The new structure, named The Mothership, signifies a key development in the city district along the canal, merging circular construction with creative entrepreneurship. Its name reflects both the nearby canal's shipping heritage and its role as a hub for creative businesses. Containers from the former Happiness building are given a new life, stacked atop the new structure, carrying a piece of its history forward.
Designed by cuypers & Q architecten, the concept translates into a distinctive architectural vision. The Mothership is envisioned as a compact, circular building that intentionally incorporates green spaces and openness. This reuse strategy is not only sustainable but also visibly integrates the history and identity of Happiness into the new architecture.
“"The Mothership is not a building that starts from scratch. We are literally taking a piece of history into the future. The existing containers will be repurposed, giving the new building its unique identity. This creates architecture that offers space for creativity and expresses it."
The project is backed by the individuals behind Happiness, united by a shared passion for creativity and conceptual design, rather than a large real estate developer. Happiness itself, a communication agency founded in Belgium by Karen Corrigan, who remains CEO, will be among the future occupants. The agency, with offices in Vilvoorde, Saigon, and Amsterdam, has a long-standing connection to Vilvoorde and embarks on a new chapter with The Mothership.
The arrival of The Mothership marks another step in the evolution of Kanaalpark, Vilvoorde's oldest urban renewal project. In collaboration with Virix and De Vlaamse Waterweg, the city is developing a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood by the water.
Didier Cortois, alderman for economy and urban development, highlighted the project's significance: "With the realization of this plot within Kanaalpark, we are taking another important step in the transformation of this district. We are particularly pleased that Happiness chooses to continue investing in Vilvoorde. The Mothership not only strengthens the creative sector in our city but also confirms our ambition to provide space for entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration. The Mothership will be a place where creativity and economic dynamism converge."
Mayor Jo De Ro expressed his enthusiasm: "That a leading communication company like Happiness chooses to build its future in Vilvoorde and invest in its own building means a great deal to our city. It demonstrates that companies continue to find their way to Vilvoorde and trust our strengths: our central location, strong economic fabric, the presence of numerous professional partners and clients, and young talent finding opportunities here to help build our economy."
Construction began in September 2026, with provisional completion scheduled for November 2027.
