Between the municipalities of Saint-Gilles/Sint-Gillis and Brussels stands the capital’s largest and most luxurious postmodernist complex, the Stéphanie Area. Built in 1990 by Atelier d’Architecture de Genval, this multifunctional complex includes a hotel, shops, offices, car parks and housing. Its monumental 75-metre frontage incorporates a number of period façades and two town houses, all unified by the addition – or otherwise – of an attic storey to even out the height differences between the various buildings. The nerve centre of the whole structure is Wiltcher’s courtyard, which can be accessed from number 16, Chaussée de Charleroi/Charleroisesteenweg via a short shopping arcade and from Avenue Louise/Louizalaan via a grand covered passageway. This rectangular space is surrounded by identical buildings whose upper floors house apartments and the rooms of the Steigenberger Icon Wiltcher’s hotel. Each of the four corners contains a square tower with a pyramidal roof. The buildings around the courtyard have eight storeys, some with partial terraces. The predominantly light colours are the result of the materials used, including reconstituted blue limestone, opaque glass, gilded aluminium frames and stainless steel. A recurring decorative palmette motif in a variety of materials and colours can be found throughout the courtyard, with its chequered paving. On the east side, a large curved staircase links the courtyard directly to the first floor of the hotel.