THE BULLETIN  July / August 2010

74 city break

A class apart

Who says you can’t find stylish and environmentally-friendly accommodation in Brussels? Katy Holliday
checks into the city’s first eco aparthotel and enjoys some home comforts with a clear conscience

T
he heavy door glides open. A Green decadence:
marbled entrance hallway is above, the pent-
etched with symbolic imagery house bedroom
of lions and bravery in battle. at Housestories;
I step into a tiny elevator that’s right, the adjoin-
barely large enough for more than three ing bathroom
people. It opens up into the penthouse suite
at Housestories, an aparthotel with just five
rooms, created by Belgian business duo Isabel
Verstraete and Alexandre Pijcke. Isabel is
from Wallonia. Alexandre is Flemish. The
pair have known each other for over 20 years.
They both have a background as freelance
communication consultants and so brand-
ing comes naturally to them.
I wander around the spacious Art Deco
penthouse. It measures 175 square metres.

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 75

From the large bay windows I can see a lush and leafy canopy of trees houses in the Brussels Region and has been
in the nearby Parc Duden; the trendy Bar du Matin is also close by. awarded the prestigious Bâtiment Exemplaire
But inside the view is even better. Light wood panelling stretches (Outstanding Building) award.
and curves around the walls except for in the oversized bathroom. “Green renovation is still quite a new idea
The sheer size of it reminds me of a bathhouse, with opulent marbled to Brussels,” says Isabel. “Most of the other
walls, a deep ceramic tub and a sauna. aparthotels in Brussels are investment projects
Here I am on the border of the communes of Forest and Saint-Gilles, carried out by multinational groups. It’s not
immersed in luxury. This must be bad, right? Possibly. But I take some within their objectives to take the time and
comfort from the fact that the Art Deco building, designed in 1932 invest the money that are necessary to create
by architect Albert Callewaert, has been eco- an ecologically-friendly environment or add a
logically restored to the highest standards. Five things to do near Housestories: personal touch.”
Some time ago, Isabel and Alexandre decided • With its large terrace and The personal touch is something that sets
to embark on a business venture together. They buzzy atmosphere, Bar Housestories apart. It comes from the com-
just needed the right idea. “In 2005,” explains du Matin is a favourite bination of original Art Deco features with
Isabel, “I travelled around the world with my with local trendies. modern, stylish appliances. A record player
then two-year-old. I discovered for the first time Refreshing jugs of cocktails with a collection of old vinyl creates a retro
loaded up with lime and
the concept of aparthotels and realised that it mint are served along with a touch. There are other personal details too –
was a great way of discovering a city, especially small selection of food. Wi-fi antique ink bottles on the desk, old brandy bot-
with children, as you are not stuck in a small, is available. DJs regularly tles, and various quirky-shaped lamps, pots and
cramped hotel room. amp up the nights and vases in earthy terracotta colours.
“I called Alexandre from Thailand and told although it can get wild, the But it’s not all old. You also get modern, styl-
party usually ends by 2am. 172 Chaussée
him that I finally had an idea for our business d’Alsemberg, Forest.
ish appliances like an iPod docking station,
venture. He replied, ‘Come back to Belgium Smeg kitchen appliances and a Philips flat
• Fungi fans and wine lovers enjoy Café
and we will discuss it.’ Then we began to do des Spores. The restaurant specialises in
screen television. It’s the complete package.
research into the market.” Spanish wines, and its mouth-watering Isabel spent a year searching antiques stores
The entire building is listed and protected dinner menu teems with delicious and flea markets to collect the right furnish-
by the Commission Royale des Monuments et mushroom varieties. The chef cooks ings for all five apartments. “When decorat-
Sites (CRMS) because of its original Art Deco from behind the bar, infusing the room ing,” she tells me, “I decided to work with
interior and façade. This raised problems for with gorgeous aromas. 103 Chaussée vintage furniture, because it also has that eco
d’Alsemberg, Saint-Gilles.
the team when they set about renovating the aspect since it is reused,” she explains.
building ecologically. The project took a year • Escape the noise and stress of the city and “I wanted to create a place or apartment that
go for a stroll in Parc Duden. This is one
longer to complete than first expected. of the prettiest parks in Brussels, offering I would want to live in myself. If I want to live
“The whole team behind the renovation put gorgeous views of the city from its hilly there then surely others would too.” It is pos-
a lot of effort into using the newest ecological heights. You can watch the occasional sible for business travellers to stay a minimum
technologies available,” says Isabel. “In terms football match or spot a bright green of four nights, but her target group is long-
of insulation, we used the best to ensure there parakeet in the pine trees. term guests. The concept seems to be working.
is no loss of energy from the building. The • For more Art Deco architecture, head to “I think when people go abroad they want a
house keeps its natural heat and the tempera- the Church of St Augustine, or Altitude better experience. I know I would prefer to stay
100, a summit of Brussels. Built in 1936,
ture inside remains the same all year round.” the church is one of three religious Art
somewhere that I can feel at home.”
Other technologies include solar panelling Deco buildings remaining in the city. Place Housestories is a brand and Isabel and
(combined with a green electricity supplier), de l’Altitude Cent, Forest. Alexandre are now keen to expand on their
double glazing, a rainwater tank in the garden • The Wiels brewery has in recent concept. Alexandre informs me of plans to
for flushing the toilets and a nine-metre-long years had a bit of major makeover build two more apartments in the complex,
Canadian well that uses the geothermal energy and re-launched itself as a centre for complete with parking, and eventually they
of the soil it is laid in to both cool and heat the contemporary art. It holds lots of would like to find another house in Brussels to
fascinating exhibitions and events, and has
air entering the building. “For cleaning we only renovate ecologically. “We are only looking for
a brilliant café which serves quiche to die
use eco-friendly products and we ask our guests for. 354 Avenue Van Volxem, special houses that have a story, houses with a
to make a big effort when it comes to recycling,” Forest. soul. Tasteless and boring are for us out of the
Isabel continues. question,” Isabel concludes.
Alexandre tells me that there has been a 90 As I settle into the penthouse apartment for a
percent reduction in heating consumption spell, I can understand what she means. 
since the technologies were put in place and that 70 percent of the


total water consumption on the property is provided by the rainwater Housestories,
tanks. 107 Avenue Besme, Brussels.
Housestories is currently one of the most ecologically-advanced www.housestories.be

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