Villa Empain

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The Villa Empain (French: [vi.la ɑ̃.pɛ̃]) is a historic house in Brussels, Belgium, which currently serves as a cultural centre and exhibition space. It was designed by the Swiss-Belgian architect Michel Polak for Baron Louis Empain, the son of the industrialist Édouard Empain, and built between 1930 and 1934, in Art Deco style. Intended as a luxurious private residence, the villa features polished granite façades and high-end materials such as marble and bronze, as well as a courtyard and swimming pool. It is considered one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the city. Shortly after its completion, Louis Empain donated the property to the Belgian state for use as a museum. Over the decades, the building served various functions, including housing the Soviet embassy after World War II and later offices for RTL Group. It fell into disuse by the late 1990s and suffered from vandalism and neglect. After a restoration in 2009–10, it was opened to the public by the Boghossian Foundation. The villa is located at 67, avenue Franklin Roosevelt/Franklin Rooseveltlaan, bordering the Bois de la Cambre/Ter Kamerenbos.