About us
One house, four worlds
In the heart of Brussels’ Grand-Place, behind the historic façade of Brasserie Auguste, lies a house that reveals itself in stages. From the ground floor to the top floor, Auguste unfolds its story gradually. Each level possesses its own atmosphere, character and history. The vibrant energy of a grand brasserie, the heritage of a centuries-old Brussels residence, contemporary art and the elegance of more intimate spaces, all converge here.
At the center of this house unfolds Tourbillon, a monumental artwork conceived by Belgian designer and artist Charles Kaisin. Composed of nearly 8,000 origami pieces, folded and assembled by hand, it guides the eye and connects the different floors of Auguste. A work in motion, at the heart of a living house.
The Brasserie
The Beating Heart of Auguste; as soon as you step through the doors of Auguste, you enter The Brasserie. It is here that the Maison reveals its energy. The murmur of conversations mingles with the clinking of glasses, the ballet of plates, the movement of the staff, and the lively atmosphere of the bar. Guests arrive, meet up, have lunch, dinner, or simply take the time to enjoy a drink overlooking one of the most famous squares in the world. The Brasserie is intentionally the most vibrant space in the Maison. It possesses that special effervescence of great brasseries: elegant without being silent, refined without ever losing its spontaneity. It is the beating heart of Auguste. And then, naturally, your gaze rises.
From the ground floor, one of the most spectacular views of Tourbillon, the work of Charles Kaisin, unfolds. Thousands of origami pieces seem to float above the room and soar through the House. Seen from below, the work reveals its full verticality and almost naturally invites one to discover what lies hidden on the upper floors.
The Workshop
Where Tourbillon came to life. A few steps higher, the atmosphere changes. Welcome to The Workshop. Its name already tells its story. It was in this space that Charles Kaisin worked, imagined and found his inspiration to create Tourbillon, the artwork that now resides at the heart of Brasserie Auguste. Its creation is the result of meticulous work. Nearly 8,000 origami pieces were folded by hand before being arranged on wires and suspended one by one, piece by piece. Thousands of gestures to give birth to a single work of art.
Beneath this apparent lightness lies a true technical feat. The elements are connected by a discreet system that allows the whole piece to move with the air currents while preventing the individual origami pieces from becoming tangled. When a breeze passes through Auguste, it's not just a few pieces that sway. The entire Tourbillon seems to breathe. The artwork then comes to life, subtly transforming and reminding us that, despite its thousands of pieces, it forms a single whole. But L’Atelier also tells a much older story. Behind this contemporary creation lies a remarkable brick wall dating back to 1650. Listed and protected, it must be preserved in its entirety: no nails, no fixings, no intervention can alter it.
The encounter is striking. On one side, a centuries-old wall, a silent witness to the history of Brussels. On the other, a contemporary artwork composed of thousands of delicate pieces suspended in space. Heritage and contemporary creation face each other without ever touching. Perhaps it is here that Auguste's spirit is most clearly revealed: a profound respect for what came before us, while simultaneously writing a new chapter in the Maison's history.
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
The Gallery
Brussels of yesterday, Auguste of today. Continuing the ascent of the Maison, one discovers The Gallery. From the first floor, the perspectives shift. The Brasserie is now viewed from above and Tourbillon reveals a new face. Where the artwork appeared monumental from the ground floor, here the eye is drawn closer to its details. The threads, the volumes, the movements and the thousands of origami become more perceptible. Tourbillon is a work that one never views in exactly the same way, depending on the floor one is on. It is precisely this succession of viewpoints that accompanies the discovery of Auguste.
The Gallery, however, has its own story. On its walls, a selection of photographs of Brussels and Brussels of yesteryear evokes the exceptional setting of the House. These images invite us to see the city in a new light. They tell the story of a Brussels that evolves, transforms and transcends eras, all while preserving its identity. The Gallery thus creates a dialogue between different time periods: the Brussels of yesteryear depicted on its walls, the historical heritage of the House and contemporary Brussels, which continues to thrive just a few meters below, on the Grand-Place. A place of passage between yesterday and today.
Le 1699
Auguste's most discreet address. At the top of the Maison, a final world unfolds. Its name (Le 1699) is not that of a room chosen at random. It refers to 1699, the year the Maison was rebuilt. More than three centuries later, this date continues to resonate within its walls. Le 1699 was conceived as Auguste's most private and exclusive space. Here, the lively atmosphere of the Brasserie gives way to a more intimate ambiance.
Available for private hire, the room has its own private bar and can accommodate up to 120 people, depending on the chosen configuration. Private receptions, cocktail parties, corporate events, dinners, celebrations, or exceptional evenings can thus take place in a truly exquisite setting in the heart of Brussels' Grand-Place. Privatizing Le 1699 means having a private space while retaining the ambiance, cuisine and service of Brasserie Auguste. It also means inviting your guests into a more intimate part of the establishment. A floor where the building's history meets contemporary elegance and where each event can, in turn, add a few lines to the story of the place.
Whirlwind
8,000 origami pieces, a single work of art. Beyond the various rooms, one element accompanies visitors throughout their exploration of Auguste: Whirlwind. Conceived by Charles Kaisin, this monumental installation is the true artistic thread running through the establishment. Nearly 8,000 origami pieces, folded by hand and individually assembled, compose this ethereal artwork that visually traverses the different levels of the Brasserie.
From the Brasserie, its height is truly impressive. From the Atelier, it unveils its history and its connection to the historic 1650 wall. From the Gallery, it reveals its details, its construction and its movement. Tourbillon, therefore, does more than simply occupy a space. It accompanies the discovery of the Maison.
Its lightness contrasts with the strength of the historic walls that surround it. Its movement contrasts with the stillness of a building that has stood the test of time. And its thousands of individual pieces strangely evoke the life of a grand brewery: a multitude of gestures, people and details that work together to create a single experience. Auguste, a house to discover; Auguste is a brasserie, but it's also a house steeped in history, a place of art and a meeting point between the Brussels of yesterday and today. You enter through La Brasserie, its beating heart. You discover L’Atelier, where Tourbillon was born. You ascend to La Galerie, surrounded by memories of Brussels yesteryear. And finally, you reach Le 1699, the most intimate space in the house.
On each floor, a different atmosphere. With every glance, a new perspective. With every visit, a new way to discover Auguste. La Brasserie. L’Atelier. La Galerie. Le 1699. Four worlds. One work. One house. Welcome to Auguste, in the heart of Brussels' Grand-Place.
