Laura Henderson tours the Belgian capital, where top architects are re-interpreting residential design
The penthouse’s designer credentials have been compared with the Weissenhof Estate in Stuttgart, made famous in the 1930s by Le Corbusier and Mies Van der Rohe. It’s a flattering association for property owner and developer Peter Bracke, but one he’s quick to dismiss. “Living space, for me, is first and foremost about comfort,” he explains, “although I subscribe to the clutter-free philosophy for ease of use.”
A vision in minimalist white, Bracke’s home, hidden behind the unassuming walls of an apartment block in downtown Brussels, has taken time to evolve “When I bought the place in 2003, I effectively had a blank canvas on which to decorate – making good the walls and laying down stone flooring” he explains. “I wanted a clean look, so superfluous features were strictly taboo.”
Asked what works for him, he replies: “Pure white as a backdrop and raw elemental materials, such as steel, chrome, marble and glass, are visually effective. I also chose flooring that could be easily cleaned – wood and stone – and softened the look with large geometric and plain rugs.” His taste in furniture with boxy timeless shapes and modular sofas also gives a streamlined look, as does the nonintrusive storage that hides everything away. “You can easily spend time and money on details that don’t add value,” he says. “The trick is to invest in things that are really going to create impact – eye-catching kitchen units, for one.”
The crest of a the wave
A winning concept when it comes to cool styling, Bracke’s shiny home adaptation has caught the wave of demand for unapologetically modern real estate in the capital, with developers and architects customising both commercial and residential units for a growing sector of young, design-conscious investors. “Loft apartments have been around for years,” explains Javier Van Kerrebrouck of Metropole Properties. “They have particular appeal with the expat market. The minimalist look, however, is now becoming more egalitarian, spreading to haute gamme districts like Avenue Louise and up-and-coming areas such as Jette, St Gery and Molenbeek.”
Modern, confirms Kerrebrouck, accounts for a good 10% of the residential market. Prices start from around €2,000-3,000 per square metre, but often exceed €3,500.
Celine Brachwitz of Trevi Immobilier Neuf has also been monitoring the rise in new investments and welcomes the trend: “Downtown has some of the funkiest districts, with a constant stream of hip bars, clubs and boutiques opening up. Why should real estate be left out of the loop? Belgians, especially the young, are increasingly setting the tone and evolving. When they read about designers and architects, they want to own some of their work or at least to emulate the lifestyle in some way. Buying a chic apartment is one way of achieving that.”
Built in 1850 on the site of a former watermill in the Chaussee d’Anvers, Loft Boheme is one of the best examples of an industrial conversion refit. Crowned by a zinc roof and sporting 3m high ceilings and oversized windows, the six floor, €1m property’s central feature is a brick staircase and stairwell decorated in graffiti by local artists. Open-plan living spaces on the top three levels allow for ‘design and create’ entertaining, working and sleeping areas.
“It’s an innovative project,” says Abigail Cherrier of EU Property Portfolio, agents for the property, “but it’s also a renovation style that’s in tune with residents’ way of life. The whole idea is to allow owners to entertain, to conduct business and to relax at home, optimising the popular live-work concept.” Simple structural changes have also made a difference; replacing wooden posts with cast iron ones to retain a semi-industrial feel.
Recessed display cases in the lounge area (previously a small wall) have been seized by the developer as a design opportunity. Polished wooden floors complete the minimalist look, with sliding doors, exposed brick and wooden beams creating a functional, low-key atmosphere.
Renowned for his talking-point residences in Ibiza, Switzerland and Gran Canaria, Brussels-based architect Marc Corbiau is also blazing a contemporary trail closer to home, with award-winning projects such as Le Grey in Avenue Louise. His latest venture, in collaboration with real estate company Beaufort House, is Residence Downtown, an eight-storey urban integration jewel comprising 40 deluxe two-bed apartments. Prices range from €310,000 for a 90m² unit to €525,000 for an 115m² unit. The architecture inside as well as outside is a pleasure to look at, with its subtle blend of sunlight and straight lines.
“Everything has been designed for personal comfort without neglecting the private character of each apartment, from natural stone floors to large picture windows providing access to the terraces,” explains Beaufort House managing director Philippe Weidner. “Each apartment has a fully fitted designer kitchen and bathrooms. There’s air conditioning throughout and the meticulous decoration has been adapted to accommodate custom appliances.” A first for downtown residential community projects in the area is the communal roof terrace with a panoramic city view.
Close to Beguinage and the Quartier St Gery, developer Trevi Immobilier Neuf is bringing its own brand of turnkey simplicity to the district, transforming four original warehouse buildings into trendy, style-conscious units. Its delicious Place de Beguinage project comprises 150m²–256m² apartments with 4m high ceilings. Prices for a one-bedroom apartment start from €140,000, rising to €270,000 for a three-bedroom. The latest addition to Trevi’s portfolio is Residence Longtin, in the northern district of Jette, five minutes from downtown Brussels. Stunning one-bed, loft-style, 77m² apartments start from €150,000, rising to €295,00 for a spacious three-bed, split-level unit. The supersize-me 160m² penthouse goes for €390,000.
