About Us
Tour & Taxis is a remarkable destination in Brussels that embodies the perfect blend of history, culture, and innovation. With a captivating industrial heritage seamlessly merged with modern design, it offers diverse spaces for extraordinary events and gatherings. From expansive exhibition halls to picturesque outdoor areas, our venue provides a versatile canvas to bring any vision to life. With a dedicated team committed to excellence, we deliver exceptional event planning and management services, ensuring every detail is meticulously taken care of. Embracing innovation, Tour & Taxis serves as a hub for cutting-edge technology showcases, thought-provoking conferences, and inspiring cultural events. Experience the magic of Tour & Taxis and create unforgettable memories in our exceptional setting.
history
Back to the 16th century: Tour & Taxis, why the name?
If you want to tell the story of Tour & Taxis, you can’t ignore the history of the European post office. In 1501, Philip the Handsome appointed Northern Italian Francesco de Tassi as Postmaster of the Netherlands. Brussels was ideally situated for the de Tassi family, as it was at the center of a vast network that extended to London, Madrid, Amsterdam, and Vienna…
The first buildings
On July 22, 1900, King Leopold II declared the Tour & Taxis construction site open. The king had a particular fondness for trains. He promoted railroads far beyond the country’s borders. He was ambitious: he wanted to equip Belgium with a complete rail infrastructure to occupy a unique trading position. Based on this vision, he embraced linking ports and railroads and getting them to work together.
The Royal Depot
An imposing warehouse in eclectic style, a palace of commerce with a touch of Art Nouveau here and there, a neo-Gothic fortress. Since 1907, the Entrepôt Royal has been the jewel in Tour & Taxis’ crown. The Avenue du Port emblem is loaded with symbolism.
The SHEDS
The name of this vast warehouse annex refers to its characteristic shed or sawtooth roof. A system designed to cover large bays. As a result, the entire framework is self-supporting. And with its 17,000 m2, the vast warehouse complex is no less than three times the size of Brussels’ Grand Palace.
THE GARE MARITIME
Covering an impressive 40,000 m2, the Gare Maritime was Europe’s most extensive freight station at the beginning of the 20th century. Railway workers were only too happy to work in this symbolic setting, designed by Frédéric Bruneel, chief engineer of the railways at the time.
THE HOTEL DES DOUANES
A small palace with an essential public function. Representatives of companies and businesses came here to complete customs formalities for goods – such as cars, wines, carpets, machinery or textiles – that they had received elsewhere on the site. These were wealthy people, financially well off.
MAISON DE LA POSTE & DEPÔT DES COLIS
Near Rue Picard, the Gare Maritime is flanked by two buildings designed by the architectural duo Constant Bosmans and Henri Vandeveld. They were also responsible for the design of the Solvay Library in the Parc Léopold. These are the Maison de la Poste and the Parcels Depot.
Innovative renovations
The 1960s were Tour & Taxis’ absolute glory years. It employed around 3,000 people at the time. In 1968, the European Customs Union came into force. With this, Tour & Taxis lost its main raison d’être. The industrial heritage and the rest of the site fell into disuse, then disrepair. Over time, the SNCB and the Port of Brussels decided to sell the place.
Authentic, sustainable, positive.
Over the past two decades, Tour & Taxis has undergone a spectacular metamorphosis. What was once a vast logistics hub has been transformed into a dynamic, progressive urban district in the lively Canal Zone of Brussels. Authenticity, sustainability and positive impact are paramount. Today, Tour & Taxis is a pioneering place to live, work, shop and play.
COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY
We firmly believe in the importance of ESG criteria, which lie at the core of our commitment to a more sustainable business world.
Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria are not just words but principles that guide our vision and action. They represent our commitment to environmental preservation, the well-being of our employees, and the integrity of our corporate governance.
What’s our purpose ?
We aim for sustainable products, materials, and fair operations at all levels. We are proud to share our story with you and show how our commitment to our projects, along with our partners, leads to excellent results.