Nieuwpoort-Bad, Belgium
Led by David Chipperfield Architects together with Bureau Bouwtechniek, the former Grand Hotel in Nieuwpoort-Bad built in 1924 is about to undergo extensive restoration after suffering substantial World War II damage, piecemeal modifications, and the demolition of some of its towers and turrets for a prominent real estate developer in Bruges dedicated as a guardian of historic buildings.
One of the last crown jewels of the Belgian coast will soon rise like a phoenix from its ashes evident from the enthusiastic plans VDD Project Development, developer of historical projects, has submitted for “The Grand,” formerly known as “White Residence.”
The building was most recently used as holiday apartments but has been vacant since 2018.
Chipperfield, in partnership with local practice Bureau Bouwtechniek, has produced plans to “restore the building’s grandeur” by restoring the historic fabric and adding an extra four stories.
The goal of the project will be achieved through its restoration and sensitive vertical extension.
The conversion will keep much of the building’s original façade, which was given protected status in 1982, and reinstate its lost towers and domes in a “playful, contemporary reinterpretation of the existing architectural language.”
The project looks to the history of The Grand Hotel, caring for its distinctive qualities while understanding the needs for it to survive into the future.
The surviving historic fabric will be carefully restored, such as the entrance and the original façade features.
The graceful bays and terraces that were an extension of the public space along with the Grand public rooms that were destroyed and filled in during the 1950s will be reinstated.
The apartments, situated on the upper floors, will be respectful to the original structure of the hotel.
Lost elements, such as the tower and the domes, will be reinstated, drawing inspiration from the playful original design.
The building will grow in scale with an additional four stories to regain its status as a landmark on the Nieuwpoort beachfront.
The building itself retains much of its decorative façade and so the extension requires a sensitive understanding of heritage value and entails reinterpretation and invention as well as restoration.
In a statement, the practice said: ” The new design does not seek to impose a style or signature to the building, nor does it try to create a contrast between the historic fabric and its new additions.”
“In this respect, it can be seen as part of a largely forgotten tradition of adapting and extending historic buildings; engaging directly with the original fabric of construction to allow a nuanced reading of the building’s history.”
The project is due to be completed in 2024.
Project: Restoration of the Grand Hotel
Architects: David Chipperfield Architects
Design Team: David Chipperfield, Benito Blanco, Billy Prendergast, Alexander Hill, Joe Hewlett, Ricardo Alvarez, Isabel de Azevedo, Anahita Brahmbhatt, Annebe Brouwer, Cathal Crumley, Judi Diab, Ines Gavelli, Tom Herre, Mattias Kunz, Lydia Liu, Aurora Montero, Tram Huong Ngo, Katherine Nolan, Carlo Vincelli, Margherita Zompa, and Richard Youel
Associate Architects: Bureau Bouwtechniek
Restoration Architects: Origin Architecture & Engineering
Original Architect: Apollon Lagache (1924)
Interior Designers: Arjaan De Feyter Interior Architects
Client: VDD Project Development
