Westland Shopping Center in Brussels has been transformed into a 15,000 m² hub that blends retail excellence with sustainability. From underground parking and geothermal energy to biodiversity-focused landscaping and wooden façades, every detail has been carefully designed with sustainability and functionality in mind. With a BREEAM Excellent rating and active ESG initiatives, the project proves that commercial spaces can drive both community engagement and environmental impact.
Reconnecting People, Urban Life and Nature
For several decades, Westland Shopping Center has been one of the best-known shopping centres in Brussels and the surrounding area. After the expansion, the centre covers 15,000 square metres and now houses 110 shops open to customers six days a week. With around 7 million visitors each year, Westland is one of Belgium’s major shopping centres.
With the Westland project, we pursue a clear strategy. On the one hand, a strong commercial retail real estate project, and on the other, a clear focus on sustainability and ESG. Looking at the construction project itself, Westland aims to create a link between the urban area inside the Brussels ring and the Pajottenland outside the ring. We want to bring the Pajottenland onto the site. We do this by moving car parks underground and by focusing on biodiversity, including walking paths across the site.
Finally, the front façades also reflect this approach. We chose a wooden finish, bringing the nature of the Pajottenland back onto the site..
When renovation meets sustainability
On a technical level, Westland has also undergone several sustainable upgrades. Alongside standard measures such as insulation and a new building management system, we are proud of the geothermal system installed underground. This allows much of the site’s energy to be produced on site.
All these measures come together this year, and we are proud to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating.
Sustainability meets responsability
ESG goes beyond technical measures or sustainability performance alone. For us, ESG also means investing in the local community in and around the centre. We work with local associations and sports clubs in the region. We also work closely with our tenants on sustainability, this includes a tenants’ committee. This is a discussion group where tenants share and align their sustainability initiatives.
Finally, we use a Green Lease, setting clear agreements with tenants on energy performance, energy management and sustainability investments.
Meaningful impact beyond ESG
The Westland project shows that we can create not only an attractive shopping environment, but also a positive sustainability impact for the surrounding area.
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Sam Perneel
Head of Asset Management Office & Retail I AG Real Estate
AG Real Estate is the real estate subsidiary of AG Insurance and the real estate consultant of Ageas. We aspire to manage a portfolio of diversified assets as an integrated operator in an optimal and sustainable manner. AG Real Estate believes that the real estate and construction industry have a long term impact on climate change. Therefore we are convinced that we have to work together and engage with the industry to share best practices and create a common language.