DE GROOTSTE RESTAURATIE IN DE GESCHIEDENIS VAN DE VOORUIT
About heritage, sustainability, UNESCO and how a building from 1913 serves as a modern arts center.
RESTORATION OF DE VOORUIT (2020-2035)
The restoration of our gigantic building is a long-term project,with different parts of the building tackled in successive phases. After urgent restorations to the rear facade and the southern tower during the pandemic, the second phase of the restoration is now complete: the full renovation of the front section along Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat.
The Ghent people's house from 1913 is back in all its glory. Since work began in August 2024, the entire front section has undergone 17 months of intensive renovation. The facade was thoroughly restored and cleaned, the Ballroom, the Dom Hall, the café, the central staircase, and three rehearsal studios for artists were given a major refresh.
Focus on heritage, accessibility, safety, and sustainability
The building has been significantly restored to the original plans of architect Ferdinand Dierkens. After historical color research, the original colors were reinstated. A color had to be determined for no less than 226 elements and places. Wallpaper and historical ceilings were reconstructed based on archival material. Wood imitation paintings were executed, parquet floors were restored, chandeliers were polished and restored, historical tiles were replaced and supplemented, wooden joinery was repaired, older invasive interventions were removed, and everything was returned to its original state.
Everywhere where new additions were necessary, these stand separate from the monumental building: the elevator shaft is completely detached from the historical facades, and modern lighting and sound installations were executed in stylish black.
The largest intervention is the integration of a large new elevator that brings the public and sets from the entrance area to the Balzaal and the Domzaal. Previously, these were only accessible via two separate and smaller elevators. VIERNULVIER has been a pioneer in the field of accessibility for years. Significant accessibility interventions were also carried out in the Theaterzaal and the Concertzaal. During this restoration, much attention was paid to the accessibility of sanitary facilities for the public and boxes for artists. The ticket counter has been renewed.
During the restoration of De Vooruit, sustainability, audience comfort, safety, and accessibility are continuously taken into account. A highlight will be the brand-new elevator, located in a new standalone shaft, which will transport artists and visitors from the entrance area directly to the Balzaal and Domzaal in one go.
Additionally, new ventilation units will be installed, along with a heat pump boiler. We will raise the handrail of the central staircase and replace plastic skylights with triple-glazed ones. Furthermore, we will install a theater technical lifting system with self-traveling trusses (a suspension system for lights, speakers, and curtains).
To maximize the safety of visitors, the ventilation capacity in the halls has been significantly increased. An additional emergency exit has been built via a new impressive walkway for the evacuation of the Dom Hall, and in the stairwell, the stair railings have been raised as fall protection. In the same Dom Hall, there has been an investment in motor-controlled trusses, which drastically facilitates the technical conversion of the hall and increases safety for the technicians.
In terms of energy efficiency, diluted double glazing has been installed, heat recovery from air units and high-voltage cabins has been implemented, and massive investments have been made in LED lighting.
New spectacular stained glass window
VIERNULVIER is a venue for performing arts, music, debate and nightlife, but also integrates work by visual artists wherever possible. One example is the 343m² tiled floor by artist Christophe Hefti from 2019 in the entrance area, which can now be viewed again. This time, after a limited call for submissions, we asked artist Sanderjan Cornelis to design a 22 m² stained-glass window for the Brugzaal. He created a spectacular work using 3,500 pieces of glass, which depicts the interaction between the 330,000 people who visit De Vooruit every year and the venue itself.
On the way to becoming UNESCO World Heritage
On Friday, January 23, 2026, Flemish Minister of Immovable Heritage Ben Weyts, Danish Minister of Culture Jakob Engel-Schmidt, and Australian Minister for the Environment Hon Murray Watt nominated De Vooruit as UNESCO World Heritage at the headquarters in Paris. This was also done for and together with Broken Hill Trades Hall in Broken Hill, Australia, Victorian Trades Hall in Melbourne, Australia, and the Workers' Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Cost
“The total cost of this restoration phase amounts to € 10,370,000. Of this, 44% was paid by the Flemish Community (Agency for Immovable Heritage and Department of Culture), 26% by the city of Ghent, and 30% by VIERNULVIER. The highly appreciated and necessary support from the city and the Flemish Community shows that VIERNULVIER and its main location De Vooruit are significant for the city and Flanders.” - Franky Devos, general coordinator VIERNULVIER
Entrance Area and Elevator
The entrance area on Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat has been thoroughly renovated: the old elevator has been removed and where the ticket counter used to be, you now enter the new elevator, which connects all levels up to the Domzaal and can transport up to 30 people at a time. To the left of the elevator is a brand new reception and ticket counter.
Ballroom
The Ballroom also received a thorough makeover. The ceiling was restored, and the original colors were reapplied in the center of the hall, while the woodwork and wallpaper regained their former glory.
The technical installation was updated with black truss, including cable tracks to tidy up the wiring, and a large new ventilation unit now ensures the correct temperature.
The old - too small and perpetually clogged - sanitary block was removed and relocated to a brand new restroom (with double capacity) in the bridge hall, where a spacious cloakroom/locker area was also set up. The freed-up space was filled with more room behind the scenes: a fully equipped catering kitchen with a cold storage room and additional storage space.
Dance Studio, Music Studio, and Central Staircase
On the floor just below the Domzaal, the focus was primarily on renovation and safety: after extensive color research, the original colors - including wood imitation - were reapplied. The sanitary block at the central staircase was completely renovated, and additional smoke detection and sprinklers were installed to further ensure safety.
Domzaal and foyer
The Domzaal has been thoroughly renovated: a motorized rigging system, a new ventilation unit, a curtain rail that transforms the hall into a black box, redesigned boxes, new smoke detection, and above all, daylight again through the skylights on the sides.
The foyer of the Domzaal has also been redesigned: additional passages to the new elevator and the hall, new furniture (including lockers), and a strikingly restored historical light fixture.