Old England

Description

The "Old England" department store is an Art Nouveau building located on the Hofberg in Brussels, designed by architect Paul Saintenoy and engineer E. Wyhovski. Constructed in 1899, it was innovative for its time, featuring a cast iron and steel framework with extensive use of glass to maximize natural light. The building's floors, made of reinforced concrete, were only 8 cm thick and supported by a grid of iron beams resting on slender cruciform wrought iron columns. Notable features include a distinctive corner tower, 250 tons of steel from Forges de Clabecq, 700 square meters of mirrors, faience friezes, and numerous floral motifs. Sculptor Julien Dillens created the sculptures. The Old England company vacated the building in 1972. In 1978, the state purchased it for museum use, but restoration began only in 1989. Since 2000, it has housed the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), where visitors can enjoy views of Brussels' lower town from the rooftop terrace.