Who owns the Grand-Place in Brussels?

21/12/2020

Considered by Victor Hugo as one of the most beautiful in the world and "the most beautiful theatre in the world" by Jean Cocteau, the Grand-Place in Brussels, which has by turns witnessed both dramatic and festive events, has itself almost been destroyed several times during its eventful history. We invite you to discover the members of the very select club of owners of this mythical and prestigious place.

In the past, the rich guilds of corporations used these facades to make themselves look good. Nowadays, only the Federation of Belgian Brewers still has its headquarters on the Grand-Place, although it does not own the building. Like 10 of the 33 buildings that make up the square, it is owned by the City of Brussels. These buildings include, of course, the Gothic city hall, and opposite it the museum which houses the more than a thousand costumes of Manneken Pis, and also the Maison du Cygne, where Karl Marx celebrated his birthday and where the Belgian Workers' Party was founded; it now houses a luxury restaurant.

Next come the family owned houses, most often belonging to members of the nobility: de Jamblinne, de Meux, de Fooz, de Broqueville... and also lesser known names such as Jozef Van de Velde, a Flemish ophthalmologist who alone owned almost a quarter of the square. There are also companies, notably the two sister banks KBC and CBC, and finally real estate companies such as the investment trust Cofinimmo.

Obviously, staying under the golds and Gothic statues is not free, with the monthly rent for a 200 m2 apartment in La Chaloupe 3,500 euros. By way of compensation, you can enjoy the privilege of a view of the most beautiful square in the world.