Peeking through the trees, Villa Empain stands as an Art Deco jewel. It is a testament to a bygone era. The Villa Empain is more than just a building. It is a story etched in stone and glass.
Baron Louis Empain commissioned this house in 1930. He was the son of a famous industrialist. Michel Polak, a Swiss-Belgian architect, designed it. Construction finished in 1934. The Villa Empain quickly became a sensation. Its Art Deco style was rare in Belgium.
Notice the polished Baveno granite on the facades. It comes all the way from Italy. See the brass profiles covered in gold leaf. These details show the extravagance of the time. The Villa Empain was built on what was then called Avenue des Nations. It is now Avenue Franklin Roosevelt.
Step inside the Villa Empain. Imagine the lavish interiors. Escalette and Bois Jourdan marble adorn the walls. Tropical woods cover floors and paneling. Elaborate glass mosaics shimmer with light. A backlit glass ceiling adds to the grandeur.
Interestingly, Baron Empain may have never truly lived here. He realized the villa wasn’t quite suitable for living. Some say he only used it for a year. Then he moved to Canada.
In 1937, Empain donated the Villa Empain to the Belgian government. He wanted it to be a museum. However, history had other plans. During World War II, the German army requisitioned it in 1943. It became their local headquarters.
After the war, the Villa Empain was ceded to the Soviet Union. It served as their embassy. Louis Empain was unhappy. He eventually reclaimed the villa in 1963. In 1973, he sold it to Harry Tcherkezian. He was an Armenian-American businessman.
From 1980 to 1993, RTL television used the Villa Empain. After that, it fell into disrepair. Vandals damaged it. It was a sad sight for such a magnificent building.
Thankfully, the Boghossian Foundation purchased the Villa Empain in 2006. They began a meticulous restoration. It took four years to complete. In 2010, the Villa Empain reopened as a cultural center. It fosters dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures.
The restoration won the Europa Nostra award in 2011. The Villa Empain now hosts exhibitions, lectures, and events. The swimming pool and pergola have been revived.
As you stand here, consider the Villa Empain’s journey. It has been a private residence, a museum, an embassy, and a TV station. Today, it is a symbol of art and cultural exchange. The Villa Empain stands as a protected monument. It is a testament to Brussels’ rich history.