Citroën Garage
| Company type | Garage and showroom |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | October 20, 1933 |
| Fate | Ownership transferred in 2015 for museum conversion |
| Headquarters | Brussels , Belgium |
| Products | Automotive sales and service |
The Citroën Garage (; ), initially established as both a garage and showroom, is situated along the / in Brussels, Belgium. It functioned as the headquarters for Citroën Belux until 2012 and continued operating as a showroom until 2017. The structure, conceived by architects , , and , was erected between 1933 and 1934.
Early developments
In the late 1920s, the , which preceded Citroën Belux, maintained its headquarters on the / in Ixelles. To streamline its activities, Citroën opted to relocate. Maurice Ravazé selected a site positioned at the northern edge of the Pentagon—the central district of Brussels—close to the Brussels–Scheldt Maritime Canal and major railway stations. This particular location once housed a brief-lived amusement park featuring rides such as roller coasters and the .
Architectural planning and building
The modernist complex was designed by architects Dumont and Van Goethem, utilizing materials like glass, steel, and concrete, and incorporating a pioneering night illumination scheme for the showroom. The design accommodated pre-existing structures, placing the primary showroom at the intersection of Square Sainctelette/Sainctelettesquare and /. Additional constructions showcased new vehicle models and contained office spaces, while workshops occupied roughly two-thirds of the northern block. The layout ensured efficient movement for customers, staff, and suppliers.
Construction commenced on 20 October 1933 and reached completion by spring 1934. The Brussels City Council endorsed the initiative, expecting it to stimulate economic growth and rejuvenate the neighborhood.
World War II era and aftermath
During World War II, German forces seized and bombed the garage, after which Allied military vehicles utilized the premises. Following post-war restoration efforts, operations resumed in 1947 after temporary accommodations had been employed.
Mid-1900s developments
Prior to the 1958 Brussels World's Fair (Expo 58), architect Louis Hoebeke introduced a gas station along with an exhibition platform. By that year, four extra floors were added, alongside replacement of nearby buildings to enhance accessibility. Renovation works persisted through the 1960s and 1970s, culminating in consistent white facades around 1980.
Conversion into a museum
In 2015, ownership transferred to the Brussels Urban Development Corporation, aiming to transform the site into a contemporary art museum as part of efforts to revitalize the canal district. A design competition held in 2017 attracted 92 entries; the selected design paved the way for KANAL – Centre Pompidou, developed through cooperation among the Brussels Region, Paris' Centre Pompidou, and .