Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp’s recent plans to expand its five-star hotel with new residential and office spaces have hit a major roadblock. On 2025-06-04 22:44:00, the Antwerp city council rejected the permit application submitted by Botanic-Estate nv, the developer behind the luxury hotel, to convert three single-family homes on Sint-Jorispoort.
- Botanic-Estate requests permit to expand hotel
- City rejects plans due to building codes
- Properties classified as architectural heritage protected
- City aims to preserve single-family housing
- Previous construction violations involved unpermitted modifications
- Potential unauthorized work detected before permit approval
The proposal aimed to add a ground-floor restaurant and offices above, but it clashed with local building codes and the Binnenstad spatial execution plan. This refusal highlights the city’s commitment to preserving its architectural heritage and residential character. What does this mean for future development projects in Antwerp’s historic areas?
Before exploring that, it’s important to understand the reasons behind the permit denial and its implications for Botanic Sanctuary’s ambitions.
Why did the city reject Botanic Sanctuary’s plans? The refusal underscores Antwerp’s strict adherence to urban planning laws designed to protect its unique character. Key factors include:
- The homes are part of a protected architectural heritage group, with two officially listed as immovable heritage.
- The Binnenstad spatial plan mandates preserving the street’s historic appearance and residential function.
- The city enforces limits on converting single-family homes under 350 m² into multi-family or commercial use.
- Previous building violations by Botanic Sanctuary raise concerns about compliance with regulations.
Looking ahead, will Botanic Sanctuary revise its plans to align with local regulations, or will this spark wider debates on urban development in Antwerp? Stakeholders should watch closely how preservation priorities shape the city’s evolving landscape and what this means for future luxury projects.
