What if one of Brussels’ most anticipated new cultural venues were hidden behind the facades of a former porcelain factory? In Ixelles, a historic building on Chaussée de Wavre is set to undergo a transformation to house the future Museum of Cats and Fun Art. The opening is scheduled for 2028, following several years of twists and turns surrounding the project.
A Former Factory Before the Museum
Before housing Philippe Geluck’s drawings and sculptures, the site already had a history all its own. The former Demeuldre-Coché factory was founded in 1830, while the buildings that served as showcases for production were built at different times. The eclectic-style store, in particular, dates back to 1905 and features richly decorated facades. Part of this complex is now a protected historic site.
It is within this setting that the future museum is set to take shape, covering an announced area of 2,300 m². The work will focus in particular on restoring the building and its façade. According to Philippe Geluck, the first phases of construction could begin in the coming months. However, the museum will not open until the premises have been restored and brought up to code.
“The Cat,” but not only that
The museum will showcase Philippe Geluck’s works in various forms: drawings, sketches, comic strips, paintings, sculptures, and archival materials spanning his six decades of creative work. The exhibition layout will also feature space for other artists and temporary exhibitions, thanks to a modular design.
The Ixelles project follows the one that was supposed to be built at Mont des Arts, which was ultimately abandoned after several years of development. This time, the artist has chosen a former factory, praising both the quality of the building and its location. So we’ll just have to wait until 2028 to see how this piece of Brussels’ industrial heritage will bring the Cat’s offbeat world to life!
