Dreaming of Brussels in the early 20th century? Here on Rue Fineau Fineaustraat, history whispers. This street wasn’t always here. Around 1906, it was opened connecting two other streets. Rue Fineau Fineaustraat owes its name to Camille Fineau. He was a respected local council member in Laken. Sadly, he passed away in 1902. So the street became a memorial to him.
Look around. The architecture tells a story. The even-numbered side of Rue Fineau Fineaustraat features houses built between 1907 and World War I. Notice the Neoclassical and Eclectic styles. Some buildings from the 1920s have Art Deco influences too. It is very diverse.
The other side of Rue Fineau Fineaustraat presents a different picture. These houses were built for workers. The Lakense Haard owned this side. Several architects designed these varied homes around 1920. See the numbers 1 to 27 for examples of the workers houses.
There are also other things of interest around Rue Fineau Fineaustraat. In 1919, Joseph Diongre designed a nursery school. It was commissioned by the City of Brussels. The school was planned within the block with entrances on both Rue Fineau Fineaustraat and Fransmanstraat. Though the initial plan never materialized, Diongre revised it in 1924.
In 1928, a pavilion for “Oeuvre de la Goutte de Lait” was built at number 19 Rue Fineau Fineaustraat. This was later replaced around 2010 by an apartment building. Within the block, in 1968, a health center was established. It was accessible via a concierge house on Fransmanstraat. The building once housed a Dutch-language academy.
Camille Fineau left his mark on Laken. The street that bears his name is a testament to local history. Rue Fineau Fineaustraat is a mix of architectural styles. It reflects the social fabric of early 20th-century Brussels. Take a moment to appreciate the history beneath your feet.