Once a mere dead end, Rue de la Verdure now stretches before us. It connects Place Anneessens to Rue d’Anderlecht. This street wasn’t always the thoroughfare it is today.
Originally named Rue de la Blanchisserie, it was part of the Vieux Marché. The market was established back in 1639. Imagine this area bustling with merchants and shoppers. Rue de la Verdure was then just a small alley.
In the 1860s Rue de la Verdure was extended. It was integrated into a new district south and east of Rue d’Anderlecht. This expansion reshaped the street’s character. The newest section stretches from Rue du Vautour.
Look around at the buildings. They are mostly neoclassical in style. These houses were built in the second half of the 1860s. Most have four floors and two or three bays. Notice the simple design and the use of classical elements.
The facades were plastered and painted. Windows are arched. Many have molded frames. Take note of the continuous sills. Examples can be seen at numbers 24-26, 28, and 32. Numbers 37, 39, 40, 41-43, and 69 also show these features. The paired houses at numbers 46 to 56 have been raised.
Corner buildings show similar designs. See numbers 35 and 49-63. Unfortunately, many facades have been altered over time. This disrupts the street’s original look. Most ground floors have been remodeled. However, some classic shop windows remain. Check out numbers 28, 41-43, 46, and 48.
At numbers 65-67, there’s a small low house. It shares similar features. This might have been the entrance to an old workshop or storage area.
Originally, the street was known as “Blyck straete”. It was part of the development around the “Oude Markt” in 1639. The layout connected to Anderlechtsesteenweg. This connection was made via Pottenbakkersstraat, Valkstraat, and Peperstraat.
Today, Rue de la Verdure is home to various buildings. This includes a municipal school and social housing. The “Pottenbakkersstraat” social housing was built between 1958 and 1965. It was designed by Groupe Structures, architects V. Degand and L. Van Hove.
If you were to rent an apartment here, imagine the views. Some apartments offer nice views of the city. From a fifth-floor apartment at Rue de la Verdure 35, you might see illuminated church towers at night. For groceries, you could simply cross the street.
The Rue de la Verdure, once a humble dead-end alley, has transformed into a vibrant street. Its neoclassical architecture and rich history provide a glimpse into Brussels’ evolving urban landscape.