Villa Empain is an Art Deco villa in Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium, and a filming location for Mon Crime (2023) and Racer and the Jailbird (2017). Built in 1934, it was designed by Michel Polak. It is owned by Boghossian Foundation.
Location: Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 67, Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium
Verified facts
- Located in Ixelles, Brussels
confidence 85/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-1145, SRC-1146, SRC-3230 - Designed by Michel Polak
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-1145, SRC-1147 - Built in 1934
confidence 70/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-1145, SRC-1148, SRC-3231 - Architectural style: Art Deco
confidence 85/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-1145, SRC-1148, SRC-3232 - Historic designation: Protected heritage monument (Brussels-Capital Region)
confidence 85/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-1145, SRC-1149, SRC-3233 - Owned by Boghossian Foundation
confidence 90/100 · 6 independent sources · SRC-1145, SRC-1148, SRC-3233, SRC-4513, SRC-6052, SRC-1147 - Appeared in Mon Crime (movie, 2023)
confidence 70/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-9384, SRC-9385, SRC-9522 - Appeared in Racer and the Jailbird (movie, 2017)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-12761, SRC-12762, SRC-13269, SRC-14869
Evidence & sources
- SRC-1145 — Villa Empain — Wikipedia (Tier 2, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1146 — Villa Empain — BANAD Festival (Brussels Art Nouveau & Art Deco) (Tier 2, institutional; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1147 — The Villa Empain — Boghossian Foundation (official site) (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1148 — Villa Empain in Brussels — European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards (Tier 2, institutional; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1149 — Almost a century of history — Boghossian Foundation (official site) (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12761 — https://www.visit.brussels/en/visitors/what-to-do/brussels-filming-location (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12762 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racer_and_the_Jailbird (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-13269 — screen.brussels (official Brussels Film Commission) — Villa Empain movie set (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-14869 — Discover Brussels through 8 films | Visit Brussels (Tier 2, reference; retrieved July 2026)
- SRC-3230 — Culture Ixelles (official Ixelles commune cultural register) — Boghossian Foundation / Villa Empain (Tier 1, official_site; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-3231 — The World (PRX / public radio) — Brussels' historic Villa Empain rises from ruins (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-3232 — Brussels-Capital Region — Inventory of Architectural Heritage (monument.heritage.brussels), Hotel/Villa Empain (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-3233 — The Low Countries — Villa Empain, an Art Deco Palace for Art and Intercultural Dialogue (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-4513 — Theguardian (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5100 — visit.brussels (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5813 — Brussels Museums — Boghossian Foundation / Villa Empain (Tier 2, institutional; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5814 — Visit.brussels (official Brussels tourism) — Boghossian Foundation / Villa Empain (Tier 1, tourism_board; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-6052 — Boghossian Foundation – Villa Empain — Kunstenfestivaldesarts (Tier 3, arts_organization; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9384 — www.brusselstimes.com (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9385 — fr.wikipedia.org (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9522 — justice-en-ligne.be (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
How we verify
Every fact above is independently corroborated by at least two reputable sources and
confidence-scored before publication. Claims that cannot clear that bar are withheld. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.
Plan Your Visit
Hours: Tue-Sun 11am-6pm, closed Mon; open public holidays except 1 Jan and 25 Dec.
Admission: Adult EUR 10; seniors 65+/students under 26 EUR 8; under 12 free. Free first Wednesday of each month; museumPASSmusees and Brussels Card free.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Mon Crime filmed?
Villa Empain, in Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, is a real-world filming location used for Mon Crime. This property has also appeared on screen in Racer and the Jailbird.
Where was Racer and the Jailbird filmed?
Villa Empain, in Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, is a real-world filming location used for Racer and the Jailbird. This property has also appeared on screen in Mon Crime.
Can you visit Villa Empain?
Yes — Villa Empain is open to the public. Hours: Tue-Sun 11am-6pm, closed Mon; open public holidays except 1 Jan and 25 Dec.. Admission: Adult EUR 10; seniors 65+/students under 26 EUR 8; under 12 free. Free first Wednesday of each month; museumPASSmusees and Brussels Card free..
Who designed Villa Empain?
Villa Empain was designed by Michel Polak.
Where is Villa Empain located?
Villa Empain is located in Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region.