Recalling its origins, the Chaussée de Waterloo whispers tales of transformation. This long road stretches 12.4 kilometers. It runs from Brussels to Waterloo. The Waterloosesteenweg in Dutch, starts at the Halle Gate. That’s in Saint-Gilles. It winds southeast to Uccle’s Bascule area. Then, it turns south toward Waterloo. Here, its name changes to Chaussée de Bruxelles. It continues towards Genappe and Charleroi.
Originally, the Chaussée de Waterloo was simply an extension. It stretched from La Bascule to Waterloo. This was in 1662. The road was also called Chaussée de Wallonie. It was extended to Charleroi and Namur in the late 17th century.
In 1711, the Austrians decided to divert the road at La Bascule. They extended it to the Halle Gate. Construction happened between 1725 and 1727. The first section followed the old Wegh naer Ukkel. The second section was a new straight artery. It linked the Barrière to Ixelles.
Since the late 19th century, the Chaussée de Waterloo became a main commercial route. It played a crucial role in the development of the districts. The straight part of the street developed from the mid-1870s. By the 1910s, the road was almost entirely built.
Until the 20th century, the Chaussée de Waterloo had a bridge. This was the Hoge Brugge. It spanned a sunken road leading to Saint-Job. During the construction of the Berkendael district around 1875, the land was leveled. The bridge became unnecessary. The Hoge Brugge way disappeared. Its name remains in Avenue du Haut-Pont.
The early 20th century saw the road as a place of commerce. The link between Brussels-South station and Uccle helped. First, there was a horse-drawn tramway. From 1896, there was an electric tram line. The last major building projects occurred in the 1930s. In September 1944, British tanks appeared on the Chaussée de Waterloo. They met little resistance and liberated Brussels.
Today, the Chaussée de Waterloo is busy. Many commuters use it daily. They live outside Brussels and work in the city. It eases traffic at its southern end. Houses are rarely for housing only. Most have a commercial function. Storefronts have changed with fashion. Besides commerce, there are a few industries and offices.
In Ixelles, the Chaussée de Waterloo runs straight. It divides Ixelles into two parts. To the northeast is the Tenbosch district. To the southwest is the Berkendael district. The road has a mixed character.
The Brussels section features historical terraced houses. There are also old country houses. Number 928 is Art Deco. Number 916 is set back from the street. Several houses are neoclassical.
At number 964, where a service station is now, there was Le Vert Chasseur. This was a café-restaurant-boarding house. It was linked to the Bois de la Cambre. Numbers 892 to 915 were originally a boat showroom. These hangars were built in 1961 and 1970. They had a basin for showing models.
So, as you travel along the Chaussée de Waterloo, remember its rich history. It has evolved from a simple road to a vital artery of Brussels. Its story reflects the city’s growth.