Saint-Gilles has just inaugurated a new community space including nine residential homes, a crèche and a park which is open to all.
'Mairesse Garden' opened its gates on 3 July. The Garden is just off Rue de l'Hôtel de Monnaies and is accessible via this street and via Rue Coenen. The project marks the end of the Parvis-Morichar Sustainable Neighbourhood Contract (CQD) between the Brussels-Capital Region, the municipality of Saint Gilles and local residents, aiming to improve the housing offering and public areas in between Place Morichar and the Parvis de Saint-Gilles.
Mairesse Garden "will address some of the key concerns of local residents: affordable public housing, a strengthened early childhood service and the consolidation of the municipality's green network," said Saint-Gilles Mayor Jean Spinette (PS).
Three of the nine new homes enjoy a "zero energy" model and all residences are fitted with solar panels. 17 bicycle parking spaces have also been provided.
What was once Coenen Park is now Joséphine Hortense Mairesse Park, named after the municipality's first ever female teacher by the students of Saint-Gilles College. The 900m2 green space (plus a playground) will be open to the public, while the crèche has capacity for 28 children living in the area.
Credit: citydev.brussels / Serge Brison
The youngsters will face out onto a mural designed by artist Dulk via the art collective All About Things. Citydev.brussels (the public body leading the renovation) has commissioned urban artists for residential projects since 2021.
Saint-Gilles' CQD has entailed the transformation of Place Marie Janson, Hélène De Rudder Garden and Pierre Paulus Park, all areas in between Place Morichar and the Parvis. €7.1 million was invested in Mairesse Garden, the final installment. Citydev.brussels owns the property and will lease the homes to tenants.
