In Brussels, it was the Palais des Beaux-Arts (1922-1929), designed by the great Victor Horta, that introduced the trend. Subsequent private mansions, bourgeois houses and apartment blocks were inspired by this unique aesthetic, making the capital a European Art Deco flagship. The Art Deco movement of architecture and design appeared in Brussels, Belgium, immediately after World War I when the famed architect Victor Horta began designing the Centre for Fine Arts, and continued until the beginning of World War II in 1939.
It took its name from the International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts held in Paris in 1925. At the end of World War II, Art. Brussels is a city of quiet grandeur, a place where historical and modern architecture mix and mingle, with many surprising gems coming your way in most unexpected ways.
In 2024, the region celebrated Art Nouveau architecture in Brussels but this year the spotlight goes on Art Deco heritage of our city. Sleek yet opulent, geometric yet organic, the movement left an indelible mark on the. Discover Brussels' hidden architectural gems beyond the Grand Place.
Join travel expert Barry Pickard on a journey through Villa Empain's Art Deco grandeur, the Horta Museum's Art Nouveau masterpieces, Van Buuren's preserved 1920s lifestyle, and Magritte's modest creative sanctuary. Complete with practical transport tips for independent travellers exploring these remarkable house museums. Museum David and Alice Van Buuren 6km from our hotel This museum, once the private residence of the Van Buuren family, is a hidden Art Deco gem in Brussels.
Built in the 1920s, the house is a masterpiece of interior design, featuring exquisite stained glass, custom-made furniture, and a remarkable art collection. The surrounding gardens, designed in various styles, add to the charm and. Exceptionally well preserved, this house museum is filled with period furniture, tapestries, stained glass windows, sculptures and paintings.
This architectural gem, typical of the Amsterdam School, is a sumptuous setting for a unique Art Deco interior. A jewel of Art Deco architecture, the Villa Empain opened its doors to the public in 2010 as headquarters of the Boghossian Foundation, a centre for art and dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures. When its owners died, the house became a museum.
Its garden is one of the high points of the visit. 10 - Square Coghen In the heart of Uccle, the square Coghen is a melting. The Brussels-Capital Region has declared 2025 the year of Art Deco and counts the House of European History, housed in the former George Eastman Dental Institute, among its 'must-sees'.
The museum is honoured to participate in the initiative and contribute to the enhancement of Brussels' iconic heritage. The music room and black salon at the Van Buuren Museum. Photograph: Harriet Thorpe In the Brussels neighbourhood of Uccle, an asymmetrical red brick house hides an exquisite 1930s French Art Deco interior - a perfectly synchronised kaleidoscope of craft, design and art that feeds the eye at every turn.