Located on Rue Defacqz, in the heart of Brussels, Hôtel Wielemans is an exceptional townhouse built between 1925 and 1927 by Adrien Blomme for brewer Léon Wielemans. Inspired by Andalusian architecture and the Alhambra in Granada, it stands out for its luminous patio, refined decorations (Seville azulejos, stained glass, marble, artistic ironwork) and a garden structured around a water feature. Listed as a heritage site along with its garden since 1994, this monument reflects the refined lifestyle of the Brussels bourgeoisie of the 1920s.
The project, led by Atelier d’architecture CAZ, aimed to combine heritage restoration with a new purpose as high-end event and office spaces. The Art Deco interiors were carefully preserved and restored, while contemporary facilities were integrated to meet today’s needs.
The approach was based on in-depth historical and technical studies, as well as the collaboration of specialized craftsmen: ironwork, parquet, textile decoration, stained glass, landscape restoration… The façades, weathered by time and covered with Virginia creeper, were meticulously restored, regaining their original “fish-scale” texture and ochre tones.
Today, Hôtel Wielemans embodies a successful reconciliation between past and present. This project demonstrates how a rigorous, collaborative and respectful approach can breathe new life into an iconic heritage site, while sustainably adapting it to contemporary needs.
