The 1832 neoclassical façade gives no hint of the remarkable sight that lies beyond: three Egyptian-style temples located at the rear of building. Designed by architect Paul Bonduelle, they were built between 1909 and 1910 for the Masonic lodge Les Vrais Amis de l'Union et du Progrès Réunis (The True Friends of Union and Progress United). In 1956, Les Amis Philanthropes (The Philanthropic Friends) – another Brussels lodge, founded in 1879 – left the temple it had built in Rue du Persil/Peterseliestraat in 1879 to be part of the expansion of the Rue de Laeken/Lakensestraat temples. Further on, the English Small Temple, the Pierre Van Humbeek Middle Temple and the Henri La Fontaine Grand Temple (the largest in Europe) share the same polychrome decor of large concave moulded cornices, Hathor pilasters, uraei, winged solar discs, double-headed eagles and Masonic instruments. While the Small Temple has an intimate feel, with its fabric-covered walls and ceiling depicting the heavens, the two larger temples impress the onlooker with their papyriform columns and grand scale. Below the ceiling, the architrave is punctuated by a frieze of rams. Stucco, woodwork and marble complete the decoration, which illustrates the tremendous appeal that Egypt held for the Masonic lodge. Finally, the Blue Temple, designed by architect Frans De Brucq, will delight visitors with a taste for bright and fantastical decor. This includes a gigantic expressionist mural depicting the tumult of the passions. (Listed 08/08/1988)