ZIN crowned “World’s Best Tall Building 2025” by the Council on Vertical Urbanism

The ZIN building has been named “World’s Best Tall Building 2025” by the Council on Vertical Urbanism (CVU), often described as the “Oscars of skyscrapers.” The award was announced at the prestigious CVU Awards ceremony in Toronto (Canada), where Brussels stood out among strong contenders from Asia, Dubai, Sydney, and Amsterdam. ZIN also won in the categories “Best Tall Building Europe” and “Best Tall Building 100–199 meters.”
An example of sustainable redevelopment
Developed by Befimmo and designed in collaboration with Jaspers-Eyers Architects, 51N4E, and l’AUC, ZIN is part of an ambitious urban transformation initiative. By reinventing the former WTC towers in BXNord, the northern district of Brussels, ZIN is breathing new life into an iconic 1970s complex and converting it into a mixed-use vertical neighbourhood combining offices, housing, hotels, public spaces and green areas.
By retaining more than 60% of the existing structure and incorporating innovative solutions - double facades, passive ventilation, integrated solar panels - ZIN is establishing itself as a European benchmark for large-scale adaptive reuse and decarbonisation in the construction sector.
International recognition
With three CVU Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of skyscrapers”, ZIN has established itself as one of the world's best examples of sustainable and innovative high-rise construction. By transforming an existing building into a true vertical ecosystem, the project illustrates Brussels' ability to compete with major international cities in terms of sustainable architecture and urban redevelopment.
The jury praised ZIN as a ‘prototype of regenerative density’: a building that stacks not only spaces, but also nature, social interaction and public accessibility at height.
A pioneer leading the way
Beyond the international recognition of Brussels and its stakeholders, this distinction confirms Befimmo's ambition, as explained by Jean-Philip Vroninks, CEO of Befimmo:
"For Befimmo, ZIN is a pioneering project that demonstrates our ambition to combine sustainability, multifunctionality and urban renewal. The fact that this project is now recognised worldwide is a huge recognition for our team, our partners and our end users."
"With ZIN, we wanted to prove that existing buildings are not obsolete, but can be reborn as real urban neighbourhoods. This international recognition shows that Brussels is at the forefront of sustainable urban development," says John Eyers, CEO of Jaspers-Eyers Architects, on behalf of the design team.
With the Flemish Government as the main tenant of the offices, The Standard Hotel for accommodation, as well as Habyt residential units and public facilities that connect the neighbourhood to the city, the ZIN building demonstrates the relevance of a new approach to urban development, resolutely focused on functional diversity and sustainability.