Aperçu

Either avant-garde or utopian, the Résidence Palace complex was commissioned by developer Lucien Kaisin and designed by Swiss architect Michel Polak for luxury housing. Designed for the upper classes and aristocracy, the 180 apartments range in size from three to 20 rooms. Comprising four wings connected around an interior street, the complex also included boutiques, hairdressing salons, a private club, Turkish baths, a fencing hall, tennis courts, garages with a capacity of 20 vehicles, restaurants and a 516-seat theatre. At the time, the building’s silhouette stood on the edge of Rue de la Loi, dominating the whole of Brussels without competition. Built between 1922 and 1928, it was not as successful as had been hoped and, after being occupied by the Germans during the war, was bought by the State, which turned it into an administrative complex. In monumental Art Deco style, akin to the Streamline Moderne trend, the Résidence Palace boasts a remarkable auditorium as well as a Pompeii-style swimming pool, decorated with earthenware tiles and mosaics to magnificent effect. The building is currently occupied in part by the International Press Centre. The ground floor houses a restaurant with elegant Art Deco-style spaces. In 2004, part of the complex was demolished to make way for a new building, the headquarters of the European Council. (CL 22/04/2004) Saturday at 10.00 am (FR), 11.00 am (NL), 11.15 am (FR), 12.30 pm (FR), 1.00 pm (NL), 2.15 pm (EN), 2.30 pm (FR), 3.30 pm (NL), 3.45 pm (FR), 4.45 pm (EN) and Sunday at 11.00 am (NL), 11.15 am (FR), 12.30 pm (FR), 1.00 pm (NL), 2.15 pm (EN), 2.30 pm (FR), 3.30 pm (NL), 3.45 pm (FR), 4.45 pm (EN), 5.00 pm (FR) (duration 60min, maximum 20 people per departure). In collaboration with ARAU, Atelier de Recherche et d’Action Urbaines (FR) and Korei Guided Tours (NL/EN). Photographs are permitted on the ground floor (no flash), but are prohibited in the pool and theater areas in the basement. Guided tour in Belgian French sign language - Saturday at 17:00 and Sunday at 10:00.

Practical information

Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00

rue de la Loi 155, 1040 Etterbeek

Advance booking not required.

Accessible

Belgian-French sign language visit

Address
rue de la Loi 155, 1040 Etterbeek