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An urban location with a history
The Mechelen-Leuven-Tienen railway line was constructed in October 1837. A small
wooden structure functions as the “temporary” Leuven station and is located just
outside Diest gate. Three years later Leuven had its first permanent station: a plain
and functional neoclassical building which stretches 40 metres in length. As is often
the case when designing a first station, François Henri Laenen, Town Architect,
designs a building with a classical, rigid composition. The central part has two
levels, on the ground floor the passenger concourse and on the first floor the station
master’s residence. The two side wings house the additional functions.1
As is the case in other towns the arrival of the railway signals the start of an urban
development in the area located between the historical centre and the station. The
urban plan - by François Henri Laenen - to develop a new trainstation district, was
approved in 1839. The straight axis between the historical town centre and the
station was the new main artery of Leuven. Between 1843 and 1849, the station
square, now Martelarenplein, was developed. The facades of the row of buildings
on the square were given a uniform aspect, plastered and painted white. The
station and part of the square are located within the town limits of Kessel-Lo. It was
not until 1986 that the station was finally positioned within the Leuven city limits.
This does not change the fact that the railway lines form a tear in the urban fabric
which is difficult to bridge. In the 19th century, a middle class district emerged on
one side of the station, while on the Kessel-Lo side a working class community
developed around the railway Central Workshops.
In 1871, the Town Architect Lavergne speaks in favour of removing the
“Diestsesteenweg” ground level crossing in order to build a warehouse, as well
as a new and bigger passenger station, together with a roof for the platforms. On
September 7th, 1879, thenewstation, aneoclassical designby the architect engineer
Henri Fouquet, was constructed.2 All three parts of the building correspond to a
specific function. At the centre the central passenger hall with adjoining waiting
rooms, to the left the post office, to the right a space for station staff and the
telegraph office. Edward Fiers creates two statues to complete the façade; female
figures symbolizing science and the constitution. The station clock was integrated
into the pilaster pediment of the façade as well as two types of windows. At the
centre an opening with a Serlio motif is flanked by two oval windows or “oeil de
boeuf”. Daylight penetrates through the Serlio window into the high-ceilinged
central hall. The station with its sculptures in the façade and internal decoration was
designed to express nationalism and a sense of community. In 1879 a monumental
metal platform roof was added. With its length of 140 metres and its width of 45
metres, this structure bridges the tracks with one single span. Unlike the platform
roof in Brugge with its pointed structure to accentuate its neogothic style, the
platform roof in Leuven assumes the more traditional, arched shape.3 (fig.1)
The First World War was a catastrophe for Leuven: by the end of August 1914
disaster falls on the old university town and fires destroyed more than a thousand
houses.4 Tiensevest and the area between the station and the town centre were
most affected. However, the station itself was saved. The rebuilding of Leuven did
become an interesting test case and has already been studied at large.5
Street names were changed after 1918 in memory of this devastating event:
Statiestraat became Bondgenotenlaan and Stationsplein became Martelarenplein.
In the interwar period, a monument was errected on the square in memory of the