The site, known as LionCity II, is located in the Brussels commune of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, in the heart of the Osseghem district. It is part of the Brussels Region's Urban Revitalisation Zone, which includes the most vulnerable neighbourhoods where public investment is being stepped up. It borders the Gare de l'Ouest site, a vast 13-hectare railway brownfield that is part of the Master Development Plan and an Urban Renovation Contract aimed at its development. The proximity of the two sites of Gare de l'Ouest and LionCity II and the planned links between them should be stressed (in particular the pedestrian link from LionCity II to the Gare de l'Ouest brownfield site via the Place Beekkant which is currently being refurbished.

The LionCity II site is located in an area with excellent public transport links. More specifically, the site was occupied until 2019 and for almost 150 years by the Ahold-Delhaize group, known for developing and operating supermarkets in Belgium. The site is part of a complex of around 4.4 hectares acquired by citydev.brussels and comprising two distinct sections (LionCity I zone and LionCity II zone). The project aims to redevelop the LionCity II area with a mixed-use programme that is exemplary in terms of sustainability and includes the future Cité du Cirque.

Expected Land Use:
Develop and partially finance a mixed programme (minimum 7,500 sqm of floor area) and open spaces comprising:

• housing (minimum 4,000 sqm, with at least 50% subsidised);
  
• public amenities (minimum needed for the ‘Cité du Cirque’/UP Circus: 1,100 sqm for a stage infrastructure and minimum 2,500 sqm for a training area);
  
• shops or other facilities (where possible) aiming to stimulate circular economy and green services;
  
• open spaces that encourage soft mobility and green spaces (private and public, including the pedestrian walkway to Beekkant metro station).
  

• citydev.brussels wishes to retain ownership of the land and buildings used for public programming (Cité du cirque facilities).
  
• The subsidised housing is sold by citydev.brussels to the buyers (see internal procedure), and the corresponding share of the land is either transferred under a long lease or sold to the buyers by citydev.brussels.
  
• The shops can be transferred under a long-term lease or a possible sale, as long as it does not generate co-ownership with citydev.brussels.
  The land for any non-subsidised housing can be sold as long as it does not generate co-ownership of the land with citydev.brussels.