“A family legacy” whispers the Avenue Maurice Dekeyser-Maurice Dekeyserlaan. This isn’t just any street. It’s a story etched in stone and brick a testament to the Cochée family’s vision. Imagine their ambition in 1832. Jean-Jacques Cochée an influential printer-publisher acquired land. His daughter Madame Veuve Chantal Vermeren-Cochée developed the avenue. She headed the renowned porcelain factory on Chaussée de Wavre.
Avenue Maurice Dekeyser-Maurice Dekeyserlaan is one of seven avenues radiating from the Étoile roundabout. It ends at Avenue Jeanne. It’s a striking example of urban planning. The avenue’s layout follows a fan-shaped design a deliberate architectural choice. This strategic arrangement gives the area a unique character.
The avenue’s creation wasn’t without planning. In 1891 Madame Cochée signed an agreement with the municipality. It ensured a beautiful setting. A non-building zone was maintained. It featured iron fences and blue stone bases. This detail contributes to the neighborhood’s charm and uniformity. The avenue officially became public in 1892 by royal decree. It was realigned as part of the Avenue Plan for the “Petite Suisse” neighborhood. This integration brought it into the urban road network.
Today the avenue showcases a blend of architectural styles. Many original buildings remain. These are elegant bourgeois houses dating from the early 20th century. Most show the eclectic style. Note the houses from number 6 to 12 for a prime example. But there are surprises. An Art Nouveau house designed by Émile Hellemans stands at number 32. Hellemans focused on high-quality modest housing. Number 19 reveals the former studio of symbolist painter Paul Artôt. Architect Paul Hamesse designed it.
Apartment buildings from the 1950s contrast with the older homes. They’re near the Étoile roundabout. Renowned architects designed them. Jean Delhaye designed the Residence Argentina in 1955. Yvan Blomme designed number 20 in 1955. Jean-Florian Collin designed number 3 in 1952. The Residence Packard deserves special attention. Built in 1969 it was a pioneering project. Combining luxury apartments and offices it showcased innovative design. It stands where a Georges Hobé-designed house once stood. It’s a remarkable example of the era’s construction. Its size and aesthetics integrate seamlessly with existing buildings. Yet it maintains its own distinct personality.
So walk down the Avenue Maurice Dekeyser-Maurice Dekeyserlaan. Notice the details. It is more than a street. It is a living legacy of a family’s vision and the evolution of Brussels itself.