When the South of Belgium unveils its best hidden locations
Welcome to Residence Ciconia, an exceptional real estate project in Brugelette, Wallonia, developed by Sotraba and exclusively marketed by Happy Home Immo. This contemporary residence offers 26 spacious apartments nestled in a tranquil, green setting near the famous Pairi Daiza animal park and the international military headquarters SHAPE, making it an essential opportunity for investors and homebuyers alike.
Prime Location with Unique Nearby Attractions
Positioned just minutes from key transport routes (N56 and N7) and the Brugelette train station, Residence Ciconia makes daily commuting and access to essential services remarkably easy. The nearby Pairi Daiza, repeatedly awarded Europe’s best zoo, guarantees a vibrant tourism flow enhancing the area’s attractiveness. Equally, SHAPE strengthens the local economy by attracting expatriates and NATO staff in need of quality rental accommodations.
Comfort and Energy Efficiency in Every Detail
The apartments have been designed with a strong focus on comfort and sustainability. Features include:
• Acoustic and thermal insulation of class A energy rating ;
• Underfloor heating powered by efficient condensing gas boilers ;
• High-quality finishes: tiled living spaces and tile parquet bedroom ;
• Spacious private terraces or balconies ;
• Motorized ventilation systems
Why Residence Ciconia?
• Permanent tenant demand thanks to SHAPE and Pairi Daiza
• Rising rents outpacing the rest of Belgium, driving excellent rental income
• Energy-efficient, modern units (PEB A) reducing operating costs and maximizing yield.
• Long-term market appreciation as demand outpaces new supply
Brugelette : between Brussels and Lille
Brugelette sits in the green heart of Hainaut, minutes from Pairi Daiza—Belgium’s flagship tourist destination welcoming well over two million visitors annually and consistently ranked among Europe’s best zoological parks, which drives year-round activity, jobs, and housing demand in the immediate surroundings. The park’s recent expansions and high resort occupancy reinforce a steady rental market for quality apartments near the site, supporting both long-term leases and furnished rentals targeting professionals and families who want swift access to the park and regional amenities. Residents also benefit from quick links to the N56 and N7 as well as nearby train connections toward Ath, Mons, and Brussels, which underpin daily commuting convenience and support higher occupancy rates for investment properties in the commune.
SHAPE-driven demand
The residence is within an easy catchment of SHAPE’s international community, which sustains a robust pool of expatriate tenants seeking modern, energy-efficient homes with parking and outdoor spaces, a profile that matches Ciconia’s specifications and finish standards. This locational dynamic underpins resilient rent levels in Wallonia, where average rents have hit record highs in 2025, reinforcing the case for income-focused investors who value stability and upward rental pressure.
Cross-border appeal: near France
Ciconia’s positioning also taps into the Franco-Belgian corridor, with Brugelette less than 70–75 km from Lille by road and around 65–73 km depending on route, placing the residence within a comfortable commute of one of Northern France’s major employment and cultural centers. Valenciennes is also within easy reach by car at roughly 43 km driving distance via regional routes, giving residents and tenants flexible cross-border mobility for work and leisure while keeping the calm, rural lifestyle of Brugelette as a home base. This proximity expands the tenant catchment beyond Belgium, appealing to cross-border professionals who compare value, space, and living quality on both sides of the frontier.
Sotraba: a trusted builder working together with Happy Home Immo
Founded in 1981, Sotraba has grown into a recognized Walloon developer-builder with decades of delivery across apartments and houses, supported by an in-house team counted in the dozens and an active pipeline throughout the region, which reassures buyers about construction quality, durability, and after-sales support. The company’s long-standing presence and regional footprint in Wallonia, with a core base in Nivelles and projects spanning Hainaut and beyond, has established a reputation for reliable project execution and thoughtful residential design, aligning with investor expectations for risk control and long-term asset value. Public company registers corroborate Sotraba’s established corporate status and longevity, giving confidence to purchasers financing off-plan or buying new-build units.
Pairi Daiza’s economic engine
Pairi Daiza’s recent seasons have set new records in visitors and resort bookings, with strong international appeal and ongoing capital investments that ripple through the local economy in jobs, services, and accommodation demand, all of which support sustained rental interest around Brugelette. For investors, this translates into durable occupancy prospects and a meaningful premium for modern units offering comfort, energy performance, and outdoor spaces close to major attractions and transport links, exactly as provided at Residence Ciconia.
What this means for investors
A tourism and leisure anchor next door: 2.3M+ annual visitors and growing, feeding local services and rental demand across seasons.
An international tenant base: SHAPE’s presence adds steady demand from NATO personnel and contractors seeking high-quality rentals near their workplace catchment.
Cross-border connectivity: Short driving distances to Lille and Valenciennes broaden the professional pool and weekend-leisure options while preserving Walloon pricing advantages and living quality.
A trusted name behind the project: Four decades of Sotraba’s activity in Wallonia enhances confidence in build quality, delivery, and aftercare—key for capital preservation and long-term value
