Property for sale in Brussels

As the self-proclaimed "capital" of an enlarged EU, Brussels is witnessing a housing boom, particularly in the European Quarter.

It may not have the architectural chic of Paris or speculative edge of London, but the property for sale scene in Brussels is really hotting up and none more so than the area known as the European Quarter. Get more information on property for sale in Belgium.

By 2008-09 almost 1,000 new homes are to be built in the area of the city which houses most of the EU institutions. These homes will be spread over 11 building sites.

The construction work will provide residential accommodation for the scores of people who have moved to live and work in Brussels since the EU expanded in 2004.

Back then, no one was really sure exactly how big an impact the entry of a substantial part of the former Soviet bloc would have on the property for sale scene in Brussels. The European Quarter has become a highly-sought after area

Fewer still knew how much money diplomats from, say Slovenia or Poland, would have to spend on property for sale.

Many of the homes under construction will be luxury apartments and this could appeal to EU employees who are in a "privileged" position because of the generous salaries many of them command.

It means the rapidly rising cost of property for sale in Brussels — and the average price of a two-bedroom property for sale in the European Quarter will be nearly EUR 400,000 — is of little concern to them.