How about a stroll down a street named after a man who designed a circus? Here on Rue Willem Kuhnen, or Willem Kuhnenstraat as it’s known in Dutch, we walk a path honoring Willem Kuhnen. He was no ordinary man.
Rue Willem Kuhnen stretches from Boulevard Lambermont to Avenue Docteur Dejase. It then extends further as Rue Adolphe Marbotin. This Brussels street in Schaerbeek carries the name of a significant figure. Willem Kuhnen was both an engineer and an architect.
Born in Aachen, Germany, in 1834, Willem Kuhnen made his mark in Schaerbeek where he died in 1907. His talents greatly contributed to Brussels. Kuhnen designed the first circus in Brussels in 1876. He also planned the Civil Hospital of Schaerbeek, completed in 1905.
As we walk along Rue Willem Kuhnen, notice the house numbers. On the odd side, they range from 9 to 81. The even side features numbers 8 to 82. At number 32 lived Olivier Marcovich. He was a painter and a sculptor. Number 50 houses Ad Hoc Agency, a non-profit organization.
The street itself is more than just buildings. It’s a testament to a man’s vision. Willem Kuhnen left a lasting impact on Brussels. His architectural contributions shaped the city. So, remember Willem Kuhnen as we continue our tour. He was the man who brought the circus to town and designed a hospital for the people.