Since 1984, a massive metal scaffold has surrounded the Brussels Palace of Justice, a historic building that was meant to undergo a restoration project that has never actually started. The Belgian government has spent nearly 5 million euros on maintaining and reinforcing these temporary structures, which were originally intended for short-term use. The full restoration of the building is now expected to be completed in 2035, with an estimated total cost of over 600 million euros. This has sparked discussions about long-term planning and budget management in public projects. The Palace of Justice is a monumental structure with a floor area of 26,000 square meters, making it one of the largest buildings in the world. Commissioned by King Leopold II in the 19th century and designed by architect Joseph Poelaert, it was intended to symbolize the strength and grandeur of a young Belgium. However, over the years, the building has become more famous for its persistent scaffolding than for its architectural significance. The scaffolds, installed in 1984, were meant to support the restoration of the building's facade, but the project never moved forward. The reason for the delay is linked to a company’s bankruptcy in the 1980s. The firm that was contracted to carry out the renovation work went bankrupt, leaving the scaffolding in place indefinitely. As a result, the temporary structures have remained as a permanent fixture, turning the Palace of Justice into an iconic but unfinished sight in Brussels. In 2021, the Belgian government faced a peculiar situation: it had to fund the restoration of the very scaffolding that was meant to support the original project. This included reinforcing the structure at a cost of 1.5 million euros, allowing for the study and eventual restoration of the facade. Over the past four decades, nearly 5 million euros has been spent on the scaffolding alone, including its installation, maintenance, and reinforcement. These figures highlight the administrative challenges and mismanagement that have plagued the project for generations. Although the dismantling of the scaffolding has finally begun, the work is progressing slowly. In 2024, the first parts of the upper central facade were removed, revealing the statue of Minerva, which had been hidden for decades. Despite these efforts, the completion of the restoration has been pushed back, with the full project now expected to finish in 2035—over a decade later than initially planned. The massive cost of the restoration, estimated at over 600 million euros, continues to draw criticism from political opponents, who question the efficiency and oversight of the project over the years.