From March 11th to 14th, the real estate industry players will gather as they do every year, on the Croisette in Cannes for the world's leading real estate event (Marché International des Professionnels de l'Immobilier - MIPIM). For the 23rd consecutive year, Wallonia will be present at this key event and the Wallonia Export & Investment Agency (AWEX) will have on its stand 15 co-exhibitors and present more than 60 real estate projects.
For this 2025 edition, Wallonia has chosen “Circular Economy in Real Estate” as its theme. As the world faces growing challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity and urbanization, the real estate sector is undergoing transformative changes. By 2022, buildings will account for 34% of global energy demand and 37% of energy-related CO2 emissions.
Therefore, in response to this, circularity in real estate is the Walloon theme for MIPIM 2025. This approach is essential to sustainable development, and positions Wallonia as a leader in this forward-looking movement.
Circularity in real estate means rethinking the way buildings are designed, built and operated. This transcends the traditional focus on sustainable development, with an emphasis on :
- Resource efficiency: maximize the use of materials by reusing and recycling components from existing structures.
- Durability and flexibility: design buildings to have a longer lifetime and the ability to adapt to changing needs over time.
- Waste reduction: minimize construction and demolition waste through efficient planning and execution.
- Reducing Carbon footprint: lower buildings intrinsic carbon by selecting low-impact materials and prioritizing local sourcing.
These principles are essential for an industry that consumes a significant proportion of the world's energy and contributes considerably to greenhouse gas emissions.
Circularity is not just a trend, it's the future of real estate. Wallonia is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, demonstrating how a regional commitment to sustainable practices can have global implications.
15 co-exhibitors and over 60 projects
For this 2025 edition, 15 co-exhibitors will be present on the AWEX Wallonia stand at MIPIM. These include 8 private co-exhibitors: the AAVO architectural firm, the ABN-AMRO bank, the international pioneer in the development of parks for SMEs BVI.EU, the Heylen Warehouses company, which is active in logistics and semi-industrial real estate, the Intervest company, also active in logistics real estate, and MG Real Estate, a European developer in various fields. Not forgetting the Willy Naessens Group and the family-owned Zabra. The public co-exhibitors numbered 7: BEP (Bureau Economique de la Province de Namur), GRE Liège active in the Liège provincial territory, IDEA which ensures the territorial development of 27 communes in the heart of Hainaut, IDETA active in Wallonia Picardy and IGRETEC which is in charge of the economic development of the Charleroi region. Not forgetting inBW, which is responsible for economic development in the Walloon Brabant region, and Liège Airport, which is much more than just an airport.
These 15 co-exhibitors will be presenting over 60 projects at MIPIM to the world's real estate leaders, who will be in Cannes for 4 days. Always appreciated by visitors, the Walloon stand will present the IGRETEC's model of the Biotech 5 project in Charleroi. Spread over 25,000 m², Biotech 5 will feature laboratories meeting international standards, offices, training & meeting rooms, as well as shared spaces, multi-purpose areas, coworking spaces and areas dedicated to services.
The building will be located along avenue Georges Lemaître in Gosselies, and will be composed of 4 volumes on different levels (from first floor +3 to first floor +6) due to its purpose. Two basement levels will be dedicated to parking. The EU biotech campus will occupy almost 5,000 m².
IGRETEC's Design Office was entrusted with the complete design of the building. The project's strong identity will be marked by white brickwork with rounded edges and the use of different volumetrics.
With this iconic building, that will look like a spaceship at the heart of the BioPark, the aim is to create a genuine campus and develop the spirit that goes with it, a crucial dynamic that has yet to be developed on the site.
MIPIM AWARDS 2025: Belgian nominees
Every year, the MIPIM AWARDS close the event. In 2025, three Belgian projects were nominated.
In the “Best Conversion Project” category, the jury shortlisted the Polytoren project in Zwijnaarde. This project involves the renovation of a former chemical polymer manufacturing tower, converted into a business coordination center. In addition to offices, the site features a restaurant, gym, flexible workspace, meeting rooms, auditorium, exhibition space and classrooms.
In the “Best Cultural, Sports & Education Project” category, the Egied van Broeckhovenschool project in Brussels was shortlisted by the jury. The buildings of the former Vandenheuvel brewery in Molenbeek were transformed into a Dutch-speaking school. During the design phase, the architects paid close attention to the cultural value of the industrial heritage and opted for maximum preservation of the buildings with their robust concrete structure. Converting the former factory into a school environment, however, also required to think about materials reuse and energy aspects.
In the “Best new development” category, The Hive project in Amsterdam is the fruit of a Belgian-Dutch collaboration between ION and Green Real Estate. The Hive is a sustainable project located in the Amsterdam Nieuw-West district, designed around a climate forest as tranquil green oasis in the heart of the city. In addition to 135 apartments and small houses, The Hive also offers a host of facilities including a healthcare center, an innovation incubator, a multi-purpose community hall and a fully-equipped work studio.