De Kazerne Ghent

The historic Leopold Barracks in Ghent has undergone a profound transformation in recent years, evolving from a 19th-century military bastion into an open urban district. What was once a closed enclave is now an inviting urban quarter where public facilities, housing, work and social interaction come together around a new green neighbourhood park.

At the heart of the two-hectare site lies the redesigned Paradeplein, one of the largest, and until recently hidden, squares in Ghent. The former paved inner courtyard has been replaced by an accessible neighbourhood park that connects seamlessly to the surrounding streets and public spaces. Located on Ghent’s inner ring road, opposite Citadel Park and embedded in the museum and arts district, the site is now connected to a network of public spaces and cultural institutions such as S.M.A.K., MSK, STAM and the Bijloke site.

In addition to the new Provincial Government Building of East Flanders, De Kazerne comprises a mix of apartments, houses, ateliers, classrooms, a childcare centre and a hotel.

From defensive stronghold to permeable urban district
The Leopold Barracks was constructed at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century as a walled military complex in a romantic-eclectic style, designed by architects de Noyette and Geerling. After the Second World War, the site lost its military function: part came into municipal ownership, while another part remained with the Ministry of Defence. The reconversion brief was clear: to open up and transform a heavily fortified complex, complete with high walls, towers, battlements and loopholes, into an inviting urban quarter. The design team strategically breached the closed pentagonal perimeter and made the site permeable. A public square along Charles de Kerchovelaan opens De Kazerne towards Citadel Park and the ring road, while the former parade ground was redesigned as a publicly accessible neighbourhood park.

A layered programme
The new programme of De Kazerne follows the pentagonal layout of the former military complex. Along Charles de Kerchovelaan, opposite Citadel Park, stands the new Provincial Government Building of East Flanders, while the JAM Hotel is housed in the rear wing. Perpendicular to this, apartments are accommodated in the two historic buildings enclosing the parade square. New townhouses complete the residential programme along Eekhoutstraat and Kattenberg. A sunken patio, centrally positioned within the square, houses workshops and logistical functions, with a multi-level underground car park beneath. The site also accommodates offices, classrooms and a childcare centre, all integrated within the existing structures.

Several green spaces form the beating heart of the project. The landscaped Paradeplein occupies a central position and represents one of the most important interventions. The formerly paved inner space has been transformed into a calm green urban room, used by residents, hotel guests, passers-by and provincial employees alike. Along the residential wings, two collective gardens, located between the historic buildings and the new ground-level houses at the edges of the site, create green intermediate zones that stimulate social interaction. Together with the new forecourt, they form a fine-grained network of public and semi-public spaces.

Provincial Government Building
Sergison Bates architects and 360 architecten designed the Provincial Government Building as a rich mix of spaces within the existing southern wing and a new extension, seamlessly blending historic and contemporary structures. The building brings together a wide range of functions: from a café-bistro, auditorium and council chamber to offices for the provincial administration, training and meeting rooms, and a public information point for the Ministry of Defence. On the ring road side, the building introduces a new public route linking the forecourt with the inner garden.

Residential
The residential development, designed by B2Ai, focuses on shared use and collective facilities. The 80 apartments and 10 family houses feature communal roof terraces, gardens and a shared workshop space in the basement. These amenities contribute to a living environment where neighbours naturally encounter one another. Combined with the childcare centre, hotel and neighbourhood park, this creates a social and lively residential environment for a wide range of users and generations.

Hotel
The third JAM Hotel opened in the rear wing on Gaspar de Craeyerstraat, also renovated by B2Ai. Under the artistic direction of Lionel Jadot, this interior design project, comprising 107 rooms, a restaurant and a rooftop bar, combines military heritage with circular design principles.

This programmatic diversity turns De Kazerne into a small city in its own right. Activity takes place both during the day and in the evening: from working and learning to living, staying and relaxing. The mix of ages, uses and functions generates a dynamic rhythm throughout the day.

Heritage as the foundation of a future-oriented district
The entire site, comprising approximately 44,000 m² of above-ground programme, is listed in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage. The reconversion is rooted in respectful reuse and the reinforcement of the existing architecture. The design team adopted a strategy of repair, cutting and addition: historic structures were retained and restored, new openings increased accessibility and permeability, and carefully positioned new volumes complete the ensemble without overpowering it.

Sustainably developed – with an ambition for BREEAM Excellent
Buildings and façades were insulated to the maximum extent without compromising heritage value. Geothermal energy supplies the Provincial Government Building, which is also prepared for connection to a district heating network. Rainwater is collected, infiltrated with delay and reused where possible. De-sealed inner areas and carefully designed planting increase infiltration capacity and promote biodiversity. The above-ground space is entirely car-free, complemented by generous bicycle parking and underground logistics. The sustainability trajectory for the Provincial Government Building follows BREEAM guidelines, with the ambition of achieving BREEAM Excellent certification.

Today, the renewed De Kazerne is a fully fledged urban district that once again occupies a meaningful place in Ghent’s collective memory. Valuable heritage, green outdoor spaces, accessible public services, sustainable tourism, housing for multiple generations and sustainable building systems come together within this open urban block. The result is a layered, diverse yet calm urban place in the heart of Ghent, where past and future intertwine.