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The building which sits at the junction of Square Ambiorix and rue
des Eburons belongs to the architectural ensemble of the “Squares’
district”. It occupies an important position because, with
its bow window, it provides the focal point at the end of both the
rue John Waterloo Wilson and rue des Eburons. It is also one of
the most important ‘town residences’ which make up the
north-western part of Square Ambiorix.
The
house was built at the turn of the 20th century for the stockbroker,
Jean-Julien Van Stappen, whose offices were in the rue de Spa. He
evidently wanted a fine residence where he could live with his wife,
his two children and his servants and where he could host receptions.
He commissioned the architect and designer George Hobé. After
8 decades of different owners and residents, the house has been
owned by Quakers since 1985 and houses the Quaker Council for European
Affairs.
The
exterior, the staircase and the reception rooms on the first floor
are almost as they were designed by George Hobé. When you
enter, note the size of the staircase which allows daylight to flow
into the house. When you look up you can see quite easily that the
skylight and hence the house are not perfectly rectangular. The
embossed wallpaper which covers the walls of the staircase is of
exceptional beauty.
On
the first floor, enter first into the dining room. The quality of
the wood reminds us that George Hobé was the son of a cabinetmaker.
The windows, the mirrors, the fireplace and the wood panelling are
all original. The doors that separate the dining room from the central
reception room are known for their glass panels which are Art Nouveau
in style; the crystal panes are of an exceptional purity. Note also
the door handles and other details. Like many other architects of
the time, Hobé paid as much attention to the details of the
interior decoration as to the overall lines of the walls and windows
on the outside.
When
you enter the reception room at the front you are amazed by the
effect of the light provided by the bow window. The room appears
to be open to the trees of the park. The bow window also serves
to disguise the fact that the house, and this room exceeds a 90o
angle (after your visit, compare the paving stones of the pavement
and those of the garden.) The mirrored bench seat is also original.
When
you leave, don’t forget to go to the corner of the rue des
Eburons and see the signature of George Hobé engraved in
the stone beneath the bow window.
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