Like many major cities, Brussels has a primarily service driven economy. The infrastructure of the city suits this economy well, with many high quality office buildings purposely built for white collar workers.

Brussels also is a centre of industry, as it has been for over a century. Manufacturing and production of goods are concentrated in specific areas and receive strong support from the Brussels Capital Region.

» Five Office Zones

The “Pentagon”  is the name given to the inner city of Brussels, which is circled by a road that has a pentagonal shape. It is also known locally as the “petite ceinture”. The inner city is easily accessible by public transport and contains the major hotels and large shopping districts. This is where government, big business and the large financial institutions have their offices. The North District is a few minutes walk from the city centre. Known as the “Le Quartier Nord”, the area around Brussels’ Nord station was targeted for development ten years ago. The areas around Boulevard Albert II have become a prime location for the headquarters of large multinational corporations, as well as Belgian companies. As Brussels has grown in international importance as the capital of Europe, the Leopold District, or the  “European area”, has expanded exponentially and now crosses the borders of other neighbourhoods. This is where EU institutions are housed, as well as embassies and non-governmental institutions. The Louise District is considered the poshest shopping district in the city and houses some of the most prestigious businesses in Europe. This long beautiful avenue extends from Porte Louise  to Bois de la Cambre. Here you will find the most expensive residential neighbourhood in the city, upmarket department stores, as well as law firms, PR companies, advertising agencies and other service-orientated companies. Other more decentralised areas that suit a company headquarters or regional office, are spread out primarily along the Boulevard du Souverain, Chausee de la Hulpe or Boulevard du Triomphe .

» The Industrial Areas

Industrial companies and warehouses are largely situated in the urban industrial zones, made of the Erasme area (West of Brussels), the North Ring area and the the Brussels harbour zone.

These areas are defined by the Regional Ground Plan (only French version) 

In all these areas, the Brussels Regional Development Agency develops and manage industrial buildings, available to companies, under certain conditions, at very competitive rates.