The scent of leather hangs heavy in the air. A ghost of a bygone era. Welcome to Rue des Tanneurs Huidevettersstraat.
This isn’t just any street. It’s a living testament to Brussels’ rich history. For centuries the Rue des Tanneurs thrived as the heart of the city’s tanning industry. Imagine the pungent smells of hides soaking in vats. The rhythmic clang of hammers shaping leather. The skilled hands of generations of tanners at work.
The name itself ‘Rue des Tanneurs’ or ‘Huidevettersstraat’ in Dutch means Tanner’s Street. It speaks volumes. This street was once lined with tanneries. These workshops operated from the 16th century right up to the early 20th century. Their presence shaped not only the street’s character but also the city’s economy.
Notice the architecture. The northern part is older. It shows a fascinating blend of ancient buildings and early 19th-century neoclassical houses. These stand alongside larger industrial and commercial complexes.
The southern section however is noticeably different. It was extended around 1850. The buildings here are neoclassical. They represent a more uniform building style erected in two phases. One between the 1850s and early 1860s the other in the 1880s and early 1890s. Many of these buildings still stand. They bear witness to the street’s evolution. They showcase Brussels’ architectural development through the years.
Some buildings such as numbers 146-150 152-156 162 164 174 176 178 and 213-219 were built in the earlier phase. They feature smooth facades punctuated by moldings and rectangular windows. Notice the classical entablatures or half-stories crowning these elegant buildings.
Numbers 117 and 121 123 124 125-127 157 and 159 175-177 189 and 191 and 193-201 represent the later building phase. These also show the neoclassical style. They are adorned with subtle stucco work. Often used in window frames sometimes even lowered ones.
The ground floors have often been transformed into commercial spaces. Look at numbers 129-131. These are from the 1920s. They are striking examples of Art Deco. They are decorated with beautiful friezes flower baskets and stained glass windows.
Near the Rue du Lavoir you’ll find the social housing complexes ‘Tanneurs/Lavoir’ and ‘ilot de la Querelle’. These are legacies of post-war urban development. They were built by the ‘Foyer Bruxellois’. They demonstrate a different chapter in the Rue des Tanneurs’ story.
Even today remnants of the tanneries remain. The very air you breathe carries the subtle scent of leather. This echoes the street’s rich heritage. The Rue des Tanneurs Huidevettersstraat stands as a poignant reminder of a past industry that once defined this area. It’s a street that continues to evolve. Yet it still retains a tangible connection to its past.