Did you know that Avenue Félix Marchal wasn’t built in one go? Its creation unfolded in two distinct phases. This Brussels avenue in the municipality of Schaerbeek has a story etched into its very layout.
Avenue Félix Marchal stretches from the Chaussée de Louvain near Place Dailly to Avenue Milcamps. It passes landmarks like Rue du Radium and Square des Griottiers. The avenue bears the name of Félix Marchal. He was a Belgian military figure and politician. He was born in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode and passed away in Schaerbeek.
The first section of Avenue Félix Marchal appeared between Chaussée de Louvain and Avenue Léon Mahillon. This was formalized by royal decree in 1902. This decree also covered Avenues Charbo and Mahillon. These avenues ran alongside the Prince Baudouin barracks which opened in 1894. These roads were twenty meters wide. They resulted from a deal between the Commune and the State in 1901. The State covered half the cost. This initial section opened between 1905 and 1906.
The second part of Avenue Félix Marchal was included in the Linthout district’s road plan. Octave Houssa drafted it in 1903-1904. He was an engineer for the communal works department. Royal decrees approved it in 1904 and definitively in 1906. These decrees also covered other new Schaerbeek districts.
The council decided to name the avenue after Félix Marchal in 1902. This was to honor the military man and politician.
Initially the avenue ran along the barracks on its odd-numbered side. The barracks buildings were demolished in 1996. The main building remains. Two annexes are now part of the Théâtre de la Balsamine. Apartment buildings were constructed along the avenue in the 2000s.
On the even-numbered side a large school complex stands. It is now part of the Collège Roi Baudouin. This Catholic school group began in 1921. The Saint-Albert and Sacré-Cœur parishes oversaw it. Two sections were planned. They were named Institut Notre-Dame de la Paix and École Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle. Architect Paul Dhaeyer designed the complex. It was built in phases. The first phase focused on buildings along Avenues Félix Marchal and Léon Mahillon. These buildings showed an eclectic style with Art Deco influences. The second phase involved buildings at the corner of Rues du Radium and Victor Hugo in a modernist style. A final building completed the ensemble in 1986.
Most of the remaining residential buildings along Avenue Félix Marchal were built between 1909 and 1929. Construction peaked between 1910 and 1914. The architecture is mainly eclectic. Some buildings show Beaux-Arts influences. One house stands out in Art Deco style. Several housing groups were designed by the same architect.
So as you stroll along Avenue Félix Marchal remember its layered history. From military origins to educational hubs and residential charm it tells a story of Brussels’ urban development.