The monumental Brussels Palace of Justice on Place Poelaert has reached a visible milestone in its long-running restoration. The Buildings Agency (Régie des Bâtiments / Regie der Gebouwen) confirmed on Wednesday that the central portion of the front facade is now fully renovated and stripped of its metal scaffolding.

A phased restoration

The facade work is the first of four planned restoration phases. It covers the front facade, the esplanade, and the peristyle (colonnade), and began in August 2023. The programme includes cleaning, inspecting, and repairing the natural stone, plus refurbishing the wooden joinery. To preserve the building's original appearance, stone from the original quarries is being used.

“The central part of the front facade of the Brussels Palace of Justice, located on Place Poelaert, is now fully renovated and has been freed of its scaffolding.”

Progress by section

The right-hand section of the front facade was completed in May 2025. The central section has now followed. Attention has turned to the left wing, where an elevating platform for people with reduced mobility will be installed. The redevelopment of the cour d'honneur is also still underway.

What comes next

The first phase is expected to conclude in the summer of 2026, at which point the main entrance to the Palace of Justice will reopen. The public tender for the second phase, covering the facades of the dome's base, is currently being drafted and will be published later this year. Work on phase two is scheduled to begin in early 2027.

The long view

The full restoration of all facades is projected to be complete by 2035. When the scaffolding on the left wing comes down this summer, it will mark the first time in years that the entire front of one of Brussels' most recognisable buildings is visible without obstruction.