Designed by Edward Durell Stone, co-architect of New York’s MoMA, the American Theater stands here as a relic of the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair. The American Theater wasn’t just part of the American pavilion. It *was* the pavilion, a bold statement of mid-century modernism. Imagine, if you will, this very spot buzzing with the excitement of the fair. The Cold War was at its peak. The Space Race was just beginning. And here, at the American Theater, the world got a glimpse of American culture and innovation. For decades after the fair concluded, the American Theater served a different purpose. It became a television studio for the Flemish public broadcaster, VRT. Can you picture the hustle and bustle of television production within these walls? The cameras rolling, the actors performing, the directors shouting cues? The building eventually fell into disrepair. VRT moved out in 2012. The city of Brussels utilized some offices until 2016. Since then, the American Theater has mostly stood empty, a silent giant on the Heysel Plateau, occasionally occupied by artists. But the American Theater’s story is far from over. The Flemish government recently secured a 99-year lease on the building. They have ambitious plans to revitalize this space. They envision a vibrant cultural hub, a place for music, dance, and theater. A place to nurture young artistic talent. The American Theater, once a showcase of American ingenuity, is poised to become a symbol of Belgian cultural renaissance.
Rue Albert Meurice – Albert Meuricestraat
Serenity Bar a yoga studio sits on Rue Albert Meurice. This quiet street in Etterbeek Brussels holds a peaceful energy.