Roelevard
New life to the old railway station district of Roeselare

The mixed-used project is in the center of the Flemish Municipality, adjacent to the Roeselare central train station. As the station once divided the city, with an above-ground rail line that left few crossing points, the new complex strengthens an existing small pedestrian tunnel highlighting connections of the green area at the front of the station to the currently undeveloped grounds behind the railway tracks, tying the two parts of the city back together.

The design integrates residential apartments, office spaces, commercial units, and an underground parking facility. It comprises 81 apartments, 6,000 square meters of office space, 650 square meters of retail space, an underground garage with 144 parking spots, 82 storage rooms, 288 private bicycle stalls, and a public bicycle parking area for 60 bikes.

As Roeselare has experienced a significant revival as an urban area in recent years, the need for city streets, recreational areas, and meeting places increases. More than half of the ground floor building area is given to retail to enhance public services further, and is blending into Roeselare’s shopping street, forming a retail axis running from the market square all the way to Roelevard.

The two buildings are shaped to be in harmony with the urban topography. The south building includes the tallest part of the complex with 12 floors on the most urban edge of the site, nearest the central train station, while the tower on the northern part of the site reaches only 4 floors to match its immediate less urban residential neighbors.

The façades are thoughtfully articulated to reduce perceived mass and bulk, with treatments tailored to the distinct functions of retail, office, and residential areas. At street level, retail spaces feature expansive glazing to foster transparency and engagement with the surrounding urban plazas. The office façades above are rendered in a more opaque and uniform style, reflecting their inward, work-focused character. On top, the residential levels are designed with a textured and porous aesthetic, incorporating generous, visible terraces that encourage social interaction and foster connections between residents and the broader urban fabric of Roeselare.

Roelevard's urban plazas are designed to provide destination-worthy amenities for the public, including a generous amphitheater that overlook the city center.

Shared and easily accessible urban areas are prioritized throughout the site. At ground level, clusters of trees with integrated seating invite not just passage, but also use — offering a place to sit, pause, or meet others.

As the 46-metre tall tower already is a true landmark, Roelevard also boasts a 2,141 square meter green roof, as well as planted patios on the outside of the apartments, creating a stair-step effect in the tapering high-rise.