Engel & VölkersEngel & Völkers

Lifestyle

Golden fireworks explode against a black night sky, radiating outward in a starburst pattern.

A Great Fireworks Display on New Year's Eve in Liège

Staged each and every year, the Great Fireworks of la Saint Sylvestre - New Year's Eve - is a must-see celebration held in the city of Liège. Since 2007, the year of its launch, it has continued to stir the heartstrings and to attract many locals as well as tourists from all over Europe and the wider world.

  • 3 min read
Visit A Great Fireworks Display on New Year's Eve in Liège
Smiling man with gray hair in a white shirt stands against a concrete wall with buildings visible in the background.

Steven Beckers: A history of the Belgian pioneer of urban agriculture

At 58 years of age, the Belgian architect Steven Beckers is more active than ever before. After a successful career, he became one of the main advocates of the circular economy and the initiator of urban agriculture in Belgium. An architect out of the ordinary, this portrait shows a man concerned with the harmony between people and the environment around them.

  • 6 min read
Visit Steven Beckers: A history of the Belgian pioneer of urban agriculture
View of Antwerp harbor with boats, green trees, and the MAS museum, under a blue sky.

Antwerp is a foodie destination: these 5 prestigious restaurants are the proof

This week I’m taking you to Antwerp ! You can come to visit the museums, enjoy the urban spaces or discover this capital of the fashion world. But you can also come to eat well. Gastronomy holds the pride of place here and there are several restaurants that are not to be missed. The Flemish metropolis is home to The Jane, one of the most famous restaurants in Belgium. But there are many other restaurants that make Antwerp a true gastronomic capital. While you can indulge yourself with the many chocolatiers, cafes and waffle makers, there are also several very good restaurants. It's all about gourmet restaurants as well as breweries or bistros where you can enjoy the freshest fish and seafood.

  • 8 min read
Visit Antwerp is a foodie destination: these 5 prestigious restaurants are the proof
Modern white building with dark-framed windows against a blue sky with white clouds.

The penthouse, an original concept

It was in the 1920s, also called "the Roaring Twenties," that the concept of a penthouse first appeared in the cityscape. Penthouses, apartments occupying the area of the top floor of a building, were very popular in New York until the time of the 1929 stock market crash. Afterwards, penthouses became scarcer again, especially during World War II. In the 1950s, people put up towering buildings again, and at the same time luxury penthouses reappeared. To this day, these luxury apartments are in high demand, especially in the centers of major cities.

  • 7 min read
Visit The penthouse, an original concept
Bright, modern office interior with a white spiral staircase, wooden steps, and a black rocking chair with gray cushions. Timeline graphic on the wall.

Architects of luxury real estate

Especially before the Covid-19 crisis, the luxury real estate market was doing very well. Especially in Flanders, there was an increase in transactions in the months leading up to the lockdown. A dozen Belgian architects targeted a client segment consisting of wealthy people.

  • 7 min read
Visit Architects of luxury real estate
Chocolate truffles on a white plate. Each truffle is in a white paper cup and topped with a chocolate curl. The plate is on a light brown wooden surface.

Belgian praline, a special sweetness

Of course, everyone knows about Belgian chocolate, which has a well-established international reputation. However, we tend to know rather less about Belgian praline which originated in Brussels, in 1912, and has become one of confectionery’s unmissable specialities.

  • 4 min read
Visit Belgian praline, a special sweetness
A smiling woman holds a green mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream and a chocolate bar. She wears a brown sweater.

Travelogues : The best places for hot chocolate in Brussels

After a busy day shopping or after a day of stressful and exhausting work, there's nothing better than treating yourself to a lovely hot chocolate. However, there are so many cafes lining the streets of central Brussels it is difficult to find one where you can be sure that its chocolate will be excellent. To be sure to find the best example of the drink that will make you sigh with nostalgia, and the perfect place to share a friendly moment with those who, big or small, accompany you, we are going to share our favourite addresses with you...

  • 4 min read
Visit Travelogues : The best places for hot chocolate in Brussels
The Atomium in Brussels, Belgium, is a steel structure of nine silver spheres connected by tubes against a blue sky with clouds.

What the world owes to Belgium

Belgium has one of the most vibrant cultures of any European country. The country has been at the centre of important artistic movements since the Middle Ages and has also introduced many dishes and foods which are now a permanent feature of European culture. With a reputation as a country where one can enjoy the good life, each year Belgium attracts thousands of visitors and people who wish to settle. If you’re looking for a pied-à-terre in Belgium, Engel & Völkers always have a selection of offers you may find particularly interesting. And to give you a better idea of the contributions this small country has made in terms of its arts and cuisine, here is a list highlighting some of the most important Belgian innovations.

  • 8 min read
Visit What the world owes to Belgium

Contact

Contact your personal advisor

Smiling man in a gray suit holds a phone outdoors. White buildings line the street in the background.
A blonde woman in a beige suit walks on a city street, holding a red folder.

Engel & Völkers Belgium

Chaussée de Waterloo 1173

1180 Uccle, Brussels (VAT: BE 1004.032.746)

Tel: +32 2 880 40 21