ANTE Festival 2026 : Maison personnelle de Paul Saintenoy [Maison Hongroise / Magyar Ház]

In 1897, the architect Paul Saintenoy purchased this house from 1872 in the Rue de l’Arbre Bénit from the stockbroker Ferdinand Grosjean. Saintenoy renovated the façade and built an extension at the back. The resulting building in Eclectic style with Italian Renaissance touches reflects its owner’s tastes. Paul Saintenoy became a leading representative of the Art Nouveau movement around 1900 (designing the Old England department store in 1899), while retaining his strong interest in historicist styles (as can be seen in his Delacre Pharmacy of 1895). A fervent defender of the heritage of Brussels, he became a leading restorer (of the Hotel Ravenstein in 1894, among others). The interior of his home not only makes reference to the different styles seen in his other work, but also uses materials salvaged from demolished buildings. In particular, there is a sumptuous Art Nouveau stained-glass window designed by Raphaël Elvadre. The Saintenoy family lived in the house until Paul’s death in 1952. Since 1956, the building has been home to the Hungarian Catholic Mission.