Grand Hôtel Belle Vue - The Rotunda

The urban planning and street layout of Westende were designed by architects Octave Van Rysselberghe and Paul Otlet. However, much of it was lost during the two world wars. Additionally, many structures were demolished to meet the demands of tourism.
Today, a unique design by Van Rysselberghe in so-called pre-modernist style still survives. It is a milestone in his oeuvre, which previously leaned more towards eclecticism and art nouveau.
In this design from around 1910, the architect emphasizes a play of strict volumes. It is a sober architecture, where the constructive elements are entirely made of reinforced concrete. Yet it is not 'ascetic architecture,' as it contains references to architectural history: Van Rysselberghe clearly values symmetry and facade rhythm and even uses 'antique' columns on the ground floor... Therefore, there are clear Italianizing elements present. The tripartite arrangement of the windows even refers to the Renaissance architecture of Andrea Palladio.
By giving the whole a white appearance, the play of forms and the strictness are further emphasized. After the partial destruction during World War I, the building was restored and even dressed in a more modernist way. Where a red tiled roof once crowned the mansard floor, this was replaced during the interwar period by a fifth floor.
The original function as a hotel has partly been replaced over time by a permanent residential function: today, there are no hotel rooms in the main volume, but apartments.
In the rotunda itself, the semicircular extension, there are still 11 hotel rooms and a restaurant that is also accessible to non-hotel guests.
This masterpiece by Van Rysselberghe was protected as a monument in 1983. In 1997, it received a complete renovation.

Toerisme Middelkerke