Modernist icon for sale
On the market: 1920s Marcel Leborgne-designed La Villa Dirickz in Sint-Genesius-Rode, Belgium
A stunning place, the 1920s Marcel Leborgne-designed La Villa Dirickz in Sint-Genesius-Rode, Belgium is currently up for sale.
This modernist gem and the architect’s most famous creation dates back to 1929, built for the Dirickz family and staying in the family (as far as we can work out) until the 1980s. The house was listed in 1990, but apparently was in a state of some disrepair at the time and for some years after.
In 2007, it was purchased by developer Alexander Cambron, who has restored and modernised the building in conjunction with the heritage body in Belgium. The end result is what you see here, available to anyone with the funds to purchase it.
It’s an incredibly opulent and stylised renovation, although from what we have read, the original owner was a lover of art and the theatre, living a ‘Great Gatsby’ life. So the finishes might not be a million miles away from the original, at least in spirit.
The modernised property site in two hectares of land bordering a forest, with around 1,000 sq. metres of living space as well as various terraces covering 400 sq. metres overlooking the parkland. Oh yes, a second house is also here, currently used as a caretaker’s cottage.
As for the main house, enter and you’ll find yourself in what’s described by the agent as a ‘majestic hall’ which leads to a living area that includes a single lounge overlooking the park, a dining room and a large kitchen, along with ‘various dressing rooms’.
Head up to the first floor via the original staircase overlooking the living area and you will find the master bedroom with terraces overlooking the gardens, a large dressing room and large bathroom with two sinks, a bath, a shower and a toilet. Also on this floor are two further bedrooms, each with a dressing room, bathroom and private terrace.
There is a second floor too, which houses the fourth and fifth bedrooms each with their own bathroom and dressing room and opening onto terraces. A third floor as well, where you will find two attic bedrooms and a bathroom and finishing things off, the fourth floor (with access by lift or stairs) which has has access to the ‘panoramic terrace area’. The terrace also has a bar, so party central up there.
If that’s not enough, the garden level also has a home cinema, a swimming pool with exterior views, a wine cellar, a gym and access to the garages.
An extensive renvoation on a modernist icon and one that is likely to come at a price. That price is on application if you have an interest in purchasing.
Images and details courtesy of Sotheby’s International Realty. For more details, images and to make enquiries, please visit their website.
