The Palais Stoclet was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in June 2009.
The building in Brussels was built in 1905 by the architect Josef Hoffman, at the request of the banker and collector Adolphe Stoclet. This palace was the banker's way of demonstrating his love for his wife Suzanne.
It is a blend of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, and marks the transition to the modernist movement. Hoffmann did not have any financial or aesthetic constraints. As such, he surrounded himself with the most talented avant-garde artists of the 20th century.
The mosaics on the ceilings are the work of Léopold Forstner, while the alabaster figurine on the interior fountain is by George Minne. Gustav Klimt was also involved in creating the murals and Hoffmann himself designed the Bösendorfer grand piano, which sits in the music room.
Completed by 1911, the Palais Stoclet is proof of the renewal of ideas in 20th century European architecture and is the perfect representation of the movement for Viennese Secession.
Unfortunately, the interior of the Palace is no longer accessible to the public, following the death of Baroness Stoclet ten years ago. However, if you happen to be at 279-281 Avenue de Tervueren, the exterior of the Palace, with its refined cubic facade, covered in marble and decorated with bronze rods, is well worth a visit and you will even have a chance to view the tower topped by the sculptures by Frank Metzner.