In 1883 Rue Albert de Latour opened its doors. This street in Schaerbeek Brussels holds a fascinating history. It’s named after Albert de Latour a Catholic council member and industrialist. He served Schaerbeek from 1855 to 1858. He also founded the Albert de la Tour Hospice.
Rue Albert de Latour stretches from Rue de la Consolation to Avenue Dailly. It intersects with Rue Van Hammée. The street’s early development between 1883 and 1887 saw the construction of many houses. The Dailly family spearheaded this first phase of urbanization. They built houses with numbers 4 to 52 and 37 to 53. Many are in the eclectic style.
Construction continued between 1896 and 1903. More houses appeared. The styles varied. Some were eclectic others neoclassical. A few Art Nouveau houses also emerged. Number 7 designed by Paul Hamesse in 1903 is a prime example. Number 9 is another.
Urbanization continued between the wars. Many buildings reflect the Art Deco style. Numbers 54 to 58 designed by Georges Acarin in 1923 show this. Number 80 at the corner of Rue Van Hammée is another example. Architects Oct and Edg Thomas designed it in 1929. Nearby are ten houses built by René Bartholeyns in 1923 and 1925. They are in the Beaux-Arts style.
Number 30 on Rue Albert de Latour is especially important. It’s a former workshop of artists Constantin Meunier Georges-Marie Baltus and Léon Mignon. This building holds a special place in Brussels’ artistic heritage. It is a classified building. Number 75 houses the National Work for the Blind ONA.
Rue Albert de Latour’s buildings tell a story. They show the evolution of architectural styles in Brussels. They reflect the city’s growth and changing tastes. From the eclectic to Art Nouveau and Art Deco the street offers a visual timeline. It is a quiet street yet rich in history. A stroll along Rue Albert de Latour is a journey through time.