Two brick chimneys that remained standing along the Boulevard de la Recherche during the redevelopment of the former ARBED steelworks site are now set to be dismantled.
According to a joint press release from the municipality of Sanem and the development company AGORA, preserving the red-brick towers would cost around €6 million. The structures are in poor condition and are not classified as protected heritage, making their conservation unjustifiable, they explained.
Over a decade ago, both chimneys were already reduced in height from 100 to 40 metres. Built in the late 1960s, the structures feature 3,800 square metres of brickwork and were part of the former Adolf-Emil steelworks at Belval, which was integrated into the ARBED group. Originally designed to withstand extreme temperatures, the chimneys have gradually deteriorated since the closure of the plant, according to the press release.
AGORA and Sanem announce in the press release that they are launching an architectural and urban planning competition to design a new neighbourhood adjacent to Belval. For this reason, the local development plan (PAG) for Sanem will also need to be revised accordingly.
