Step onto Rue Général Thys Generaal Thysstraat a street steeped in history. This unassuming thoroughfare holds a fascinating tale. It connects Avenue de la Couronne to Avenue Arnaud Fraiteur a straight shot through time. Royal decree in 1928 officially established Rue Général Thys. The plan was to create a public road. This was between Avenue de la Couronne and Avenue Maréchal Pétain now Avenue Arnaud Fraiteur.
The street’s namesake is General Albert Thys a significant figure. He specialized in colonial matters. He founded the Congo Company for Commerce and Industry and the Congo Railway Company. His impact resonates even today. The street bears witness to his legacy. This is a legacy often overlooked in modern Brussels.
Construction of Rue Général Thys began in earnest during the 1930s. Art Deco style houses and small apartment buildings went up. Architect Louis Billen designed a notable group of five buildings. These are located at numbers 17 19 21 26 and 28. They were completed in 1935. A testament to the era’s aesthetic.
The remaining empty plots filled in later during the 1940s and 1950s. Larger buildings emerged then. Buildings at numbers 20 1949 and 22 1947 stand as examples. Architect R Gilliard designed these identical structures. Their symmetry is striking.
Walking down Rue Général Thys you see a blend of architectural styles. It reflects the city’s evolution over time. From the elegant Art Deco to the more imposing structures of the post-war era. Rue Général Thys is more than just a street. It’s a living timeline. It is a testament to urban development in 20th-century Brussels. Each building whispers a story of the past. Each building is a character in this urban narrative. The street itself is a stage where history unfolds.
So take a moment to appreciate Rue Général Thys. Let the buildings around you transport you back in time. To a Brussels of grand designs and ambitious projects. It’s a story waiting to be discovered. A story woven into the very fabric of the city. A story told in brick and stone. In the design and the details.