Beneath our feet lies the tale of Rue Edmond Bonehill. This street in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean was not always known by that name. It was once called Rue de l’Ouest. Imagine Brussels in a time long ago. The street received its current name to honor Edmond Bonehill.
Who was Edmond Bonehill? He was a Brussels industrialist. Bonehill established the Brasserie Vandenheuvel. This brewery was located on Rue Alphonse Vandenpeereboom. The brewery became quite famous in its time.
Have you ever heard of La Stout or Export beer? These beers made the estaminets foam. Sylvie Lausberg wrote about this era in Le Soir on August 3 1999. Her article was titled “It was at the time when Brussels was inventing.” It highlights Vandenheuvel’s impact.
Rue Edmond Bonehill has seen its share of events. In February 2018, a fire broke out at numbers 149-151. The police were alerted late Friday evening. The building was under renovation.
The firefighters faced challenges extinguishing the blaze. Debris under concrete slabs made it difficult. Smoke lingered even after the flames were gone. Two people suffered minor smoke inhalation. A family of five was evacuated as a precaution. Rue Alphonse Vandenpeereboom was temporarily closed.
Today, Rue Edmond Bonehill is a residential area. New apartments are available for rent. The Tannat project offers modern living spaces. These apartments feature shared gardens and community spaces. Public transport is easily accessible.
Consider the convenience of these modern apartments. One-bedroom flats offer about 66 square meters of space. Two-bedroom flats provide around 85 square meters. These apartments include shared amenities. There is a green inner garden and laundry facilities. A bike room adds to the community feel.
As we stand here on Rue Edmond Bonehill, remember its layers of history. From its beginnings as Rue de l’Ouest. To its renaming in honor of an industrialist. Think about the brewery he founded. Reflect on the fire that tested the community. And acknowledge its present as a modern residential street. This street is more than just a location. It is a testament to Brussels’ evolving story.