The flat rooftops of the Centre for Fine Arts on the side of Rue Ravenstein and Rue Baron Horta will be transformed into the terrace that Belgian architect and designer Victor Horta spoke about in his memoirs.
A masterplan to fully restore the Centre for Fine Arts building, which is an art-deco design by Victor Horta from 1928, has existed since 2002. The renovation of the rooftops and the apartment is fully funded by the Buildings Agency with a budget of 1.6 million euros.
The outdated roofing will be replaced completely, the leaking waterproofing layer has to be repaired, and an additional insulation layer will be placed.
Some of the railings will be restored to their original state and the machinery for the temperature control of the halls below, which is now on the roof of the Rotonde Bertouille, will be moved.
The result will be an open terrace covered with concrete tiling, with a panoramic view of the Royal Palace and the city centre.
The renovation project also includes the restoration of a rooftop apartment that was previously used as a caretaker's residence, but will now be converted into a residence for artists.
The renovations will start on 2 May and should be ready by the spring of 2020.
Maïthé Chini
The Brussels Times
