UCB building
Constructed in 1872, the building that housed the former Union du crédit de Bruxelles had not opened its doors to the public for almost 30 years. Defaced, pillaged, damaged by fire …the building was finally rescued and restored by the National Bank, which has now moved its library into the premises. It is open to the public.The National Bank’s restoration of the old UCB building at number 57 de la rue Montagne aux herbes potagères, carried out under the supervision of the Royal Commission for Monuments, Sites and Excavations, is all the more interesting since 19th century bank buildings are so rare. This partially listed building can now be visited again.
It was back in 1872 that architect Désiré De Keyser finished construction work on this bank building, a tall edifice illuminated by two huge windows exuding both lightness and boldness. The building has not been spared its trials and tribulations over the years, however, having undergone many alterations during the course of its history, before benefiting from an extremely meticulous and environmentally-friendly restoration project starting in the mid-2000s.
Its décor is largely inspired by the Gothic style. The combination or iron and glass so typical of that period gives the building an aura of elegance. It adds to the charm of an edifice that today houses the National Bank’s Scientific Library, one of the country’s main sources of economic information, which has recently celebrated 100 years of existence. The restoration job was rounded off by the Bank commissioning a huge mural tapestry from Pieter Vermeersch.
