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Built in 1779

The Maison Frère-Orban at 23 rue Ducale was built in the late 18th century (1779)  when Belgium was part of the Austrian Empire during the reign of Maria Theresa Habsburg.

The French urban architect Gilles Barnabé Guimard was responsible for the mapping of the entire street and for the design of the adjoining Brussels Park (together with Joachim Zinner, gardener to the Austro-Hungarian court) and of many of the surrounding buildings including the Belgian Federal Parliament, the rue Royale and the nearby Place Royale.

The Rue Ducale takes its name from the area, which for many centuries was home to the court of both the Dukes of Burgundy and of the Dukes of Brabant whose palace on this site was destroyed by fire in 1731. 

As most of the buildings around Brussels Park, Maison Frère-Orban is part of an even and harmonious architectural ensemble built in the neoclassical style which was typical of late 18th century architecture. It is a perfect example of the grandeur of scale, sober elegance and simplicity of geometric form  that characterizes neoclassical architecture which, inspired by a new taste for antique simplicity,  represented a general reaction to the excesses of the Rococo style. From the beginning Rue Ducale became one of the most prestigious address in Brussels. It has retained all of its prestige and counts a number of prominent buildings including the Palais des Académies, the Prime Minister’s official résidence, the office of the President of the Brussels Region and several embassies.

The Maison Frère-Orban is located between the US and the UK embassies which makes it one of the most secure places in Brussels with a permanent military detachment present on its doorstep. The house at 23 Rue Ducale was purchased by the family of Frère-Orban in the mid 19th century and became his primary residence until his death in 1896.

Steps away from the Prime Ministers’ Official Residence in one direction and from the Parliament in the other it was indeed an ideal location for a prominent politician to inhabit. Since then the house has remained in the ownership of his descendants and is currently owned by a sixth generation direct descendant of Frère-Orban. 

Noteworthy contents of the house

The Maison Frère-Orban houses a number of objects of historical and artistic importance. 

Office of Frère-Orban

By the entrance on the ground floor is the study of Frère-Orban which has not been modified since he lived there more than 120 years ago.

Dining room

It is part of a full service of more than 200 plates and dishes which can still be used today for dinners and lunches in this dining room. 

The curtains have even hand painted on silk by the renowned Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave with colours and motives assorted to the Gien plates, which together with the colour of the walls creates a particularly elegant and harmonious setting. 

Staircase

The main staircase is an old oak staircase which was moved from a country chateau and was installed in the house. On the wall going up and before the first landing is a period drawing of the Brussels Park and the adjoining streets, including the 23 rue Ducale, which shows the architectural and urbanistique ensemble as originally conceived. 

Main sitting room

In the main sitting room, on the first floor,  there is beautiful Louis XVI wood panelling which dates back to the early 18th century and originally came from a Parisian private hotel.

The curtains are hand painted on silk by the Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave. She also created a unique contemporary coffee table which provides a striking modern contrast to the elegance of this 19th century interior. 

Of unique historical interest, open on the dresser, is a large book containing the originals of hundred of letters written by all Belgian municipalities in 1860 to thank Frère-Orban, at the time Minister of Finance, for having fundamentally reformed the financing of all  Belgian municipalities by abolishing local tarifs and duties. As these were a major impediment to the free flow of goods this reform was lauded by all.  

In the corner of the room is a white marble buste of Frère-Orban by Eugene Simonis à famous Belgian artist which was commissioned by the city of Lieges, Frere Orban’s home town. Two copies were made, one which is in the Museum of the City of Liege and this copy which was given to Frere Orban and stayed in the family. 

Conference room

In the adjoining conference room are portraits of Frère-Orban’s grandson, Florimont Hankar when he was the Governor of the National Bank of Belgium in the 1930’s and of his great grandson Robert Hankar who was for many years the Chairman and CEO AG Insurance.

Between the portraits is a fine sketch for a portait of Frere Orban by Frans von Lenbach, one of the most famous German portraitist of the 19th century who was known for having painted the many of the prominent figures at the time including Pope Leon XIII, Bismarck, Gladstone and many others.