La Cascade

Amidst the vibrant energy of Brussels, La Cascade stands as a testament to architectural ingenuity. La Cascade isn’t a waterfall as the name suggests. It’s a striking apartment building. It stands proudly on Avenue du Général de Gaulle, a street buzzing with life and history. La Cascade was built between 1939 and 1940. The building showcases a captivating Modernist style, designed by architect René Ajoux. It was the brainchild of architect and property developer Jean-Florian Collin. Originally, this site housed four Art Nouveau townhouses. These were designed by Ernest Blerot in 1904. Two of these houses were demolished to make way for La Cascade. The remaining two still stand beside it, a testament to Blerot’s distinctive style. La Cascade’s sleek, white ceramic façade has earned it a playful nickname. Locals sometimes refer to it as the “Bathroom of Ixelles.” This unique façade distinguishes it from the neighboring Art Nouveau buildings. It creates a stark contrast, capturing the eye with its modern aesthetic. Look closely at the building’s base. The ground floor is clad in blue stone. A deep porch, supported by two pillars of the same material, invites you in. Flanking the entrance are two round windows. These are reminiscent of portholes on a ship. This nautical theme is a nod to the “ocean liner” style popular in 1930s Modernism. Above, the façade rises eight stories high, with two additional recessed levels. Each of these levels is preceded by a terrace with a steel railing. Originally, the top floor featured a pergola. This was later covered in 1951. The building’s verticality is emphasized by two large oriels. Their rounded corners echo the curved balconies, which further evoke the railings of a transatlantic liner. Even the circular windows contribute to this nautical theme, resembling portholes. The original ceramic tiles, produced by Maison Helman of Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, have been replaced. Now, beige ceramic sandstone tiles cover the façade. This unique cladding adds to the building’s distinct character. Given its construction in 1940, during a time of conflict, La Cascade also features an air-raid shelter in its basement. La Cascade, while not historically protected, is listed in the Architectural Heritage Inventory of the Brussels-Capital Region. La Cascade stands as a symbol of architectural innovation. It embodies the spirit of a city constantly evolving, blending the old with the new.