Ever stopped to admire a building that seems to whisper tales of a bygone era? That is the H\u00f4tel Philippot. It stands before you now.
The H\u00f4tel Philippot is a remarkable example of N\u00e9o-Renaissance style. This style drew inspiration from the French Renaissance. It was designed by architect Jules Brunfaut in 1907. Brunfaut cleverly signed his work on the ground floor. Look for the inscription MCMVII high above. That is the year 1907 in Roman numerals.
The H\u00f4tel Philippot actually comprises two buildings. There is a grand h\u00f4tel particulier and a bourgeois house. They share one monumental facade. Notice how the facade aligns perfectly with the neighboring buildings. It is part of a harmonious row from numbers 151 to 159.
Take in the imposing three-story structure. Seven bays punctuate the facade. The central bay is wider. The first four bays belong to the H\u00f4tel Philippot itself. The remaining three constitute the bourgeois house. The facade is entirely clad in white stone. The ground floor features rusticated stonework.
Above you windows with lowered arches adorn the first and third floors. The second-floor windows boast full arches. Pilasters with Ionic capitals flank these windows. Look closely. Balusters decorate the window sills below.
Now focus on the central bay. A magnificent bas-relief sculpture by Jef Lambeaux graces the first floor. It depicts a female allegory of music. Two engaged Ionic columns frame the sculpture. A fronton sits atop these columns. Two ornamental vases and a cartouche crown the fronton.
On the ground floor, observe the carriage entrance in the center. It features intricate wrought iron. Oculi flank the entrance. These provide access to the H\u00f4tel Philippot. A pedestrian door also crafted from wrought iron provides access to the house.
The roof is mansard-style. A balustrade borders it. Stone vases adorn the facade. The original woodwork remains intact.
Jules Philippot commissioned this magnificent structure. He was the director of the Bohemian coal mines. Philippot also had an extensive collection of sculptures by Jef Lambeaux.
Inside the H\u00f4tel Philippot, a former exhibition hall once stood on the first floor. It was located behind the exterior bas-relief by Lambeaux. Skylights illuminated this space.
A non-aedificandi zone precedes the facade. This area is landscaped as a small garden. A low blue stone wall encloses it with iron grilles. The H\u00f4tel Philippot has been protected as a classified site since 1987. Additional classifications followed in 1990.
The H\u00f4tel Philippot stands as a testament to Brussels’ rich architectural heritage. It showcases the elegance of the N\u00e9o-Renaissance style. This building embodies the artistic vision of Jules Brunfaut and Jef Lambeaux. It is a treasure to be admired and preserved for generations to come.