“This elegant avenue whispers tales of history” you might think standing before Avenue Voltaire-Voltairelaan. This Brussels street holds secrets from the early 20th century. Its creation involved a significant urban transformation. The Avenue Voltaire replaced a section of the Eastern Belt Railway line. This line connected the Gare du Nord and the Quartier Léopold railway stations. The railway was moved creating space for the avenue.
Construction began in the early 1900s. The avenue’s elegant houses display a variety of architectural styles. Eclecticism predominates in the earlier sections. Houses built between numbers 9 and 19 are a prime example of this. Later sections from the 1920s 1930s and 1950s reflect Art Deco and Modernist influences. Number 93 stands out. It was the atelier of the painter Georges Latinis designed by Victor Bourgeois in 1926.
Avenue Voltaire boasts more than just beautiful architecture. Number 162 has a poignant history. It served as a safe house during World War II for the Comète network. A memorial commemorates Victor Michiels a resistance fighter who was shot nearby.
The Avenue’s design reflects deliberate planning. The original plan was far more ambitious. It included a large market square. This square was to replace the one near the town hall. The project never fully materialized. The railway line’s presence until around 1910 hindered development.
The Avenue Voltaire-Voltairelaan remains largely unchanged. Its cohesive rows of houses reflect its origins. It is a testament to urban planning. Yet its history is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a story of transformation and resilience. It is a street where history and beauty intertwine. As you walk its length consider the layers of stories hidden in the elegant facades. Avenue Voltaire is more than a street. It is a living legacy.