Aalst is selling a large part of the historic site around the town hall located in the heart of the city. The site is 1.6 hectares and is located next to the Grand Market.
The search for interested developers will begin before the summer.
The site, called the Pupillensite, is costing the city too much money, so Aalst is looking for a buyer who will use the space in a different way. There are five possible scenarios for the site's development, including a conference center with additional facilities, a hotel with meeting rooms, a restaurant, and a wellness area. There is also the possibility of an "enterprise hotspot" similar to PAKT in Antwerp, a research center like Vlerick in Ghent or the Management School in Antwerp, or an arts center like KANAL in Brussels.
The city will retain the most important parts of the site, such as the historic town hall next to the Grand Market and the mansion that used to house the mayor's office. The inner courtyard of the square Pupillensite will remain public domain.