This architectural complex suffered the same fate as the Curtius complex. The “Brahy” and “Wilde” buildings are actually the same mansion, the construction of which, on the site of an old canonical mansion of St. Bartholomew, dates back to the second half of the 17th century.
It was Conrad de Haxhe, who was burgomaster of Liège in 1673, who built, between 1670 and 1685, the first house in brick and limestone under a slate roof. It was composed of the road-facing building and a wing to the west (the Brahy part) and the main building to the south (the Wilde part), the façade of which has a very elegant composition, with two staircase turrets under Mansart roofs.
In 1727, the complex was acquired by the Closset family. It remained with them until the beginning of the 19th century, though not without having undergone many developments, such as being divided into two properties around 1770. The old façade overlooking the main courtyard was walled and the mansion turned towards the quay where its entrance was located. New common areas were added to form the courtyard of the Wilde mansion.
The two mansions had several owners, before being acquired by the city in the 20th century. They were then used for storage until their inclusion in the museum complex.
In the first museum-development plan by the French Repérage group, the buildings were almost entirely demolished to be replaced by a central building. Long legal procedures saved it from destruction. In the current project, it has become the nerve centre of the museum complex, housing the reception, the café and very important exhibition halls dedicated to the Middle Ages.