Built in 1871-1872 the Galerie du Commerce stands before you. It’s more than just a shopping arcade. This is Brussels’ first such gallery. It’s a testament to the city’s ambition after creating the central boulevards. The Galerie du Commerce was a bold venture. It sliced through existing properties. The Comte de Grüne and the Robijns family owned the land. They paved the way for this innovative project.
Initially the Galerie du Commerce had a more complex layout. It was not the simple L-shape you see today. Architects E Legraive and H Stasseyns designed it. J Brusselars-Gorren was the contractor. The original design featured several branches. These branches connected around octagonal rotundas. One was near the Rue Neuve. Another ran north-south from the Place des Martyrs. A third arm extended eastward toward Rue d’Argent. It was supposed to reach the Rue du Fossé aux Loups. Only part of this arm was finished around 1879.
The Galerie du Commerce had three levels. It had a ground floor for shops. An entresol level was added. The third level had rectangular windows. A fourth level rose above the glass roof. Sculptor A Van Den Kerckhove added a rich decoration in 1887. He created bas-reliefs and caryatides. The caryatides represented commerce and the fine arts.
The Galerie du Commerce wasn’t static. It changed over time. In 1909 architect F De Vestel redesigned the Rue Neuve facade. He also altered the west side for the Hirsch department store. The arm towards Rue du Fossé aux Loups was incorporated into the department store in 1936-1937. The original south side was removed. Further changes happened in 1963. Architect L Stynen modernized the west side. The upper levels and the glass roof were demolished.
Today the Galerie du Commerce is a reminder of its past. The original ground floor and entresol level remain on the east side. The classical wooden shopfronts are between fluted pilasters. They’re decorated with garlands and swags. The original entrances were all altered. The entrance from the Place des Martyrs was arched. It had a glazed metal portal. It was rebuilt to match the square’s classical style.
The Galerie du Commerce is a living piece of Brussels history. It continues to thrive. It demonstrates the evolution of urban planning. It shows how a shopping arcade adapts to changing times. It remains a vital part of the city’s fabric.