KANAL - Centre Pompidou is a museum for modern and contemporary art located in Brussels, Belgium, near the Brussels–Charleroi Canal, in the former Citroën Garage buildings.[3] The definitive opening is scheduled for 2025.[4][5][6][7] During the renovations, the museum remains open at its temporary location K1, at 1, avenue du Port/Havenlaan.[8]
The building, which is included in the inventory of architectural heritage of the Brussels-Capital Region,[9] is a former garage built for the Citroën company between 1933 and 1934 under the direction of the French architect Maurice-Jacques Ravazé [fr] with the Belgian architects Alexis Dumont [fr] and Marcel Van Goethem [fr].[10] It was modified in 1954 by Louis Hoebeke.[11]
The building occupies most of the block that is enclosed by the Square Sainctelette/Sainctelettesquare, the Quai des Péniches/Akenkaai, the Quai de la Voirie/Ruimingskaai and the Quai de Willebroeck/Willebroekkaai. The former showroom, on the corner of the Square Sainctelette and the Place de l'Yser/Ijzerplein was a single, 21-metre-high (69 ft) volume with a glass facade. In the 1950s, several floors were added to the showroom.
On 28 March 2017, the Urban Development Corporation (SAU-MSI) of the Brussels-Capital Region launched an international design competition for the €125 million conversion to a museum. The jury selected a proposal, A Stage for Brussels by noAarchitecten, EM2N and Sergison Bates architects.[12]
History
Plans for a museum by the Brussels–Scheldt Maritime Canal were first proposed in 2014. The government of the Brussels-Capital Region hoped to use works from the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, but failed to garner support for using the federal art collection.[13] In March 2015, the government of the Brussels-Capital Region and Groupe PSA reached an agreement for the sale of the site. The sale, for €20.5 million was finalized on 29 October 2015.[14] When the museum was unable to use works from the federal art collection, it partnered with the Centre Pompidou to provide artworks and knowhow.[15] The Centre Pompidou will receive €11 million for 10 years, of which €2 million will be allocated for staff in Paris.[3]
KANAL Brut
Prior to the renovation and definitive opening in 2023, KANAL - Centre Pompidou pre-opened in May 2018 with an event called KANAL Brut, curated by Bernard Blistène, with works from the collection of the Centre Pompidou and a film studio designed by Michel Gondry.[16] The museum closed for renovations in June 2019.[17]