Henri Jacobs House

Maison Henri Jacobs (Henri Jacobshuis) is an Art Nouveau townhouse in Schaerbeek, one of the nineteen municipalities of Brussels, built by architect Henri Jacobs as his own home and studio. Standing today at avenue Maréchal Foch 9 (formerly rue Royale Sainte-Marie 231), it was erected between 1899 and 1900 to house both Jacobs's family and his architectural practice.

What makes the facade stand out?

The building's facade draws attention through its play of colour and texture: the architect combined red brick with white stone and blue stone, producing the kind of polychrome effect that became a hallmark of Brussels Art Nouveau. This choice of materials was a common strategy among architects of the movement — it enlivened the elevation without relying solely on sculpted ornament, while also showcasing the craftsmanship behind the construction.

Importantly, Maison Henri Jacobs does not stand alone. It is flanked by two more houses, at numbers 7 and 11, also designed by Jacobs, forming a small but coherent ensemble of three townhouses by the same author. This arrangement let the architect experiment with form across neighbouring facades while effectively displaying his own skills to prospective clients passing along the street.

Who designed the building?

Henri Jacobs was born on 3 December 1864 in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, another Brussels municipality, and died on 19 November 1935 in Schaerbeek itself, the commune most closely tied to his career. He is remembered above all as a designer of school buildings: between 1894 and 1920 he produced roughly fifteen such structures, making him one of the key figures behind the expansion of Brussels's educational infrastructure at the turn of the twentieth century. His own house on today's avenue Maréchal Foch served him both as a residence and as a professional showcase, since it also contained his design office.

Does the building have protected status?

The architectural and historical value of this small ensemble has been formally recognised: by royal decree of 12 September 1996, Maison Henri Jacobs together with its neighbours at numbers 7 and 11 were listed as protected heritage. This status covers the facades and their principal features, which is why the original polychrome brickwork and decorative details have survived largely intact.

What should visitors look out for nearby?

Visitors to Schaerbeek can treat Maison Henri Jacobs as the starting point for a short Art Nouveau walk: having three townhouses by the same architect standing side by side offers a rare chance to compare, within a few metres, how he varied facade details while keeping a unified stylistic concept. It is also a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in the history of education in Brussels, given that the house's creator is best known for his school designs.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Maison Henri Jacobs located? At avenue Maréchal Foch 9 in Schaerbeek, on the site of the former rue Royale Sainte-Marie 231.

When was the house built? Between 1899 and 1900, at the height of the Art Nouveau movement in Brussels.

Is the building legally protected? Yes, since 12 September 1996, together with the neighbouring houses at numbers 7 and 11.

What else was Henri Jacobs known for? He was an architect chiefly known for designing school buildings in Brussels — around fifteen of them between 1894 and 1920.