Verregat

Hidden within Brussels, the Cité du Verregat whispers tales of community and architectural ingenuity. Ever wondered how a cooperative of gas company employees and railway workers could create their own picturesque haven? The Verregat, born from the vision of the Le Home Cooperative, stands as a testament to their ambition. In 1922, on land once belonging to the Verregat farm, south of the intersection of the present-day rues des Genévrier and du Verregat, construction began. The land also housed the former Verregat Hippodrome, a racecourse with picturesque stands built in 1908. Architects Henri Derée and Jules Ghobert blended Amsterdam School influences with a touch of the picturesque, bringing to life a garden city dream. The first phase, completed in 1926, saw the construction of 177 houses of five different types and a 14-apartment block perched atop the highest point. Street names, evoking the fragrance of plants and shrubs, were assigned in 1925. The chemin du Pourpier followed in 1927, while the pre-existing Place du Lotus received its official designation in 1935. Although originally planned to include 450 houses, the initial phase fell short. Yet, the Verregat thrived. Two-thirds of the houses were eventually sold to the cooperators. A second phase of construction between 1951 and 1953, also led by Ghobert, added 27 buildings containing 144 apartments along the Avenue des Magnolias and Chaussée Romaine. These three-story brick structures, accented with yellow ceramic frames and red claustras, introduced a new layer to the Verregat’s tapestry. The Verregat’s curving streets and triangular or semi-circular plazas, such as those at the chemins de la Perce-Neige and du Pourpier, create charming vistas. The varied perspectives, enhanced by staggered house groupings, each with its front garden, add to the picturesque charm. Imagine strolling along the rue du Romarin, the main access point from Chaussée Romaine, and looking up at the monumental apartment block at its end. Picture the original red brick facades of the first-phase houses, accented with blue stone and small-paned windows. Though Derée intended to plaster the brick facades, the plan was never executed, revealing the vibrant, smooth red bricks used for the decorative elements like basements, angles, frames, and geometric patterns. Envision the front gardens, once enclosed by low brick walls and hedges, with entrances framed by brick pillars and wooden gates or iron grills. Despite renovations in the 1980s and later modifications by individual homeowners, the Verregat retains its unique character. The Cité du Verregat isn’t just a neighborhood; it’s a story etched in brick and stone. It’s a reminder of a time when community spirit and affordable housing dreams blossomed in the heart of Brussels.