“Did you know that Het Heideken was once completely isolated in the fields?” Het Heideken a remarkable garden city in Brussels stands before you. Its story begins in the 1920s. Architect Jules Ghobert designed it for Le Home a cooperative society. Construction lasted from 1923 to 1925. It officially opened in September 1925.
Het Heideken’s unique layout resembles a butterfly or kite. It stretches along Avenue de l’Exposition Universelle. The Place du Home anchors the east wing. Place des Sorbiers marks the west wing. The even-numbered side of Drève du Château and the odd-numbered side of Rue Communale form its boundaries.
Imagine walking through Het Heideken in the 1920s. The tram line 13’s terminus was a ten-minute walk away at the future Square du Centenaire. The city’s reach didn’t extend this far. Het Heideken was a true escape surrounded by open fields. It was a pioneering social housing project.
Today Het Heideken is listed on the legal inventory. It’s recognized for its artistic aesthetic and historical significance. It exemplifies a specific period in Brussels’ urban development. It’s a beautiful example of a garden city concept. The homes are beautifully designed and well-preserved. They show how people lived in the 1920s.
Het Heideken’s name predates the garden city itself. It refers to a place near Square du Centenaire. An old café there was called Café du Heideken. Some older postcards label it the “Jette Avenue Garden City”. Newspaper articles from the time used “Garden City of Le Home”. Het Heideken is more than just houses. It’s a piece of Brussels’ history. A testament to community and planning. It shows us the vision of a better future. A garden city thriving amidst the bustle of a modern city.