Royal Galleries Ostend

In Ostend, the iconic Royal Galleries is undergoing an extensive restoration. Completed in 1905 and stretching for approximately 400 metres, these monumental galleries were originally designed to shelter promenading visitors and members of high society from sun and rain while walking between the royal chalet and the Wellington Racecourse. In the early 1930s, the renowned Thermal Palace was also constructed alongside the galleries. The restoration works are being carried out by Artes Woudenberg, specialists in complex heritage restoration projects.

For the natural stone restoration, St.One by Saint-Astier was selected, a high-quality restoration mortar specifically developed for natural stone repairs. The shades St.One 14 – Light Euville and St.One 15 – Dark Euville were used to recreate the original stone appearance and tonal variations as accurately as possible. In addition, selected sections were repointed with RC Astivo colour 139, a breathable jointing mortar based on natural hydraulic lime (NHL 3.5). This combination of traditional materials and specialist restoration techniques ensures that the Royal Galleries retain their historic character while being sustainably preserved for the future.