Flemish Government Sells Researchpark Zellik to VUB for Development of Innovation Campus

The Flemish government has sold Researchpark Zellik to the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). With this transfer, an important step is taken toward transforming the site into a fully fledged innovation and science campus closely linked to academic research and entrepreneurship. The sale aligns with the park’s original mission to support science valleys connected to Flemish universities.

The land along the Pontbeeklaan in Asse was originally purchased in 1983 from pharmaceutical company Pfizer by what is now the Flemish Fund for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Initially, the plots were made available to knowledge-intensive companies through thirty-year leasehold agreements. After three decades, however, the business park had become outdated and underused. In response, a new land allocation plan was developed in 2016 to transform the site into a genuine science campus with research-driven companies linked to knowledge institutions, particularly the VUB.

Management of the land and financial resources was transferred to the Hermes Fund, the predecessor of today’s Fund for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. At the same time, the governance structure was reorganized: VLAIO, the municipality of Asse, and the VUB took responsibility for implementing the new policy, companies organized themselves into the Researchpark Zellik non-profit association, and an external park manager was appointed. The public domain also underwent a major upgrade, including the redevelopment of the Pontbeeklaan and surrounding areas, partly supported by VLAIO subsidies.

Within this renewed framework, companies were given the option not only to lease land but also to purchase plots. The VUB seized this opportunity to develop strategic research, development, and training infrastructure. Notable examples include the Smart Village Lab and the Nexus data center, which houses the servers of UZ Brussels, the VUB, and the new Flemish supercomputer. Vacant buildings were repurposed to host start-ups, spin-offs, and companies with strong ties to the VUB or other knowledge institutions. In addition, a 7T-MRI-scanner was installed in the former Roularta building, as part of a collaboration between four university hospitals and five Flemish universities.

With the acquisition of Researchpark Zellik, the VUB aims to reinforce its long-term ambition to further develop the site into a modern innovation and science campus. Together with partners such as VLAIO, the Department of Environment, the Department of Mobility and Public Works, the Province of Flemish Brabant, and the municipality of Asse, the university is currently working—under the guidance of the Flemish Government Architect’s team—on a master plan to shape the future development of the park.

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