Hôtel van Eetvelde, a listed Brussels Art Nouveau monument designed by Victor Horta, opens its doors to the public this year. Like three other Horta properties (the Horta House, Hôtel Tassel and the Solvay House), it has been part of the Unesco World Heritage List since 2000.
1. Opening another Victor Horta masterpiece
As part of Art Nouveau Year 2023, the Brussels Region continues to open up its heritage and introduce this architectural movement to the general public. After the opening of the Solvay House and the Cauchie House, Hôtel van Eetvelde is yet another private building to reveal its treasures. Soon the same will happen with Hôtel Hannon.
In this year dedicated to the Brussels Art Nouveau, I can only be delighted with the opening to the public of the Hotel van Eetvelde, a jewel of Art Nouveau designed by Victor Horta!
Rudi Vervoort, Minister-President of the Brussels Region
“The opening of the Hotel van Eetvelde to the public is a great day for all Art Nouveau lovers, and for all those who want to discover this art movement in the heart of our capital. This exceptional building is now accessible to all and will surely delight all visitors by the quality of its heritage and architectural treasures”, said Karine Lalieux, federal Minister for Beliris, at the inauguration ceremony.
2. New museum
Discussions between the Brussels Region and Synergrid, the building’s owner, revealed that they both wanted to enhance this remarkable heritage. This led to an agreement to open it to the public and to host events such as seminars, workshops and exhibitions throughout the theme year. By supporting various restoration and revaluation works of this unique heritage in the coming months and years, the Brussels Region hopes to continue working successfully with the owner, preserve this site and ensure its opening to the public.
From 15 May, the public can discover the building every Saturday, Sunday and Monday through free visits or guided tours. Tickets can be bought online (via Visit Brussels) or on site.
3. Glass dome symbol
Hôtel van Eetvelde is one of the most emblematic examples of Victor Horta’s architectural marvels. Edmond van Eetvelde wanted a place where he could receive clients and also live with his family. Not only the facade is typically Art Nouveau, but the highlight is the winter garden’s monumental glass dome.
The extraordinarily restored glass dome will be unveiled and will be the unique setting of the new Art Nouveau interpretation centre LAB·AN.
Pascal Smet, Brussels State Secretary for Heritage
“Today, more than 250 Art Nouveau buildings are partially or completely protected in our region. Many buildings of this unique and unparalleled heritage are open to the public. Today, in this special Art Nouveau year, we do the same with Hôtel van Eetvelde, of which the magnificent glass roof has now been restored”, said Sven Gatz, Brussels Minister responsible for the Image of Brussels.
As part of this theme year and the building’s opening, a five-month restoration has been completed. It was carried out by architect Barbara Van der Wee and her team, specialists in the work of Victor Horta, while Ghent-based workshop Mestdagh conducted the work on the glass dome.
The complex works included the restoration of the reception room, the complete cleaning and restoration of the stained glass windows, the repair of damaged structural elements, the interior ventilation of the main floor and an optimisation of the mechanisms used to maintain the glass dome. Other works, such as the dining room restoration, are included in the grant file and have yet to be carried out.
4. Art Nouveau interpretation centre
Brussels breathes Art Nouveau. This art movement has helped shape the image of our city since 1890. At the end of the nineteenth century, Victor Horta and other brilliant architects and artists lit a fire of renewal in architecture and the arts.
Sven Gatz, Brussels Minister responsible for the Image of Brussels
Hôtel van Eetvelde has a perfect strategic location to suit as the Art Nouveau Year information point. This mansion is split into two parts. The Brussels Capital Region recently bought the right part to develop an art nouveau interpretation centre called LAB·AN, which will offer various activities such as conferences and workshops. It will also host an exhibition where visitors can discover the main features of this movement and its links to colonisation. Moreover, this centre should serve both as a space for dialogue with contemporary creation and one for research and debate by questioning, among other things, its links to colonisation.
Finally, the former van Eetvelde office now houses the headquarters of the general secretariat of the Réseau Art Nouveau Network (RANN). Brussels houses the international secretariat of this network, which unites the world’s major Art Nouveau cities, including Vienna, Barcelona, Nancy, Budapest and Riga.
