Brico Planit to join Colruyt on former Makro site

Progress is being made on the redevelopment of the former Makro site in Deurne (Antwerp). Following the announcement that Colruyt Professionals will open there on September 16, Brico Planit says it is aiming for early 2027. The DIY-chain will also begin operating the existing drive-in there.

Store and drive-In

Brico Planit has signed an agreement to occupy not only approximately 8,000 m² of retail space in the main building but also the roughly 11,000 m² drive-in for building materials, where customers can conveniently pick up bulky and heavy products.

It was announced earlier this week that Colruyt Group will open a new Colruyt Professionals location on the site on September 16, 2026. This marks significant progress in the redevelopment of the site, where the very first Belgian Makro store opened in April 1970. That store closed its doors permanently on December 30, 2022. Since then, the retail building has stood largely vacant. Part of the complex and the parking lot were temporarily used as a vehicle storage facility.

New name

The arrival of Brico Planit aligns with the site’s historical use, as there was already a separate drive-in for building materials next to the Makro department store. Soon, this part of the complex will once again serve an important purpose. Over the coming months, work will continue on the interior design, technical preparations, and further practical details.

The existing gas station will also remain operational on the site and will henceforth operate under the TINQ brand. As a result, 80% of the existing site will be redeveloped by early 2027, allowing it to return to the vibrancy it enjoyed during Makro’s heyday. The site will henceforth be known as “Ertbrugge District,” according to a press release from LCV Real Estate. The real estate investor, together with partners (including Colruyt Group), acquired the former Belgian Makro and Metro sites from Metro Properties Holding.

Avoiding vacancy

The redevelopment of the complex is proceeding in parallel with the broader vision for the site’s future. In July 2026, the Province of Antwerp began preparing the Provincial Spatial Implementation Plan for the Ertbrugge-South Triangle: this plan is intended to define the future spatial framework for the area’s economic, ecological, and mobility functions.

“With the arrival of Brico Planit and Colruyt Professionals, we are demonstrating our commitment to moving forward with this historically significant location. We are bringing new activity and employment to the site and making meaningful use of the existing real estate. At the same time, we recognize that the long-term future of this site can only be successful if it is achieved through thorough and open consultation with all relevant authorities, local residents, and other stakeholders. These developments are not an end in themselves, but a concrete step in a carefully planned path toward the future,” said Dirk Deroose, CEO of LCV Real Estate. By putting the existing building back into use in the meantime, long-term vacancy is avoided, and the location once again becomes a hub of daily activity and active employment.