Brussels historic lifts get legal extension for adjustments until 2027

Owners of historic lifts in the Brussels region have until the end of 2027 to make the necessary adjustments, Brussels State Secretary for Urban Planning and Heritage Pascal Smet said on Thursday. A new category of "historic lifts" will be included in the amended Royal Decree. 

In February last year, the Minister of Economy and Employment Pierre-Yves Dermagne and Pascal Smet announced that they were working together on a solution for the preservation of the many historic lifts in Brussels. 

“We are avoiding a huge historical mistake. Brussels, but also other Belgian cities, have many beautiful historic lifts. It would be a shame if these had to disappear. Fortunately, in very constructive cooperation with my federal colleague Pierre-Yves Dermagne, we were able to stop this just in time," ​ explains Pascal Smet. 

"Today, we have already been able to save more than 800 Brussels historic lifts by including them in our inventory. I once again call on all owners of Brussels historic lifts who have not yet done so to contact Homegrade Brussels to have the lift added to our inventory," he added.

According to existing regulations, lifts installed before 1958 should be modernized by December 31, 2022 at the latest. In reality, the standards applied in these regulations would often irrevocably lead to damage to the historical, aesthetic and technical properties of the lifts.

With the legal extension, owners of the historic lifts will not only receive an extended term until the end of 2027 to make adjustments, but also receive amended regulations. To this end, Dermagne and Smet reached an agreement with the political leaders of the other regions and the competent administrations.

The adapted regulations must guarantee the safety of users and maintenance technicians without affecting the heritage value of the lift, through the use of alternative technologies such as electronic security systems. The amendments to the Royal Decree are now submitted to various advisory federal commissions for advice.

(VIV)

© BELGA PHOTO (NILS QUINTELIER) Art Nouveau decorated elevator in Brussels