Ostend (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Restoration of Ostend’s Royal Galleries has started, funded with €42 million by the Flemish government. Work will begin September 15, 2025, in phases, with minimal disruption along the Gaanderijen promenade.
As VRT News reported, in Ostend, work has started on the restoration of the famous Royal Galleries along the sea wall. The Royal Galleries, together with the Thermae Palace, are well-known far beyond the city for their historical and cultural importance. Local authorities say that being able to start the restoration is an important moment for many people.
What’s happening with Ostend’s €42M Royal Galleries restoration?
A construction area has been set up on the grassy section of the Gaanderijen promenade to prepare for the work. From September 15, 2025, scaffolding will be erected around the Royal Galleries, and the restoration work on the building will begin. Officials promise that people walking along the sea dike will experience only minimal disruption.
The city council decided to separate this work from the renovation of the nearby Thermae Palace to speed up the process. The restoration of the Galleries will be carried out in 3 phases. The left wing will be restored first, followed by the right wing, although some overlap between the 2 phases is expected.
Officials expect the 2 outer sections of the Galleries to be completed by next summer, before the construction holidays. By then, a timeline for work on the central section of the building is expected to be announced.
The restoration project is supported by significant funding from the Flemish government. Last year, an additional €30 million was allocated for the Galleries, adding to the €12 million previously assigned by the earlier Flemish government.
The Royal Galleries in Ostend were originally built between 1900 and 1903 as part of the expansion of the Thermae Palace complex along the sea wall. They have long been a major cultural and tourist attraction, renowned for their architecture and historic significance. Previous restoration efforts took place in the late 20th century, but many parts of the Galleries had since fallen into disrepair.
