Imagine Jean Désiré de Fiennes walking these very streets. He was likely proud to have this street named in his honor. We are standing on Rue de Fiennes also known as de Fiennesstraat. This street connects Place Bara to Place du Conseil. It intersects with Rue Sergent De Bruyne Rue Grisar Rue Brogniez and Rue Jorez.
Rue de Fiennes is central to a new residential area. Inspector Victor Besme envisioned this area for Cureghem. The city council approved the project on November 9 1863. The area was between Chaussée de Mons to the northwest and Rue de l’Instruction to the southwest. The new Midi station was to the southeast. Besme created a final plan in December 1871 and January 1872. The city council approved it on March 21 1872. Royal decree confirmed it on May 1 1872. The Société immobilière de Cureghem was responsible for implementing the plan. This company included landowners in the area. They agreed to complete the roadworks sewers and paving within five years.
Rue de Fiennes runs along the axis of Boulevard Jamar. It ends at Place du Conseil. It forms the central axis of the new district. Besme created a general alignment plan for new roads near the Midi station in 1863. Architect Auguste Payen suggested in 1864 that Boulevard Jamar should extend into Anderlecht. It would have been about sixty meters wide. Due to lack of funds the street was built twenty meters wide.
The city council named the street on March 30 1874. It honored Jean Désiré de Fiennes a painter. He was also the mayor of Anderlecht from 1862 to 1872.
Construction on Rue de Fiennes began around 1875. It continued into the 1890s. Early buildings often featured neoclassical design such as number 6 built in 1879. Buildings from the 1890s were often eclectic such as number 70 built in 1891. Many houses included a shop or workshop in the back. Rue de Fiennes was a significant commercial street. Many buildings had commercial ground floors from the start or added later.
Numbers 52-64 and 68 house the Institut Notre-Dame. It was established in the block starting in 1905. In the 1980s houses on the even-numbered side of the second section were demolished. This made way for a square.
Thus Rue de Fiennes stands as a testament to urban planning ambition and historical homage. Its blend of residential and commercial elements reflects the dynamic spirit of Anderlecht.