B-Brussels: Property prospecting notice for 2025 pertaining to the property market - Forecasts of the multiannual property needs for the years 2027 to 2032 of the European Commission in the North Quarter in Brussels, and prospecting of the local market.

GENERAL INFORMATION The purpose of this notice is to inform property market participants, and any other interested parties, of the European Commission's forecasted property needs in Brussels, and in order to collect information on projects and properties which could meet those needs. As part of the implementation of the European Green Deal and the reduction of CO2 emissions, the buildings sought will have to meet the highest environmental criteria as a matter of priority. BUILDINGS SOUGHT – OFFICE BUILDINGS The European Commission is looking for office space in Brussels in order to meet its needs for the 2027-2032 period. The European Commission is looking for office space in Brussels, located no more than 1 km from the axis of the metro line between Botanique station and Yser station, towards the Gare du Nord. The total above-ground surface area sought for the 2027-2032 period, in order to the replace the buildings at the end of their life cycle or for which the lease is set to expire, is estimated at up to 100 000 m². The actual needs will be determined on the basis of the outcome of ongoing negotiations, as well as the negotiations to be conducted as part of the renewal of agreements which will expire in the coming years. The buildings sought are those with a gross above-ground surface area of at least 20 000 m² for offices (if a building is made up of several separate parts, at least one of them should have a gross above-ground surface area of at least 10 000 m²). Preferably, they will be entirely and exclusively occupied by the European Commission services, and/or other European institutions and/or bodies. The European Commission favours taking up occupancy under a usufruct lasting 15 years, but may also consider acquisitions or other forms of tenure. The proposed buildings should, if possible, be able to accommodate catering and cafeteria spaces for European Commission staff, in relation to the building’s capacity, as well as areas for ancillary services. Ideally, buildings should reach ZEB (Zero Emission Buildings) standards, namely: very high energy performance with an EPB of approximately 60 kWh EP/m²/year); zero on-site carbon emissions from fossil fuels (without heating by gas boilers) and using the renewable energy potential available on-site. The buildings in question must have an enforceable planning permit. DIRECTIVES REGARDING SUSTAINABILITY As part of its buildings policy and its greening , the European Commission aims to generally occupy buildings which are of very high quality in terms of their environmental performance, especially in terms of carbon neutrality. This approach is part of the European Commission's ‘New European Bauhaus’ initiative. The European Commission focuses in particular on the following aspects: - limiting greenhouse gas emissions over the entire life cycle of the materials chosen (for construction, distribution, use and recovery of waste (circular economy)); - the health and well-being of the occupants; - high energy performance, ZEB (Zero Emission Building) standards, zero on-site carbon emissions from fossil fuels and zero or near-zero greenhouse gas emissions; - sustainable use of natural resources and materials, based on the principle of flexibility and resilience to climate change; - efficient management of water consumption; - protection and promotion of biodiversity. TECHNICAL GUIDELINES Regarding the technical aspects of buildings: - The building must comply with the legislation in force, at least until the date of submission of the planning permission application. - The technical performance standards to be achieved and the characteristics the building should have will be included in the tender specification, which will be provided by the European Commission. This specification will be adapted to each project following an analysis of quantifiable criteria concerning in particular comfort, safety, health and hygiene, accessibility, and the environment.. AIMS OF THE PROSPECTION This prospection aims to collect proposals for office buildings that could meet the needs of the European Commission in the areas indicated above. To this end, owners or their representatives are encouraged to fill out, as best as possible, the prospecting form which is available in the ‘Contracts and public procurement – Property prospecting notice’ section of the website indicated above.