Art Nouveau in the Northeast Squares
A new residential area full of style and finesse
At the end of the 19th century, the center of Brussels expanded rapidly, and the hilly, rural area east of the Maalbeek was ideal for a new, stylish residential neighborhood. In 1874, architect Bordiau was appointed to design the urban development, with a strict grid of avenues and squares, complemented by the arc shape of the Charles the Great Avenue, which followed the route of the underground railway line. The location offered a combination of accessibility and green space, perfect for the Brussels bourgeoisie who were looking for elegance, comfort, and status outside the city center.
Victor Horta, Gustave Strauven, and colleagues
Around the squares, we find some of Brussels' most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings. Victor Horta built the famous Van Eetvelde House here, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in which he fully displayed his talent for light, space, and ornamentation. Gustave Strauven designed the striking Maison Saint-Cyr in the neighborhood, a masterpiece of decorated facades and expressive lines. Other architects such as Armand van Waesberghe, Leon Govaerts, Paul Saintenoy, Victor Taelemans, Benjamin de Lestré, Paul Hamesse, and Georges Hobé contributed to a rich and varied streetscape, in which facades of natural stone, enameled brick, stained glass windows, wrought ironwork, and ornate gables come together to form a unique whole.
Today, the squares form an interesting mix of residential, commercial, and diplomatic areas. The neighborhood borders the European quarter, which means that many old houses now house offices, embassies, and business functions, and the neighborhood is no longer exclusively residential as originally intended. During this walk, you will experience how Brussels' Art Nouveau architecture has retained its charm and elegance, while the neighborhood has adapted to contemporary urban realities.
Good to know
This city walk takes place in an urban environment where obstacles such as cobblestones, narrow sidewalks, and level differences cannot always be avoided. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
This walk takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. Want
to see more, discover more, hear more stories? Extend your walk by an extra hour and experience what others miss!
This walk is a linear walk with a different end point. Don't want to walk back to the starting point? No problem: there is always a public transport stop nearby. At the start, you can agree on the end point with the guide.
Reservation and guide fee. We are exempt from VAT.
