Lioncity: the transition of the former Delhaize bottling plant

Today, when you enter the Lioncity grounds, you find yourself in a place that embodies both the past, the present, and the future. The site, which once belonged to Delhaize, housed, among other things, the bottling plant and distilled spirits, thus playing an important role in the company's development into the supermarket we know today. Strategically located near the railway line and the canal, the site was part of the industrial network that has shaped Molenbeek since the 19th century. The warehouses, logistics buildings, and robust constructions testify to an architecture entirely at the service of efficiency, production, and distribution. Temporality as a strategy Today, Lioncity is temporarily occupied under the leadership of Entrakt, which opens up the industrial heritage to cultural, social, and economic initiatives. The former halls have hosted projects such as Volta, Groot Eiland, a parkour hall, a second-hand store, and a café. The site also houses the Delhaize museum, which allows visitors to discover the history of the supermarket chain and its production activities. The current layout respects the robust industrial architecture, thus allowing the past to remain visible while new functions bring the site back to life. At the same time, Lioncity is looking to the future. In the longer term, housing and small industries will be developed here; permit applications for this transformation are underway. The current phase serves as a transition period during which the site is tested as part of urban life. During this visit, you will see how the architecture of the former Delhaize site not only reflects the industrial past of Molenbeek but also offers a framework for future urban development.