Property: The Major Town Houses of the Architect Victor Horta (Brussels)
Id. N°: 1005
State Party: Belgium
Criteria: C (i) (ii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (i), (ii) and (iv):
Criterion (i): The Town Houses of Victor Horta in Brussels are works of human creative genius, representing the highest expression of the influential Art Nouveau style in art and architecture.
Criterion (ii): The appearance of Art Nouveau in the closing years of the 19th century marked a decisive stage in the evolution of architecture, making possible subsequent developments, and the Town Houses of Victor Horta in Brussels bear exceptional witness to its radical new approach.
Criterion (iv): The Town Houses of Victor Horta are outstanding examples of Art Nouveau architecture, brilliantly illustrating the transition from the 19th to the 20th century in art, thought, and society.
Further to a question raised by several delegates concerning the protection of the town houses, Belgium underlined that town planning provisions already exists and that the protection goes beyond the requirements of the World Heritage Committee. ICOMOS confirmed protection measures in place in particular the series of bufferzones.