Rue de Hennin – de Henninstraat

Who were the Hennin family? This is the question that hangs in the air as we stand before Rue de Hennin – de Henninstraat. This street, nestled within the vibrant heart of Ixelles, Brussels, holds a story waiting to be unveiled. Rue de Hennin – de Henninstraat owes its name to a prominent family who once possessed vast tracts of land in this area. The street’s layout, a straight path connecting Chaussée d’Ixelles to Rue Lesbroussart, also intersects with Rue Charles Decoster. This configuration took shape over time, beginning with a royal decree in 1846 as part of Charles Vanderstraeten’s “Plan général d’alignement des faubourgs de Bruxelles”. However, it wasn’t until 1863 that the plan was solidified, confirming Rue de Hennin – de Henninstraat’s path, initially a small section near Rue Lesbroussart. Around 1880, the first section, between Rue Lesbroussart and Rue Charles Decoster (formerly Rue du Couvent), was laid. Later decrees in 1893 and 1907 finalized the street’s alignment, giving Rue de Hennin – de Henninstraat its current form. The street’s development spanned from 1874 to 1914, primarily featuring eclectic-style houses. Architect Florentin Flamand, a resident of Rue de Hennin – de Henninstraat since 1884, designed several of these early homes. His influence can be seen in numbers 77, 80, 88, and 90. Later, in the 1930s and 1950s, the remaining plots were filled with various architectural styles. The odd-numbered side of Rue de Hennin – de Henninstraat showcases a mix of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and modernist buildings. The even-numbered side is notable for its corner buildings, particularly the Beaux-Arts house at the intersection of Rue de l’Ermitage and Rue des Champs-Élysées. A Delhaize supermarket now occupies numbers 18-22, formerly the site of Beherman-Demoen automobile workshops designed by Victor Duyckers in 1954. The corner with Rue Charles Decoster is dominated by a large building housing an art gallery and offices. This structure, a fusion of several houses, originally served as the workshops of sculptors Jef Lambeaux and Isidore De Rudder in 1888. Over the years, these workshops underwent multiple transformations. In 1935, architect Maxime Brunfaut converted them into premises for the Meuwissen printing house and a metalworking studio. The most recent renovation occurred in 1998, when architect Michel Muamba Mutambayi added another floor, altering the building’s overall volume. Rue de Hennin – de Henninstraat stands as a testament to the passage of time and the evolving landscape of Brussels. Its varied architecture reflects different eras and styles, each contributing to the street’s unique character. The Hennin family, though shrouded in some mystery, left their mark on this neighborhood. Their name echoes through the years, giving this street a sense of history and intrigue.