Thermae Palace
Who does not know the Thermae Palace Hotel? The Belgian luxury hotel on the coast of Ostend, near the famous Royal Galleries and the Wellington Racecourse is an icon. Today, the legendary complex is in decline and for years it failed to develop a positive future. Today, thanks to the collaboration between PMV and the city of Ostend, that perspective is there.
It was King Leopold II who expressed the desire for the city to develop a thermal centre. As early as 1856, mineral spring water had been tapped in the city but it would not be until the Interwar period before the idea was really developed. The current hotel dates from 1933. It was designed by Ostend city architect André-Louis Daniëls, who started the project in 1929 with the help of French architects J. Flegenheimer, H. Bard and F. Garella. From 1931, it was built over a period of 18 months. The grand opening on 28 June 1933 of the then ‘Palais des Thermes’ was done by King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth. The hotel was completely finished in art deco style. The building consisted of the Grand Hôtel itself, a swimming pool filled daily with fresh seawater, the thermal baths and a thermal institute. In the drinking hall, ornamented with allegorical frescoes, one found the Albert I spring, where the water was attributed with beneficial effects against stomach and intestinal disorders.
Drinking hall
From 1940 to 1980, the thermal baths were not operated. The swimming pool did remain in use during that time, as Ostend’s municipal swimming pool (until 1976). The drinking hall and fountain disappeared along with the swimming pool from the complex, which was completely refurbished and adapted to contemporary requirements for a luxury hotel. A new swimming pool was added to the hotel and an adjoining municipal swimming pool. On 19 February 2002, the building was protected as a monument. Today, the complex is in disrepair. For years it failed to work out a solution.
PMV’s role
PMV and the city of Ostend concluded a cooperation agreement for the redevelopment of the site. PMV will support the city in drawing up, elaborating and implementing a plan of action for the optimisation of the site. In parallel, PMV is investigating a possible investment.
Other partners
In addition to the city of Ostend, the Flemish Heritage Agency is a key partner.
