Avenue Louise : a luxurious thoroughfare in Brussels
Avenue Louise, a favourite stopping ground of the city’s elite, is lined with beautiful town homes and haute couture shops and has come to symbolise luxury in Brussels.
In this elegant district in Brussels, the most high-end of the city’s avenues bears the name of Princess Louise, the eldest daughter of King Leopold II of Belgium. Stretching all the way to the Bois de Cambre, this bustling street is known for its high concentration of town houses, including the Solvay, Max Hallet, and Aubecq mansions, that are as discreet on the outside as they are spectacular on the inside.
The creation of Avenue Louise
One hundred and eighty years ago, Jean-Philippe de Joncker and Jean-Baptiste Jourdan, two property developers, received permission from the authorities to build a large, new district in the towns of Ixelles and Saint-Gilles. The idea was to connect the avenue with the city centre to help the capital grow. This 3km stretch of thoroughfare was subsequently renovated during the World’s Fair.
Designed by the architect Victor Horta, the Aubecq private mansion is one of the crown jewels along this elite avenue. © DR
Along the façade and balconies of the Solvay mansion, the lush and rich style of the Roaring Twenties is in full swing. © DR
Architecture and shopping, all on the same walk
Paris has its Champs Elysées, New York its 5th Avenue, and Los Angeles its Rodeo Drive. In Brussels, it’s all about Avenue Louise. If you love Art Nouveau architecture or are in the mood for a shopping spree, you’ll find everything you’re looking for in the avenue’s haute couture boutiques. Each and every one is successful and well-established !
Featuring mosaics, intricate glasswork, and frescoes, the Max Hallet mansion is awash with splendour. © DR
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