Number two Rue de l’Est Ooststraat holds a secret. It’s a house designed by Georges Dhaeyer. It’s a classified building. This unassuming street in Schaerbeek boasts a rich history. Rue de l’Est Ooststraat connects Chaussée de Haecht to Rue Josaphat. It’s a rectilinear street. That means it’s perfectly straight. This wasn’t always the case.
The street’s name hints at a fascinating past. In the 19th century an astronomical observatory stood nearby. It was located in what’s now Square Henri Frick. The observatory operated between 1827 and 1891. Its presence inspired the street’s name. Think of the scientists peering into the cosmos. Their observations shaped our understanding of the universe.
Rue de l’Est Ooststraat wasn’t built overnight. It opened in 1885. The land was from the Verboeckhoven heirs. Also from Chevalier Moyart and the Fabrique de l’église Notre-Dame du Sablon. They agreed to pay for sewers and paving. They even gifted the land to the commune. The council approved the project in 1881.
The street’s architecture is eclectic. Number 38 and 40 are neoclassical. They form a striking row with numbers 42 to 48. Others are eclectic. Numbers 19 and 71 show this style. Some buildings are even neo-Gothic. Look closely. You’ll find fascinating details. Many houses were built as sets. Numbers 13 and 15 were built together. So were numbers 29 to 35. Arthur François designed numbers 29 to 35. Number 35 housed the painter Luc De Decker.
Number 27 is especially noteworthy. It was altered by the Varlet brothers. They were prominent entrepreneurs. They divided a neoclassical house into two homes. Nearby at number 50 sits a mosque. It’s a testament to Schaerbeek’s diversity. This street is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a living tapestry woven from history architecture and community. The stories of Rue de l’Est Ooststraat continue. They’re waiting to be discovered.