The private club L’Archiduc, located near the Bourse of Brussels, was designed in 1943 by architect Franz Van Ruyskensvelde in the « Style 40 » aesthetic. A few years later, it was converted into a private jazz club by conductor Stan Brenders and became the meeting place for prominent jazz musicians, including Toots Thielemans, Nat King Cole, Miles Davis, Vicky Down, Jacques Brel, and many others who were regulars there. In the 1980s, the club was renovated with a more modernist approach compared to its original aesthetic.

This masterplan project, which also includes a material and historical study (commissioned by Popoff Architects from ARCHistory / APEB), aims to restore the venue’s 1943 aesthetic essence while enhancing its scenographic, theatrical, and even cinematic dimension (a reference to David Lynch), reinforcing its mythical status in the Brussels music scene.

The historic furniture, including its iconic banquettes, is being restored. New full-height velvet curtains will adorn the walls, improve the hall’s acoustics, and redefine the stage space. The original wall sconces and their red lampshades will be restored and repositioned in front of the curtains. The finishes of the central column and the mezzanine railings are being redesigned in a contemporary style while remaining true to the spirit of the place.

The masterplan also includes the restoration of the façade on Rue Dansaert, which will retain its well-known 1980s color, familiar to all.