Doesn’t the name Rue de Robiano evoke a sense of history? The Rue de Robiano in Schaerbeek, Brussels, links Chaussée de Haecht to Rue Josaphat. It is more than just a street.
The story of Rue de Robiano begins with the de Robiano family. They were significant landowners in Schaerbeek. In 1859, they requested the street’s creation. The communal council approved it on November 19. Royal approval followed on April 23, 1860. The street was officially named in 1861 after this family. Paving took place in 1863 and 1864.
The Rue de Robiano quickly developed into a residential area. Construction boomed between 1862 and 1876. Neoclassical townhouses became common. Numbers 9, 53, 87, and 20 are prime examples of the architecture. Number 20 gained a second floor in 1880. Several houses were designed by the same architect. The odd-numbered side shows a particularly unified row. This runs from number 49 to number 69.
Over time, many houses on Rue de Robiano underwent renovations. Number 6 has a Beaux-Arts style facade. Architect Achille Michel reclad it in 1916. Numbers 27 and 29 show Beaux-Arts and Art Deco influences. This comes from a major renovation of two houses around 1946.
The street is twelve meters wide. Today the Rue de Robiano stands as a testament to Brussels’ urban development. It showcases architectural styles from the mid-19th to early 20th centuries. The street reflects the changing tastes and influences of its residents. As you walk along Rue de Robiano, consider the families who once called these houses home. They shaped the character of this Schaerbeek neighborhood.