COUR DES COMPTES/REKENHOF

(Place Royale)

   Located on the southeast corner of the place Royale, the building emerged at the end of the 18th century as the townhouse of the countess of Tem-pleuve-Tirimont, who enlarged and reconstructed the gable-topped red brick structure that stood here. After her death, it served as the residence of Marquis Arconati, who held the post of mayor under Napoléon Bonaparte, and then burgomaster under King William I. It served as the premises for the Ministry of War and, after 1866, as the residence of Prince Philip, the brother of King Leopold II, who transformed the building into a miniature palace embellished with neo-baroque decor. In 1920, King Albert I, who was born here, sold the property to the Banque de Bruxelles, under which it was again refurbished. Following the bank's merger with the Banque Lambert, the building was ceded to the Cour des Comptes.