In 1921, several hundred cooperative members — mainly workers residing in popular neighbourhoods in the centre of Brussels — pooled their efforts to found the ‘Foyers collectifs’ cooperative society, with the aim of building a garden city in Moortebeek. It now has 330 houses and 124 apartments providing a roof over the heads of over a thousand people. These properties were designed by 7 architects including Joseph Diongre, Fernand Brunfaut and Jean-François Hoeben. On site, you'll discover that most of the properties can be recognised from their two-tone appearance: very pale yellow-cream and red-orange. All the streets bear the names of famous writers. When the first cooperative member-residents moved into their houses, the works were far from being completed! No internal doors in the homes, no water or electricity supply or drain connections, unpaved streets like muddy paths, etc.
Moortebeek Garden City
Location: Moortebeek Garden City, 1070 Anderlecht
