Saint-Gilles Town Hall

Saint-Gilles has one of the most sumptious town halls in Brussels. It was built in 1895 in French Neo-Renaissance style by architect Albert Dumont, in collaboration with Auguste Hebbelynck. The town hall, which was constructed on the site of an old sand quarry, was destined to become the main focal point of the new South Quarter. Dumont managed to break away from his favourite style, the Flemish neo-Renaissance, and created a beautiful unity, with a horseshoe-shaped floor plan, a grand staircase, large reception rooms and a high bell tower. Striking a balance between innovation and knowledge of older materials, Dumont used brick and reinforced concrete next to hewn stone.
The greatest artists of their time were called upon to embellish the building: no fewer than 38 sculptures in bronze, white chalk or Carrara marble adorn its facades. Sculptors include Jef Lambeaux, Ferdinand Schirren and Julien Dillens. The luxurious interior was provided by Fernand Khnopff and the couple Hélène and Isidore de Rudder.