Hotel Cohn-Donnay - Ultieme Hallucinatie
Address Rue Royale 316
City/Neighborhood Bruxelles, Saint-Josse-Ten Noode
Style(s)
- Art Nouveau
- Floral Art Nouveau
Original use
- Habitat
Année 1904
Architect(s) and/or artist(s)
- Hamesse Paul
Site web https://www.ultiemehallucinatie.be/?lang=en
Remarkable elements
- Stained glass
- Mosaics
- Ironwork
- Art painting
- Furniture
Mansion built in 1841, in neo-classical style, completely redesigned in 1904 by architect Paul Hamesse for his clients, the Cohn-Donnay family. They were owners of a department store located on Rue Neuve (Brussels, now demolished) whose design they had also entrusted to Paul Hamesse.
The architect added an imposing Art Nouveau loggia on the facade in place of the initial balcony.
This is the only modification made to the facade. It is inside that Hamesse developed all his creativity, designing for each room of the house, a different atmosphere, sometimes inspired by the Viennese Secession, sometimes by Mackintosh, even an “Egyptian” or “neo-Greek” Art Nouveau.
The result is a magnificent, extravagant decor, miraculously preserved by successive owners.
No detail was left to chance, Hamesse created sumptuous stained glass windows, imposing fireplaces, designed very elaborate radiator covers, woodwork in different styles depending on the room, floors decorated with mosaics, magnificent chandeliers, everything was designed to somehow show the wealth of the owners.
The garden was also redesigned, with its rockery typical of the turn of the century.
Of all this, there remain many authentic elements and visible every day, since the place has been the restaurant “Ultieme Hallucinatie” since 1980 and is also part of the guided tours of the BANAD festival.
SJT02 - Unless otherwise stated © www.admirable-artnouveau.be for all photos