“Reserved for the most laborious and worthy representatives of the working class.” That was the original intent behind the Cit\u00e9 Gomand. We are standing in front of one of Brussels’ earliest examples of social housing. It is a testament to 19th-century ideals.
Cit\u00e9 Gomand is more than just bricks and mortar. It represents a fascinating chapter in Brussels’ urban and social development.
Louis-Xavier Gomand owned the land. He initiated the construction of this unique complex between 1844 and 1863. Hence the name Cit\u00e9 Gomand. The Cit\u00e9 Gomand consists of two squares. Each has 47 worker houses. The architectural style is Neoclassical.
The northern square was built first. It sits between Rue du Viaduc, Rue Sans Souci, Rue de la Cit\u00e9, and Rue Van Aa. Construction started in 1844. It was completed in 1851.
The southern square followed. It is nestled between Rue Van Aa, Rue de la Cit\u00e9, Rue du Coll\u00e8ge, and Rue du Viaduc. Charles Rogier laid the first stone in 1849. He was the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This suggests state collaboration.
Cit\u00e9 Gomand aimed to provide decent housing for workers. The project was driven by humanistic and moral considerations. The houses were meant for the “most laborious and worthy” of the working class.
Cit\u00e9 Gomand’s design features surprisingly spacious worker houses. They have three levels of decreasing size. Most houses have two to three bays. The overall structure is remarkably well-preserved. This is despite many transformations over the years. Some houses have commercial storefronts. Some have replaced arched windows with rectangular ones.
Inside, each house had two rooms. These rooms were in a row next to the entrance bay. The stairwell was located there.
Look at numbers 37 and 39 on Rue du Viaduc. These two houses share a facade. The facade is Neoclassical. It was originally symmetrical. You can see the signatures and dates on blue stone plaques. One reads “L. GOMAND / PROP. / WY. JANSSENS ARCH.” The other says “PREMIERE PIERRE / POSEE / LE XXIII 7_ MDCCCXLIX / PAR / MONSIEUR CH. ROGIER / MINISTRE DE L’INTERIEUR”. This marks the laying of the first stone on September 23 1849.
The facade of number 37 is covered in brick. The original door with its transom remains.
Ironically, Cit\u00e9 Gomand wasn’t as successful as planned. The rents were too high for many workers. A cr\u00e8che and day care were added in 1852.
Cit\u00e9 Gomand is listed as a protected monument. It stands as a reminder of early social housing efforts. It shows the architectural trends of the time.