A Place Suspended Between History and Creation
Perched on a bridge above the tracks, framed by old bricks and iron beams, the Jazz Station has found its home. Long before it echoed with the sounds of jazz and artistic exploration, this building welcomed the comings and goings of Brussels’ rail travelers. Built atop a raised platform on the former shooting grounds of the Dailly barracks, it remains one of the rare examples of an elevated railway station in Belgium — both practical and bold in its design.
Its architecture is a true testament to elegance: a blend of Flemish Neo-Renaissance and Brabant Baroque styles, visible in the sculpted portal, gabled façade, and ornate window frames. The building has been officially listed as a protected heritage site since 1996, both for its striking design and the memory it holds.
Construction began in 1868, based on plans by engineers H. Joniaux and V. Maillet from the Ministry of Agriculture, Industry, and Public Works. The station opened in 1885, serving the Brussels-Namur-Luxembourg railway line, connecting Brussels North with the European Quarter. But with the 20th century came shifting technologies, and the rise of the tramway gradually overtook the rail network. The station stopped welcoming passengers and shifted to freight, before being entirely abandoned after World War I.
For decades, the building sat in silence, sometimes privately occupied, mostly forgotten. Until 2003, when everything changed. The Belgian National Railway Company granted a long-term lease to the municipality of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. The vision was championed by mayor Jean Demannez, and brought to life thanks to support from the Brussels Region and the European Commission.
A meticulous restoration followed: the red brick façades regained their brightness, the roof was renewed, and the rear iron gallery once again caught the light. The past was honored — but the future moved in. This building, steeped in history, reopened as a cultural space ready to welcome music, artists, and ideas.
And so the Jazz Station was born.
