North Light & Pole Star

The Challenge

The project involved the development of a new real estate complex on a greenfield site near Brussels North Station, consisting of two towers—North Light and Pole Star. Each tower rises 14 stories above ground, with two underground levels, covering a total of approximately 86,000 m². In addition to office spaces, the complex includes a 330-seat auditorium, a kitchen and 700-seat restaurant, and 400 underground parking spaces. The challenge was to deliver a high-performance, sustainable corporate headquarters that would meet the evolving needs of ENGIE (formerly GDF SUEZ), while setting new standards in energy efficiency and environmental design.

The Solution

Tractebel provided full engineering consultancy services for the technical equipment and energy design of the buildings, supporting the project through all phases—from preliminary design to final acceptance. The towers were designed to achieve both HQE and BREEAM environmental certifications, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainability. After the buildings became operational (North Light in 2011 and Pole Star in 2014), Tractebel continued its involvement by monitoring energy consumption, auditing existing systems, identifying key performance parameters, and supporting the operations team in implementing corrective technical measures to further enhance energy efficiency.

The Impact

The North Light and Pole Star towers have become a benchmark for sustainable office development in Belgium. As ENGIE’s Belgian headquarters, the complex demonstrates how innovative engineering and environmental performance can go hand in hand. Tractebel’s ongoing energy monitoring and optimization efforts ensure that the buildings continue to operate efficiently, reducing environmental impact while supporting occupant comfort and operational excellence.