Description
The corner of East and Capricorn streets is dominated by a tall eclectic apartment building built in 1922-1925 to the plans of architect François Van Rompaey, commissioned by Israel Jackont.
History
Israel Jackont (°Warschau, 1883), was a Polish-Jewish diamond merchant who lived at 30 Van Leriusstraat, in the middle of Antwerp's diamond district. Married in Amsterdam in 1906 to Latvian Bertha Goldfein (Jacobstadt, 1879-Auschwitz, 1942), he had settled in Antwerp in 1907. During the interwar period, he operated an industrial wool laundry, and chaired the management board of the Fortunia diamond exchange. Both were deported to Auschwitz on 10 October 1942 with the XIIth transport from Kazerne Dossin.
With this apartment building, Jackont realises one of the most imposing and richly detailed buildings in Zurenborg. Its location on the corner of Oostenstraat, adjacent to the Jewish quarter and next to the railway, was effectively chosen: the building is located in a highly visible and accessible location. Frans Van Rompaey was active in the surrounding streets during the interwar period, and was perhaps an obvious choice for that reason. The richly decorated, historicising architectural style is a constant in his oeuvre.
source : onroerenderfgoed.be
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