Says Cherrier: “Contemporary designs are thought-provoking, and that’s a good thing. A formulaic approach can kill property values – something investors won’t have to concern themselves with here.”
Contacts
* www.trevi.be
* www.residencedowntown.be
* www.metrop.be
* www.eupp.co.uk
* www.beauforthouse.be
* www.hydeparkresidence.be
* www.homeinbrussels.com
* www.louisedechatelain.be
FR » Le modernisme à Bruxelles
Le luxueux appartement de Peter Bracke a été comparé au lotissement Weissenhof à Stuttgart, rendu célèbre dans les années 30 par Le Corbusier et Mies Van der Rohe. C’est une association flatteuse, mais Bracke s’en défend, déclarant: “un lieu de vie, pour moi, c’est d’abord et avant tout un endroit confortable, bien que je souscrive pour l’essentiel à la philosophie généraliste du fonctionnalisme.” Cette conception s’applique parfaitement aux tendances du design actuel que Bracke adapte à l’univers de la maison aujourd’hui et qui s’inscrit dans le sillage d’une modernité sans réserve dans la capitale. Les promoteurs et architectes y transforment autant les commerces que les logements, répondant à une demande croissante de jeunes investisseurs sensibles à la qualité du style. “Le style minimaliste apparaît maintenant plus égalitaire” précise Javier Van Kerrebrouck de Metropole Properties.
“Ce style se propage dans les quartiers luxueux comme l’avenue Louise et les zones d’urbanisation nouvelle, comme Jette, St Géry et Molenbeek”.
Loft Bohème est l’un des meilleurs exemples de reconversion d’un bâtiment industriel, construit en 1850 sur le site d’un ancien moulin à eau de la chaussée d’Anvers. Le plan ouvert des espaces de logement aux trois étages supérieurs a permis un design créatif des aires de loisir, de travail et de résidence. L’architecte basé à Bruxelles, Marc Corbiau, contribue également à cette dimension contemporaine dans le logement, avec des projets lauréats comme Le Grey, avenue Louise. Sa dernière réalisation, en collaboration avec Beaufort House, est un bâtiment au centre ville, Residence Downtown, un bijou d’intégration urbaine de 8 étages qui comprend 40 appartements de luxe à deux chambres. Le promoteur Trevi Immobilier Neuf apporte sa propre marque de simplicité clef-sur-porte dans le quartier du Béguinage et dans le quartier Saint-Géry, avec notamment quatre rénovations d’entrepôts en ensembles à la mode, au style affirmé. Son sublime projet Place du Béguinage propose des appartements de 150 à 256m² de 4m de hauteur de plafond.
NL » Modernisme in Brussel
Het penthouse van Peter Bracke is al vergeleken met de Weissenhofwijk in Stuttgart, beroemd geworden in de jaren 1930 dankzij Le Corbusier en Mies Van der Rohe. Een flatterende vergelijking, maar Bracke veegt ze snel van tafel: “Leefruimte gaat voor mij in de eerste plaats om comfort, hoewel ik de “clutter-free” filosofie voor functionaliteit wel onderschrijf”.
De cool styling van Bracke slaat aan als concept en pikt in op de trend van het resoluut moderne vastgoed in de hoofdstad. Daarbij creëren ontwikkelaars en architecten zowel commerciële als residentiële projecten op maat van een groeiende sector jonge en designbewuste investeerders. “De minimalistische look vindt steeds ruimer ingang”, aldus Javier Van Kerrebrouck van Metropole Properties. “Ze dijt uit naar luxewijken als de Louizalaan en aankomende wijken als Jette, Sint-Goriks en Molenbeek.”
Loft Boheme, gebouwd in 1850 op de plaats van een vroegere watermolen aan de Antwerpsesteenweg, is een van de beste voorbeelden van industriële conversie. Open leefruimten op de hoogste drie niveaus zijn vrij in te richten als entertainment-, werk- en slaapzones.
Brusselaar Marc Corbiau doet ook dichter bij huis zijn naam als hedendaags architect eer aan met bekroonde projecten als Le Grey in de Louizalaan. Zijn nieuwste realisatie, samen met Beaufort House, is Residence Downtown. Dat gebouw van 8 verdiepingen is een parel van stedenbouwkundige integratie en bestaat uit 40 luxeappartementen met twee slaapkamers.
Projectontwikkelaar Trevi Immobilier Neuf verovert met zijn eigen “sleutel op de deur”-eenvoud het Begijnhof en de Sint-Gorikswijk door vier oorspronkelijke pakhuizen om te vormen tot trendy en stijlbewuste woonruimten. Het project aan het Begijnhofplein omvat appartementen van 150 m² tot 256 m² met 4 meter hoge plafonds.
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