The UNESCO world heritage listed Belfry and Hall of Cloths of Ypres, home of two museums, will be completely renovated due to a so called 'meerjarenpremie' (MJPO), a special financial agreement made by the Flemish government. For the next seven years, each year a part of the exterior will be restored. During the complete restoration, both it's two museums will remain open to the public.

The Hall of Cloths, although largely reconstructed after World War II, still is the biggest public building in Western Europe, built in the gothic style. Stability issues on parts of its Belfry towers urged restoration.

The first construction site started in 2020. During this phase, the Belfry will be restored. A key intervention will be the complete dismantling and reconstruction of the tower of the Belfry which has been too structurally disintegrated due to humidity and insects. A technical both as a challenge which will let the iconic skyline of the city of Ypres look differently until 2022.

The project includes the restoration of the facades and roofs, as well as the window and door joinery. The opportunity is taken to integrate sustainable and ecological options that will greatly reduce the monument's energy need. As it remains open all time, the restoration is a logistic challenge as well.