Art space Mercerie: 'Everyone immediately thinks: wow, what is this place?'

Behind the Saint-Géry Halls, in the centre of Brussels, the enormous Mercerie Absalon has stood for more than a century. Partly designed by Victor Horta, the building has been given a new function after decades of vacancy: a space for artists and an art café. "We offer emerging artists a free residency. And we provide them with technical and logistical support."