Seven Shopping Cora sites are set for a new future
14.10.26
The former Cora hypermarkets in Anderlecht, Woluwe, Rocourt, Hornu, La Louvière, Châtelineau and Messancy have undergone a thorough transformation over the past year. The former hypermarkets were stripped back and converted into individual retail units. We helped design the technical installations and supervised the works. The challenge: refurbishing seven sites almost simultaneously, whilst the adjacent shopping centres remained open.
During the refurbishment, the buildings were thoroughly modernised, with particular attention paid to sustainability. Where possible, sustainability was enhanced by, amongst other things, adding heat pumps to the existing systems. The other technical installations and fire safety measures were also brought up to current standards.
The existing systems could not simply be disconnected. The shops in the adjacent shopping arcades also relied on them and had to remain operational during the works. We therefore examined, on a site-by-site basis, how the existing and new systems could be combined as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible, always taking a holistic view of the technical aspects. For some sites, our fellow engineering consultancy Istema was also involved in the design.
The scale of the project also called for tight coordination. A team comprising the client, several architects, site-specific project managers, various specialists and a range of contractors worked simultaneously on the transformation. The limited availability of as-built information made the task even more complex. Intensive consultation on site was required to ascertain how the existing installations were constructed and connected.
A flexible framework for new retailers
The former hypermarkets were divided into separate, modular retail units. Together with the other construction partners, we provided the technical infrastructure: electrical supply, water, fibre-optic connections, heating and ventilation. Level floors, partition walls and fire-resistant compartmentalisation prepare the units for further fitting-out. Within this framework, retailers can tailor their shops to their own concepts and requirements.
The transformation is progressing at a rapid pace. Investor Mitiska REIM took over the seven sites in September 2025, and the first new shops opened their doors as early as the beginning of 2026. The project is now in its final phase. Almost all units have been let, and the retailers have either already opened their doors or are busy fitting out their shops.
Designpartners
Client: Mitiska REIM
Contractor: Group Jansen (Messancy, Anderlecht, Woluwe en Hornu fase 2)
