A former Augustinian cloister becomes a modern-day sanctuary under the guidance of legendary Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen in his first-ever hotel project. The story of August begins with Mouche Van Hool, owner of what has to be the most stylish boutique hotel in Antwerp, Hotel Julien, set in one of those beautifully-boned residences in the city center.
Van Hool looking for a new location to add to their portfolio the bought the former cloister in the Green Quarter that was being sold as a hotel project. Het Groen Kwartier (the Green Quarter) is a pedestrian- only luxury development on the site of a large 19th- century former military hospital complex that used to belong to the Belgian army. Van Hool and De Scheemaecker saw the potential of the site immediately.
The area is a vibrant one with numerous new shops and restaurants and small cafés. It is close to the Zurenborg area, with its stunning Art Nouveau and fin de siècle- style mansions. A leading figure in the Antwerp design scene, Vincent Van Duysen works in an understated style that clearly stems from the city’s historical architectural cadence. The August site is a combination of five buildings.
The biggest challenge for Van Duysen and his team was to link them together in an optimal way without falling foul of heritage restrictions. The nuns’ former private chapel will be the main lounge and bar area. There are two terraced townhouses with gardens adjacent to the site, one of which will accommodate a spa complete with an outdoor swimming pool with its own filtering reed bed. The building behind the chapel, which was the nuns’ living quarters, will contain most of the guestrooms, the kitchen, and a guests’ library.