Château Fond'Roy

Château Fond'Roy is an eclectic-style mansion in Uccle (Ukkel), a municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region, notable for its turbulent ownership history and its status as a legally protected heritage building.

How to get there?

Château Fond'Roy stands on Avenue du Prince d'Orange, in a quiet, green part of Uccle in southern Brussels. The neighborhood is known for its villa-lined streets and proximity to the Sonian Forest, making it a pleasant area to combine a walk in nature with a look at historic architecture. Central Brussels is just a short ride away by public transport or car, so the château is easy to fit into a day of sightseeing in the capital.

What will you see?

Construction of the château began in 1909 and was completed the following year, designed by architect Camille Damman. The building was commissioned by Jean Berckmans, a stockbroker from Saint-Gilles, who wanted an impressive residence in the eclectic style — a blend of historical architectural motifs that was fashionable in Brussels at the turn of the 20th century. The original estate also included greenhouses, stables, and other outbuildings, reflecting the scale of the property at the time.

The ownership history of the château is just as compelling as its architecture. In 1919, the estate was bought by notary Albert Poelaert, nephew of architect Joseph Poelaert, famous for designing the Brussels Palace of Justice. After his death in 1925, the property passed to his wife, Irma Vermeulen, and two decades later it was transferred to her relatives, Alexis and Liliane Vermeulen. In 1947, the Vermeulen family sold the estate to the insurance company Royale Belge, which converted it into a sports center for its staff. One of the most striking chapters in the château's history came in 1973, when the property passed into the hands of the wife of Zairian president Mobutu Sese Seko, who held formal ownership of it.

Château Fond'Roy is one of the few surviving examples of the many mansions built during Brussels's intensive urban expansion in the 19th and 20th centuries — a period during which numerous comparable residences were lost to the city's later development.

Heritage status

Since August 19, 2024, Château Fond'Roy has been listed as a legally protected heritage building, meaning that any urban planning intervention, including renovation work, requires approval from the Royal Commission for Monuments and Sites. This formal recognition underscores the château's historical and architectural significance to the heritage of Uccle and Brussels as a whole.

When to visit?

Given its green surroundings and closeness to the Sonian Forest, the area around the château is at its best in spring and summer, when the surrounding greenery is most vivid. Autumn suits visitors who prefer a quieter experience with fewer tourists around. Since the property serves private functions and is sometimes used for events such as weddings, it's worth checking in advance whether interior visits or access to the grounds are available before planning a trip.

Frequently asked questions

Who built Château Fond'Roy? The château was built between 1909 and 1910 for Jean Berckmans, a stockbroker from Saint-Gilles, to a design by architect Camille Damman.

What architectural style does it represent? It is an eclectic-style residence, typical of Brussels mansion architecture at the turn of the 20th century.

Who has owned the château over the years? Past owners include notary Albert Poelaert, the insurance company Royale Belge, and, from 1973, the wife of Zairian president Mobutu Sese Seko.

Is the château a protected heritage site? Yes — since August 19, 2024, Château Fond'Roy has been listed as a protected monument, and any work on the building requires approval from the Royal Commission for Monuments and Sites.