A reused 1894 building with a publicly accessible Arena at its heart, blending heritage and city life.
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The Wintercircus is the careful reuse of a historic building from 1894 that stood empty for years before being renovated into a multifunctional site combining workspaces, hospitality and public meeting spaces. The renovation deliberately preserved and reintegrated existing structures and architectural elements, including the former horse stables and ramps, in line with the principles of circular construction. At the heart of the site sits the Arena, conceived as a covered, publicly accessible ‘market square’ where visitors, entrepreneurs and the wider public can meet, linger and connect. By placing this multifunctional gathering space at the centre of the building, the Wintercircus turns its central volume into shared urban territory rather than a purely private venue.
Sustainability added value: Reusing an existing building avoids the substantial CO₂ emissions and material waste tied to demolition and new construction, while keeping the area’s built heritage and identity intact. Combined with a centrally located, freely accessible Arena, this approach turns the Wintercircus into both a low-impact intervention and an active contributor to inclusive urban life in Ghent.