Docks Bruxsel and Merlin Entertainments sign agreement for new, next generation LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Belgium

Docks Bruxsel shopping centre, Belgium, has secured an agreement with Merlin Entertainments to launch a next generation of its LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, with more details to be announced later this year. The 3,000m. attraction, set to open in summer 2022, has been co-created by Merlin & the LEGO Group and will occupy the space previously held by MediaMarkt, which moved indoors.

“We are delighted to be opening this new LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Belgium by partnering with Docks Bruxsel. Our LEGO themed attractions have been a huge success across the globe, providing an opportunity for adults and children to spend fun and quality time together in an awesome LEGO world. We look forward to revealing more special details over the coming months ahead of welcoming our first visitors in Summer 2022.” said Meike Lippert, Senior Divisional Director Midway Europe and Global New Openings, Merlin Entertainments.

The City of Brussels also recognises the added value of this ambitious project: “It is positive for Brussels to welcome this kind of offer, which will broaden the recreational offer along the canal, where you can already find, among others, the train museum, creating potentially interesting touristic synergies,” says Fabian Maingain, Alderman of Economic Affairs, Employment, Smart City and Administrative Simplification. “This new LEGOLAND Discovery Centre promises to be a major draw for us both on a local level and beyond, not only supporting economic recovery, but it will also bring a place of wonder for young and old.”

Additionally, the initiative should further boost the growing success of Docks Bruxsel itself, which, according to 2020 end-of-year statistics, has survived the COVID crisis relatively unscathed (last year’s footfall was 76% of the previous record year, which registered more than 5 million visitors).

“Following a challenging chapter, in which we did the impossible to guarantee the economic viability of 100% of our tenants, we couldn’t be happier to make such a big announcement. We are very much looking forward to strengthening our offer with this internationally recognised leisure attraction,” states Peter Todd, Founder & CEO of Portus Retail, co-owner of Docks. “It is completely in line with our ambition to be a ‘living centre’ rather than just a shopping centre, by proposing a complete, all-round customer experience.”