Built between 1873 and 1875 at 1-3 Boulevard Adolphe Max, the House of Cats is one of the most unique witnesses to Brussels’ urban transformation in the late 19th century, following the covering of the Senne and the creation of grand boulevards. Henri Beyaert, a leading Belgian architect of the time, submitted the winning design in a city-wide façade competition.

The eclectic style, inspired by Flemish neo-Renaissance architecture, showcases Beyaert’s mastery: gables, pediments, and richly sculpted details. Two cats sculpted by Georges Houtstont, along with the Old Dutch inscription “Hier is't in den kater en de kat” (“Here we are at the tomcat and the female cat”), gave the building its nickname and a touch of 19th-century Brussels humour.

Classified as a historic monument since 1992, the House of Cats remains one of the most photographed jewels of Boulevard Adolphe Max, symbolising a period of architectural renewal where Brussels forged a modern identity rooted in its own history.