Town houses

Villa Empain: Dive into the Great Gatsby

Villa Empain - Boghossian Foundation
Michel Polak (1934)
Avenue Franklin Roosevelt - Franklin Rooseveltlaan 67
© visit.brussels - Jean-Paul Remy - 2017

Architect: Michel POLAK, 1930

When you see this remarkable villa gleaming from afar, it's hard to believe that this architectural gem was abandoned for years. The house was bought and sold multiple times before being acquired by the Boghossian Foundation, which established it as a centre for art and dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures. After a complete renovation, the institution opened its doors to the public in 2010. This building embodies the ideals of Art Deco: symmetry, clean and rigid lines, and rich materials. Visitors come, not only for its outstanding exhibitions, but simply to admire its luxurious interior. Don’t forget to check out the shop with its selection of high-quality items and stop by the café with its American-style bar (reopening soon!). On sunny days, enjoy the sculpture garden, or attend evening performances and parties by the pool with its stunning oval pergola!

Pay attention to the gold leaf gilded corner fittings on the corners and frames of the wall openings, the original thin metal (brass) window profiles, the copper roof and the use of luxurious materials such as marble, onyx, rosewood, rootwood, and polished veined wood...

Did you know?

Polak had already created several Art Deco masterpieces before the young Baron Empain commissioned him. In the 1920s, he designed the very first luxury apartment building in Brussels: the Résidence Palace, located on rue de la Loi. It was the largest apartment complex in Europe! The various buildings have been partially restored, renovated, and expanded with the magnificent European Council building. The back of the building houses the International Press Center. During the week, you can also dine at the restaurant there. As part of the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2024, a portion of the ground floor of this block was renovated. Note the imposing staircase leading to the red marble theatre, the patio with a mosaic floor and fountain, and the stained-glass windows. In the 1930s, Polak also built, among others, the Eastman Dental Institute, which is now home to the House of European History.

Van Buuren Museum and Gardens: Where time stood still

Art déco - architecture - Alice et David Van Buuren

Architects: Léon Govaerts and Alexis Van Vaerenbergh, 1924-1928

The architects who opted for the Art Deco style generally had an international cultural background and were in close contact with the business world. The home of Brussels patrons David and Alice Van Buuren is a perfect example of the Amsterdam School. Asymmetrical facades, decorative brickwork with handmade red bricks, stained glass and ladder-style windows, sloping roofs... The banker, himself of Dutch origin, was particularly drawn to this Dutch version of Art Deco. Handcrafted work is emphasised, as is the use of "noble" materials such as brick and wood. The gardens, a beautiful example of landscape architecture, are also well worth a visit. They were designed in the 1920s by Jules Buyssens in the Art Deco style.

Renowned Belgian, French, and Dutch designers collaborated on the interior design of the house, which, fortunately, has been preserved in its original state! You will feel the intimate atmosphere of a private home. Rare furniture; personalised, signature rugs; stained glass; sculptures and paintings by Belgian and international masters contribute to making it a true work of art. One hundred years ago, artists, writers, and musicians were regular visitors to the house. The Van Buuren Museum and Gardens Foundation continues the spirit of hospitality by opening its doors to the public and hosting various cultural activities.

Did you know?

David Van Buuren himself designed the plans. The Brussels-based architectural duo Léon Govaerts and Alexis Van Vaerenbergh brought them to life. When he found a unique and spectacular chandelier, he had the hall enlarged to showcase it. He even went so far as to remove the planned guest room upstairs to achieve this!