A knight’s legacy. That’s what Avenue Everard whispers. Right here in Forest-Vorst.
Avenue Everard isn’t just a street. It’s a living testament to Sir Florent Everard a landowner who shaped this very neighborhood. His name echoes in the very stones under our feet. Imagine the bustling energy of 1910. Construction crews worked tirelessly. They built the first homes along this avenue. These weren’t just houses they were carefully designed homes. They reflected the architectural styles popular at the time.
The Sociu00e9tu00e9 Anonyme des Villas de Forest a company with Sir Florent among its key figures played a pivotal role. They oversaw the development of the entire area. Their vision extended beyond just bricks and mortar. They designed a star-shaped urban layout. Eight streets radiated from the central Hoogte Honderdplein. The Sint-Augustinuskerk the church stands as a magnificent centerpiece. The plan dates back to 1899 a bold undertaking that transformed this landscape.
The early buildings along Avenue Everard mostly on the odd-numbered side near Hoogte Honderdplein showcase eclectic styles. Many were rental properties. Some even had commercial spaces on the ground floor. Art Nouveau details peek out from some of these early 20th-century structures. Architects like Fernand Stiernet left their mark. His influence is evident in houses numbers 9 11 and 13.
The interwar period saw a building boom. A wide range of styles emerged. Late-eclectic designs mixed with Art Deco influences. Number 55-57 stands out. Architect Joseph Diongre designed it in 1925. Its Secession style is truly unique. A second building at number 59 followed. It resembles number 55-57 and displays similar Secession elements. It was built in 1928. Other buildings show Beaux-Arts and modernist influences.
By 1946 Avenue Everard was fully built up. The two corner buildings at the intersection with Alsembergsesteenweg are noteworthy. They’re larger than most buildings on the avenue. They rise three floors higher. They were constructed by S.A. Le confort immobilier in 1934 and 1935. They reflect the grander scale of buildings along the steenweg.
Numbers 40-42 and 44-46 are also unique. They lack the gardens of other houses. They feature a series of single-story rear buildings. These housed a large showroom workshops and garages for a wholesale electrical equipment business.
Several well-known architects worked on Avenue Everard. Renu00e9 Delbecq and Lu00e9on Janlet designed several houses. Jean Tombeur designed the mirror-image houses at numbers 28 and 30. He also designed number 34. These houses are instantly recognizable by their orange bricks. Their white stone bands and cornerstones add a striking contrast. The careful planning and architectural diversity are a testament to the vision of the Sociu00e9tu00e9 Anonyme. They created not just houses but a community a legacy that continues to thrive along Avenue Everard. This avenue embodies the past present and future of Forest-Vorst. It stands as a testament to the vision and dedication of those who built it.