Union Investment completes refurbishment of “The Precedent” office building in Brussels
by CIJ News iDesk III 
2025-06-05 
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Union Investment has finalized the comprehensive modernization of “The Precedent,” an office and commercial building located in Brussels. Originally constructed in 1988, the building underwent a complete refurbishment and extension overseen by YUGENING Architecture. The project, involving an investment of approximately EUR 43 million, has upgraded the property to meet modern standards for user comfort, technical performance, and sustainability. “The Precedent” has been part of the UniInstitutional European Real Estate portfolio since 2004. According to Laurence Simillon, Director of Union Investment’s Belgian branch, the refurbishment delivers a combination of user well-being and operational efficiency. The building now hosts two restaurants, Mimi and Samourai, on its ground floor, adding dining options to its mixed-use offering. The modernization retained the original concrete structure for environmental reasons and introduced a new timber-constructed section. The property features nine floors of flexible office spaces, with four floors connected by large staircases designed to enhance natural lighting and provide views over Brussels. The fully glazed facades incorporate dynamic glass panels that adjust their transparency based on sunlight intensity, maximizing daylight use while offering thermal and visual comfort without traditional blinds. The Precedent meets passive house standards (EPB Brussels 2015) and has achieved BREEAM Excellent and WELL Gold certifications, reflecting its sustainability and user health focus. Located in the Ixelles/Elsene district, a mixed-use area in the south of Brussels, the building benefits from a prominent position on Avenue Louise, offering convenient access to public transport and city amenities.