Hôtel Solvay

1900 Victor Horta

Avenue Louise 224 | Bruxelles

Ch. Bastin & J. Evrard © urban.brussels
Fireplace, lounge (photo ca 1990)
Mathieu Litt © urban.brussels
Winter garden, third floor (photo 2015)
Ch. Bastin & J. Evrard © urban.brussels
Foot of the staircase, entrance hall (photo ca 1990)
Ch. Bastin & J. Evrard © urban.brussels
Lounge (photo ca 1990)
Architecture & Décoration, 1903, pl.33
Façade (photo ca 1903)
Ch. Bastin & J. Evrard © urban.brussels
Lounge (photo ca 1990)
Ch. Bastin & J. Evrard © urban.brussels
Bathroom (photo ca 1990)
Ch. Bastin & J. Evrard © urban.brussels
Stairwell (photo ca 1990)
© KIK-IRPA, Brussels
Val Saint-Lambert chandelier, music room, first floor
Horta Museum Archives, Saint-Gilles
Painting by Théo Van Rysselberghe, landing, bel étage or main floor (old photo)
Horta Museum Archives, Saint-Gilles
Dining room (old photo)

Here you are on the prestigious Avenue Louise, where one of the most remarkable creations by architect Victor Horta stands before you. It was designed for one of the country’s wealthiest individuals, the industrialist Armand Solvay, who wanted a private mansion proportionate to his success. It appears that the architect had access to almost unlimited financial resources. The Solvay mansion, now on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, is a true blueprint of Horta’s ideas and one of the most successful creations of his career.

Area Louise
Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site Learn more Inventory of architectural heritage
This façade is fairly symmetrical and reinterprets those of all the mansions that once existed on this avenue: a wide balcony for the bel étage, or main floor, and a carriage entrance leading to the stables. But it also consists of glass and iron, which are resolutely modern.
Note the numerous air vents that pierce the façade; these provide each room with natural air-conditioning.

The interior is a true visual explosion. Horta used the finest and most precious materials of his time: marbles, exotic woods, velvets, gold and brass. The overall colour scheme, ranging from red to orange tones, enhances the ambiance of luxury and comfort.
Yet Horta also dared to use materials normally associated with industry (varnished bricks, riveted beams) for this luxury house, which earned him the admiration of some and strong criticism from others.
The double flight staircase is topped by a fan-shaped glass roof and leads to an imposing Pointillist painting by Théo Van Rysselberghe. All of the furniture and the chandeliers are still present in the house, as are the carpets, clocks and vases.

This masterpiece can be visited by booking in advance and is certainly a wonder to behold; you will not be disappointed.

Nearby

By the same architect