L'hôtel communal de Forest

After a complete renovation that lasted 10 years, the communal hotel of Forest finally opens its doors to us! A major work by Forest architect Jean-Baptiste Dewin, the communal hotel was inaugurated in 1938 after 3 years of work and 10 of discussions. It is an important project for Dewin, who at the same time built the Saint-Pierre de Bruxelles hospital. Designed in the Art Déco style, the communal hotel of Forest bears an obvious filiation with the Stoclet Palace, notably through the off-center tower, pierced with long vertical bays and adorned with sculptures. Its design of the communal hotel turns towards modernity while paying homage to the prestigious buildings of the past. Thus, the choice of materials (brick and blue stone), the high tower, and the abundance of sculptures evoke medieval communal hotels. But the color of the bricks, the shape of the tower, and the renewed iconography of the sculptures are very modern indeed. The Art Déco style is magnified here, with sculptures and bas-reliefs created by great artists including Victor Rousseau. The stained glass windows are creations by Gaston Baltus executed by Florent Colpaert. Inside, the monumental staircase leads to the marriage hall, as well as to the vast ticket window hall. A majestic belfry dominates the entire complex, with its gold-leaf statues reminiscent of those of the Palais Stoclet. This very successful renovation is now visible to all.