Rue Vanderschrick – Vanderschrickstraat

What’s in a name? A lot, especially when it comes to Rue Vanderschrick in Brussels. This street breathes the legacy of a prominent Saint-Gilles family. The Vanderschricks, landowners and political powerhouses, shaped this district. Rue Vanderschrick stands as a testament to their influence. Égide Vanderschrick served as mayor from 1825 to 1840. His son, Jean, likely the street’s namesake, held the mayoral post from 1840 to 1860. Fernand, the grandson, continued the family tradition, leading Saint-Gilles from 1896 to 1899. Rue Vanderschrick reflects the family’s deep roots. They owned several plots of land here. These plots were developed by the architect-entrepreneur Jean-Baptiste Carsoel. He built the houses at numbers 66, 68, 70, 72, and 74. The family also ran a distillery and vinegar factory at numbers 83 and 85. Rue Vanderschrick displays a fascinating blend of architectural styles. The oldest section stretches from Place de Bethléem to Rue de l’Église Saint-Gilles. It was laid out in 1863 and officially opened in 1872. This part of Rue Vanderschrick is characterized by rows of neoclassical facades. Most of these buildings date back to the 1870s. Many were later faced with brick between the 1940s and 1960s. The newer section of Rue Vanderschrick, extended to Chaussée de Waterloo in 1898, boasts a striking ensemble of Art Nouveau houses. These fourteen houses, designed by architect Ernest Blerot, were built between 1900 and 1902. They stand on the odd-numbered side, facing eclectic buildings of notable quality. The extension of Rue Vanderschrick was part of a broader urban development plan. This plan also included the creation of Avenue Jean Volders, which intersects Rue Vanderschrick. The project was costly, requiring significant expropriation. Its aim was to beautify and improve the sanitation of the area. The neighborhood had been deemed deplorable, both aesthetically and hygienically. Remnants of the area’s industrial past can still be found along Rue Vanderschrick. Among these are the former André children’s car factory at number 27, now a baby goods store. The Vanderschrick distillery at numbers 83 and 85 also stands as a reminder of the area’s industrial heritage. A former beer depot at number 107 further adds to the street’s layered history.