Hôtel de Roest d'Alkemade

Hôtel de Roest d'Alkemade is a historic townhouse at Rue des Grands Carmes 16-18 in Brussels, just steps from Manneken Pis and the Grand-Place, in the old Saint-Jacques district. The building blends traces of late-17th-century vernacular architecture with later Neoclassical alterations to its facade, making it a notable example of layered architectural history in the very heart of the city.

When was the building constructed?

The current structure dates to around 1690, built as part of the reconstruction of Brussels after the devastating bombardment of the city by French troops under Marshal Villeroy in 1695. That attack destroyed most of the buildings around the Grand-Place, forcing the city to rebuild at remarkable speed. The Hôtel de Roest d'Alkemade is one of the few buildings whose oldest sections — including its vaulted cellars — survived that destruction, offering a rare physical link to the appearance of Brussels before the fire.

Why is it named after the d'Alkemade family?

The building takes its name from the de Roest d'Alkemade family, a Dutch noble house that eventually settled in Brussels and became part of the Belgian aristocracy, with a lineage traceable back to the 16th century. Evidence of the family's presence in the city extends beyond the house itself: a memorial to Marie-Anne de Roest d'Alkemade (1728-1788) is preserved in the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bon Secours in Stalle, underlining the family's visible role in Brussels society of the period.

What does the facade and interior look like?

The facade measures 17.70 metres in length and combines features typical of Brussels bourgeois architecture from the end of the 17th century with calmer, later Neoclassical modifications — the result of successive renovation campaigns over the centuries. Inside, elements of note for heritage conservators include a decorated ceiling, a portico, and a staircase, all documented photographically during inventory work carried out by the Brussels heritage authorities in the 1980s.

What protection status does the building have?

The facade, roof, and vaulted cellars of the Hôtel de Roest d'Alkemade were listed as protected heritage by the Brussels-Capital Region on 25 June 1992. The protection therefore covers both the street-facing elevation and the oldest, hidden part of the building — the cellars, which stand as direct material evidence of continuous construction on this site since before the great bombardment.

Why is it worth noticing?

The Hôtel de Roest d'Alkemade is not a ticketed museum attraction but a living part of the urban fabric of Saint-Jacques, one of the oldest quarters of Brussels, directly adjacent to the Grand-Place. For visitors exploring the city centre, it's a reminder that behind the commercial facades near Manneken Pis lies a much longer history than the area's touristy character might suggest. It also illustrates how Brussels rebuilt itself after the destruction of 1695 while still preserving fragments of the pre-bombardment city.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Hôtel de Roest d'Alkemade located? At Rue des Grands Carmes 16-18, in the Saint-Jacques district, right next to the Grand-Place and Manneken Pis.

When was the building built? The present structure dates from around 1690, built during the reconstruction of Brussels after the 1695 bombardment; its oldest elements, such as the cellars, may predate that event.

Is the building legally protected? Yes — the facade, roof, and vaulted cellars have been protected heritage since 25 June 1992.

Can the interior be visited? The building does not function as a public museum, and interior access is not routinely open to visitors, so it is best appreciated from the street, facade-side.

Where does the building's name come from? From the de Roest d'Alkemade family, a Dutch noble house that settled in Brussels and became associated with this property.