Undoubtedly Victor Horta's most luxurious creation, this house is of particular importance as it is an insight into the bourgeois and worldly lifestyle of the time, through the prism of a family that had made its fortune in the industrial sector. Resident Armand succeeded his uncle, who died unexpectedly in 1894, as head of the "Solvay et compagnie" business. The interior is exceptionally well preserved — Horta designed it from the ground up, down to the smallest detail, including the beds, stools, chandeliers, door handles, etc.! The house is large, fortunately, as the staff was numerous: up to 12 people would have been at the family's service!
The ground floor and the first floor are the most striking in their splendour, as they are the reception areas. The second and third floors, the family's private quarters, are more sober. The basement and attic were dedicated to staff.
The already chic at the time Avenue Louise was very popular with the Solvay family. In 1888, Ernest's brother Alfred, co-founder and salesman of the Solvay company, commissioned Jules Brunfaut to build a sumptuous neo-Renaissance style house at number 137a on Avenue Louise. It was a house ideal for grand receptions! Sadly it has now disappeared... Edmond, Ernest's other brother, also owned a house on Avenue Louise, at number 178!