Rue Bollinckx – Bollinckxstraat

“Is it true this street is named after soap?” a curious voice piped up from the group. Indeed, Rue Bollinckx, stretching before us from Boulevard International in Anderlecht to Place de la Station in Forest, carries the legacy of an industrialist named Bollinckx. This late 19th-century figure established his factories in Anderlecht, leaving his mark not just on the local industry but on the very map of Brussels. Rue Bollinckx isn’t just any street. It tells a tale of industry, from its very inception. Originally, the Forest section of Rue Bollinckx, together with Rue de la Station, formed the Koijestraat (Cow Street). This old path led from the village center (Dries) to the pastures west of the abbey. With the arrival of the Forest-Midi station, the first part was christened Rue de la Station, and the second, Rue Bollinckx. The Anderlecht part of Rue Bollinckx follows a section of the Oude Herbaene van Halle en Ruijsbroeck naer Brussel (Old Road from Hal and Ruisbroek to Brussels), which Rue du Cerf is also a part of. Officially opened in 1876, Rue Bollinckx underwent modifications and expansions over the years, adapting to the city’s evolving needs. By 1900, Rue Bollinckx had transformed into a hub of industrial activity, lined with various factories. Most notably, the Lever Brothers soap factory, creators of the Sunlight vegetable oil soap, was built in 1904 alongside the railway line, set back from the road. Today, the entire block between Rue Bollinckx and Rue de la Soierie is occupied by Unilever buildings. This multinational giant emerged from the 1930 merger of the Dutch “Margarine Unie” and the Lever Brothers, a strategic move to weather the economic crisis. Remarkably, a portion of the original Lever Brothers building still stands, repurposed as office space. Keep an eye out – you might even spot some of the old Sunlight advertisements painted on walls throughout Brussels. Beyond soap, Rue Bollinckx has also served a more utilitarian purpose. It houses a water purification station, quietly ensuring the city’s clean water supply. So, as we stand here on Rue Bollinckx, we’re not just on a street. We’re on a timeline of industrial history, a testament to the evolution of Brussels and the enduring impact of figures like Bollinckx.