Historic lifts have a unique heritage value: Often hidden away inside private buildings, they remain unseen to the public eye. Halfway between movable and immovable heritage, these architectural elements are precious witnesses to their times.
In 2022, thanks to significant efforts by the federal government and the regions, changes were made to the royal decree requiring the modernisation of lifts, which entailed the risk of irrevocably damaging the ancient ones.
This collaborative work between the different levels of authority has led to the following solutions:
- Historic lifts do have to be modernised to ensure their safety, but they benefit from relaxed guidelines. A number of specific technical solutions, developed in collaboration with the administrations, the lift industry, and the inspection bodies (SECT), can be put into place. In particular, electronic solutions can be used for security.
- Owners of historic lifts in Belgium have been granted additional time - until the end of 2027 - to modernise their lifts, provided they have requested and obtained a certificate proving their lifts’ historical value.
2025: A decisive year for owners of historic lifts
Drawing up a modernisation plan during the extra time granted will be of crucial importance. In practical terms, this means ordering an estimate for modernisation from a lift specialist before 31 December 2025. This step is essential if the lift is to be fully modernised by 2027.
Support
Homegrade, which has been commissioned by the Region to help co-owners with this modernisation process, offers specific support. Securing historic lifts is a delicate process, but there are now numerous examples of certified and secured lifts that have maintained their heritage value! Many solutions, some of them quite creative, have been found, including electronic ones.
If this situation applies to you, by all means contact Homegrade, who can help you gain clarity and provide support. You can find all the documentation and useful information you need, including lists of specialised craftsmen and lift mechanics, on their website:
Inventory
In Brussels, a dedicated campaign has been set up to raise awareness among lift owners about the preservation of their heritage. Simultaneously, Urban and Homegrade have drawn up a lift inventory, a meticulous effort which is still ongoing. This invaluable tool provides a record of the condition of this remarkable heritage. This inventory includes lifts that have been previously identified on the basis of criteria such as their overall value in combination with the building, authenticity, rarity or representativeness of a type or brand. This heritage includes a number of small but remarkable features, detailed in the inventory, such as the quality of the joinery, unique cabin accessories such as call buttons, special glasswork as well as the machinery, which in some cases is still original and bears witness to our industrial past.
The historic lifts inventory now includes almost 800 remarkable lifts, of which almost 420 have a certificate of historical value and 20 are listed as a monument.
There are still historic lifts in Brussels without a certificate: there is still time to request one to comply with the legislation! To find out how to register your property in the lift inventory and request a certificate, click here: link.
