Architecture & Design

Architecture & Design | 35 I n a constantly evolving world, the power of nostalgia serves as a bridge to the past, reminding us of moments that shaped our identity and experiences. This feeling is particularly palpable in the context of the iconic palatial Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria in Brussels, which has recently reopened its doors after an extensive renovation that honours its rich history. The story of the hotel began in 1907 when King Leopold II of Belgium asked Raphael Devillers, grandfather of Madame Joelle Goossens Bara, to persuade his wife, Marthe Mengelle, to demolish their hotel and build a palace hotel for VIPs attending the 1910 International Exposition. When asked about the family's recollections, Madame Joelle noted, "This happened well before I was even thought of. But the family feeling has always been that grandfather didn't really have a choice. He was ordered to visit the Hotel Adlon in Berlin and draw inspiration." She added with a bow, mimicking her grandfather's response. Was there royal financial support? "I'm unaware of any aid from the king," she said. "The family never mentioned it, and there's no documentation." Madame Joelle's first visit occurred at age four, after living in France during WWII. "I remember feeling overwhelmed by the grandeur and countless rooms," she said. Her curiosity turned the space into a playground. "My parents kept calling me for dinner, but I don't think they ever found me." She recalled hosting guests as a child. "I sat alone by the fireplace, lost in writing or drawing." That fireplace still exists. Her nostalgia continued with the hotel's service quarters. "From couturiers to washerwomen, there was a real energy," she said. "I loved watching men haul logs for the boilers." A vivid memory from 1945: Churchill's visit to Brussels. "Everyone was elated," she said. She prepared colourful paper confetti but accidentally dropped her scissors near him. "Thank God it looked like a child's mistake. Can you imagine if I'd hit Churchill?" She spoke admiringly of the stained-glass skylight, recently reconstructed by Corinthia from three black-and-white photos. "When I returned from France, the original had already been replaced with a leaking flat glass. Buckets had to be placed to catch the rain." Another cherished object: a ceremonial trowel used for laying the Astoria's foundation stone. "I still have it," she said proudly. After the war, she recalled an atmosphere of desolation. "There were no guests, just a few residents maintaining the place," she said. "It was as if the Astoria itself mourned its grandeur." She spoke quietly about when she and her husband, Robert, faced the hotel's future. "We had to decide whether to invest heavily or let go. It was sad, like disconnecting from my parents and grandparents." In 2007, the hotel was sold to Global Hotels and Resorts, but restoration efforts soon stalled. "It was painful seeing the property closed. We no longer owned it, but we didn't stop loving it." Hope returned during a trip to Budapest, where they discovered the Corinthia Hotel. "This is exactly what we envision for the Astoria," she said. That moment set the course for Corinthia's acquisition of the hotel in 2016. Their paths had seemingly been destined to converge. As she reflected on the grand reopening in December 2024, she repeated one word: "Miraculous." The Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria has been reborn; its Palm Court restored, its Corinthian columns gleaming once again. More than an architectural marvel, it is a living legacy of family, culture, and enduring hospitality. Nostalgia & Nostalgia & Recollections Recollections P h i l i p F a r r u g i a R a n d o n c h a t s w i t h M a d a m e J o e l l e G o o s s e n s B a r a , t h e f o r m e r o w n e r o f t h e H o t e l A s t o r i a , B r u s s e l s , w h o r e l i v e s h e r l o v e t h r o u g h m e m o r i e s . T h i s a r c h i t e c t u r a l g e m h a s b e e n m e t i c u l o u s l y r e n o v a t e d a n d r e s t o r e d w i t h g r e a t c a r e , l o v e , a n d p a s s i o n , h o n o u r i n g i t s r i c h a n d i l l u s t r i o u s p a s t . The hotel facade in its very early days Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria today, proudly flying a Maltese flag

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