Around 1905 a new square opened in Brussels. It was Place De Moor De Moorplein. This wasn’t just any square. It marked a significant moment in Jette’s industrial past. The square sits near the western ring railway. It’s where the De Moor Street Pannenhuis Street and Rosalie Uyttenhovestraat meet.
Place De Moor De Moorplein’s creation was linked to the construction of Emile Bockstaellaan Avenue. The square and its namesake street honor Maurice De Moor a Laeken industrialist. He was born in 1851. His legacy lives on in the very stones under our feet.
The area around Place De Moor De Moorplein buzzed with industry. Several industrial buildings occupied the space. They had a direct rail connection. A butter and margarine factory opened in 1896. Later the Etablissements D’Haeseleer a faience glass and porcelain manufacturer joined the scene. The Compagnie Générale des Asphaltes an asphalt company also called the square home. These buildings were more than factories. They were the heart of a thriving industrial community. Think of the smells the sounds the constant activity.
Imagine workers hurrying to and fro. Hear the clatter of machinery the rumble of trains. Smell the distinct scents of margarine and asphalt. That’s the Place De Moor De Moorplein of the early 20th century a place of industry and innovation.
Today Place De Moor De Moorplein is quieter. The factories are gone. But the square remains. It’s a reminder of Brussels’ rich industrial heritage. It’s a testament to the vision of Maurice De Moor and the workers who shaped this part of the city. Stand here and feel the echoes of the past. It whispers tales of industry progress and community. It’s a story waiting to be rediscovered in every cobblestone. Let Place De Moor De Moorplein transport you back in time.