August, Antwerp
A Former Convent Reimagined by Vincent Van Duysen into One of Europe’s Most Serene Design Hotels
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A masterful transformation of a 19th-century convent and military hospital by renowned Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen.
● Quiet, tactile interiors where natural materials, perfect proportions and restrained design create an extraordinary sense of calm.
● A unique destination where heritage architecture, exceptional dining and contemporary Belgian design come together in perfect harmony.
A Sanctuary Reborn
Hidden within Antwerp’s Green Quarter, August offers one of the city’s most remarkable architectural experiences. Originally built as part of a 19th-century military hospital and later home to an Augustinian convent, the historic complex has been carefully restored into a boutique hotel that respects every layer of its past. Rather than erasing history, the transformation allows it to remain visible through soaring ceilings, original tiled floors, arched windows and tranquil cloisters. The result feels less like a hotel and more like a place of quiet reflection.
Vincent Van Duysen’s Signature Restraint
For years, Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen declined hotel commissions, preferring residential projects where atmosphere could evolve naturally over time. August became the exception. His intervention is remarkably subtle. Natural limestone, brushed oak, soft plaster walls and muted colour palettes create interiors where every material has been selected for its honesty rather than its luxury. Carefully integrated lighting, bespoke furniture and understated brass details reinforce the sense of calm without ever drawing attention to themselves. Nothing feels designed to impress. Everything feels designed to endure.
Rooms Defined by Light and Texture
Each of the hotel’s rooms and suites follows the same philosophy of quiet simplicity. Custom-designed furniture, soft natural fabrics and beautifully balanced proportions create spaces that feel deeply restful. Original architectural elements remain visible throughout, while contemporary comforts are integrated with remarkable discretion. The atmosphere is warm, tactile and residential, allowing guests to experience Van Duysen’s architecture as it was intended: through light, texture and proportion rather than decoration.
The Chapel Becomes the Heart of the Hotel
One of August’s most memorable spaces is its former chapel, now transformed into an elegant bar. Original stained-glass windows, soaring ceilings and historic architectural details remain intact, while contemporary furnishings introduce a relaxed social atmosphere. The space perfectly captures the hotel’s philosophy: honouring the building’s history while allowing it to evolve naturally for modern life. It is both reverent and wonderfully inviting.
A Contemporary Culinary Destination
The restaurant continues the same restrained approach. Seasonal ingredients, refined techniques and uncomplicated flavours reflect the architecture itself—precise, balanced and quietly confident. During warmer months, meals extend into the landscaped courtyard gardens, where the peaceful surroundings reinforce the hotel’s connection to its monastic origins. Every aspect of the experience encourages guests to slow down.
A New Chapter for Antwerp’s Green Quarter
August has become one of the defining landmarks of Antwerp’s Green Quarter, a former military district transformed into one of the city’s most creative neighbourhoods. Design studios, independent restaurants, galleries and green public spaces surround the hotel, creating an environment that feels both residential and culturally vibrant. Despite its tranquil atmosphere, the historic centre of Antwerp remains only minutes away. It is a location that perfectly reflects the hotel’s balance between retreat and discovery.
Why It Works
August succeeds because it never tries to compete with its remarkable architecture. Instead, Vincent Van Duysen allows the building itself to take the lead, using natural materials, subtle craftsmanship and restrained contemporary interventions to reveal its quiet beauty. The result is one of Europe’s finest examples of adaptive reuse—where heritage, modern design and hospitality exist in complete harmony. For travellers who appreciate architecture with emotional depth, understated luxury and spaces that genuinely restore a sense of calm, August is one of Antwerp’s most exceptional places to stay.
