Avenue Joseph Vandersmissen – Joseph Vandersmissenlaan

In the heart of Etterbeek, Avenue Joseph Vandersmissen stretches before us, a quiet testament to a man who shaped this community. Avenue Joseph Vandersmissen connects Rue Baron de Castro to Avenue Eugène Godaux. This avenue bears the name of Joseph Vandersmissen, mayor of Etterbeek from 1862 to 1866. He was also a captain in the Civil Guard. Avenue Joseph Vandersmissen is divided into two distinct sections. The first stretch, leading up to Avenue Edmond Mesens, emerged in the 1920s. Here, the spirit of Art Deco thrives. Buildings like number 7, designed by architect A. De Boodt in 1927, and number 12, crafted by H. Eggerickx the same year, showcase the elegance of the era. Originally, number 9 boasted a modernist façade by Alphonse Barrez (1929), though it was transformed in 1964. The second section of Avenue Joseph Vandersmissen opened after World War II. This part of the avenue includes the former Anspach property, now the Koninklijk Atheneum. Grand bourgeois houses, many with three façades, line the street. Most of these homes date back to the 1950s. Avenue Joseph Vandersmissen offers a glimpse into the evolution of Etterbeek, from its interwar expansion to its post-war development. As you stroll along this avenue, imagine the bustling activity of the past, the clatter of horse-drawn carriages giving way to the hum of modern vehicles. The avenue stands as a quiet reminder of the layers of history beneath our feet.