Located on the Heysel/Heizel Plateau in Laeken (northern part of the City of Brussels), the twelve halls that comprise it are used for the largest national and international trade fairs, exhibitions and other events.

In 1958, 58 additional buildings were constructed in preparation of the 1958 Brussels World's Fair (Expo 58), and the Atomium was also erected nearby.

The parking areas have room for 12,000 cars, and are easily accessible from the Brussels Ring.

[2][3][4] The Centenary Palace, designed by the architect Joseph Van Neck in Art Deco style, is one of the remaining buildings of the 1935 World's Fair.

On that occasion, its façade was hidden behind a nearly 20-metre-long (66 ft) temporary mask covered with 94 bronze stars and a copper dove designed by the architects-engineers Jacques Dupuis, Albert Bontridder and André Paduart.