An iconic Brussels venue, the Hôtel Métropole, is putting up 178 items for auction on Thursday 30 March following its sale to the Lone Star Fund. Fans of the historic hotel's splendour will be able to buy many of the relics from the Belle Epoque era venue, RTBF reports.
On the more affordable side, fans of the Hôtel Métropole can get their hands on a woollen valet coat, an accompanying red and gold cap, and silver forks and spoons stamped with the name of the prestigious establishment – all for €50. Among the pricier items is the large natural wood cabinet in the reception area, up for €4000.
These are just a few examples of the 178 lots that will be auctioned on Thursday 30 March by the new owner of the Hotel Métropole, which opened in 1895 on the Place De Brouckère in downtown Brussels.
Credit: Belga / ADER-EP
At the end of last year, the Bervoets family decided to sell the iconic venue. After renovation work, the latter will entrust the operation of the hotel to a French company, Centaurus Hospitality Management, with a view to reopen in 2025.
A new beginning that will wipe out the glorious past of the Métropole, its salons, suites and terrace, which have been the backdrop for countless films and TV series and have hosted a host of personalities from Albert Einstein to Bruno Mars, not forgetting Jean Dujardin, Annie Cordy and Marie Curie. A past materialised by a significant number of objects, furniture, decorations and souvenirs that have now been put up for sale by the new owner, via the auction house Ader and Entreprises & Patrimoine.
"The Hotel Métropole has a real place in the hearts of the people of Brussels and Belgium. It will be possible to buy a little piece of history, a little piece of the Metropole. There will be something for every taste and budget," Octavie Bordet, the Belgian representative of Ader Entreprises & Patrimoine, told RTBF.
The French auction house expects a great deal of interest from the public. "This will range from Brussels residents who love the city and its history to a professional clientele: perhaps hotel owners who wish to furnish or renew their furniture," says Octavie Bordet.
Hôtel Métropole was the only independent five stars establishment in the city. Credit: Belga / Thierry Roge
The auction will offer discreet items such as key rings for €100 bearing the hotel's logo, plates, but also more larger items such as chandeliers, lamps, armchairs, chairs from the famous terrace (including its heaters) and armchairs. Also worth noting are the hotel's bar furniture (worth €1000), the Yamaha piano (€5000), and a large panel with 32 signatures from the guest book (€1000)
The physical auction on 30 March will be followed by two other online auctions involving around thousand additional itsems on sale from 31 March and 11 April.
If you feel like it, the Metropole is organising an exhibition of the lots the day before the sale, on 29 March. "All those potentially interested are welcome," continues Octavie Bordet. "In addition, as the hotel will be closed for several years for renovation, this will be an opportunity to come and admire the splendour of the salons of the Métropole Hotel one last time."
