(Re)Discover the City – Cortina and New Cortina

Do you think you know our capital well? Think again! Some buildings you pass by every day hide fascinating stories. Dr. Robert L. Philippart, a true expert in the field, will guide you through the city to discover these hidden histories, offering a new perspective on some of Luxembourg’s most iconic buildings.

The Cortina ladies’ boutique opened in 1960 at No. 56 Grand’Rue. It offered as novelties suede and leather clothing and accessories, including skirts, pullovers, and trousers. The store specialized in sportswear, formal wear, and city attire. Stocking high-end brands, Cortina offered Parisian knitwear as well as items from Korrigan, Lesur, and Kodler. In 1961, the boutique featured skirts lined with chunky knit fabrics, paired with pointed pullovers and belted polos. Among its offerings were exclusive Parisian blouses made of lamb leather and velvet.

The business was so successful that Simon Alter and Max Schabes opened a second ladies’ fashion store in Esch-sur-Alzette.

Success continued to grow, and in 1966, Cortina, the Parisian fashion house, inaugurated expanded premises on Grand’Rue. To further develop the business, the brand opened the “New Cortina” in 1977 next door, specializing in ready-to-wear women’s clothing. The store was managed by a young, enterprising woman to better meet the needs of the targeted clientele. The house also had its own in-house tailoring workshop.

The press was highly complimentary at the opening and offered a glimpse into the now-disappeared interior: “Whether young or older, for sporty occasions or festive days, New Cortina offers what one needs. The furnishings, large display windows, mirrors, and Inoyrah frames match the soft carpeting. The various levels, which pleasantly organize and clearly present the abundant offerings, allow the customer to make her choice in peace” (Luxemburger Wort, March 22, 1977).

More intimate fitting rooms were also provided. The New Cortina featured a brutalist façade designed by Théo Worré, while the sales areas were designed by Jean-Marie Vinkenbosch, an interior architect from Brussels.

Paul Sternz, an architect from Brussels, and Nele Huismans designed the sales areas of the Cortina store on Grand’Rue and the New Cortina, which was set to open in 1988 at the corner of Rue Jean Origer and Avenue de la Gare. Nele Huismans was one of the first female architects teaching at the Higher Institute of Architecture at La Cambre.

The Cortina boutique on Grand’Rue later moved its store to the train station district, where the brand remained until 2001. The building on Grand’Rue was integrated into a large real estate project that included a covered passage with 18 shops, 3 bank branches, and 9 apartments between Rue Beaumont and Grand’Rue.

As with the Brasseur Center, the former Namur Confectionery on Grand’Rue, the passage to Rue Philippe II, or the one on Rue des Capucins, the Cour de la Bourse and the esplanade around the Forum Royal aimed to increase the commercial offering in the city center while shopping malls began emerging on the outskirts.

Together with the establishment of the pedestrian zone in 1981 and the creation of underground public parking, the appeal of the Upper City was strengthened. It was not until 1994 that Grand’Rue was included within the UNESCO perimeter. Since Pierre Vago’s general development plan in 1967, this commercial street had been part of the city’s “central sector, ” without heritage protection.

Research et texts :

Robert L.Phillippart

Photo credits photos :

Cortina © photothèque de la Ville de Luxembourg Photo Tony Krier 1967

Cortina © photohtèque de la Ville de Luxembourg photo.inconnu

Emplacement de l’ancien magasin Cortina et New Cortina, Grand’Rue © Rolph