Hôtel de Mérode-Westerloo, Protected heritage mansion in Pentagon district, Belgium
The Hôtel de Mérode-Westerloo is a mansion on Rue aux Laines in Brussels featuring a U-shaped layout and thirteen bays of brick and white stone construction. The building serves residential purposes today and has housed the Merode business club since 2021.
The property was first recorded in 1491, but the current structure dates to 1618 when Duke Alexander of Bournonville commissioned it as a residence in Brussels. This construction reflects how wealthy nobles renewed their city houses in the 17th century.
The mansion reflects aristocratic taste through its vaulted cellars, decorated ceilings, and entrance vestibule adorned with Aubusson tapestry. These features show the value placed on craftsmanship and fine decoration by its wealthy residents.
The mansion is located at Rue aux Laines 23 in the Pentagon district and is not open to the public for interior visits. Visitors can appreciate the exterior from the street and study the architecture from outside.
The grounds feature three remarkable trees: a Cedar of Lebanon, a Turner Oak, and a Tulip Tree. These unusual specimens create a green sanctuary within the historic Brussels neighborhood.
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