La Réserve, an iconic hotel in the chic Belgian seaside resort of Knokke, opened its doors 1949 and has welcomed many celebrities over the years. After acquiring the hotel in 2021, project developer Bart Versluys and investor Marc Coucke decided to renovate this classic landmark to give it a more contemporary look, while at the same time respecting its rich history. Architect Glenn Sestig, well known for his refined style and unique use of glass, was commissioned to modernise the building and transform it into a luxury five-star hotel.
Subtlety and mystery
Sestig, a master of incorporating glass into his designs in subtle yet powerful ways, went all-in at La Réserve, creating impressive optical effects by judiciously using glass panels and mirrors to enlarge spaces and add a sense of mystery, but without the glass being too obvious. “I use glass to double the size of spaces, but I don't like it to be 'in your face'”, Sestig explains. “I deliberately utilised it in such a way that it's unobtrusive and barely noticeable.” In fact, you can stroll through the hotel without even really noticing the glass at all. This subtle use ensures the design is never ostentatious or kitschy. For example, the dark mirrors around the fireplace in the lobby visually double the room's length , while adding to the feeling of luxury and mystery. “Dark mirrors add that extra little touch of luxury without being too obvious,” says Sestig. “And by covering the glass fins supporting the external glazing with mirrors, what was previously a purely structural element is now also decorative.”
The aim of the renovation was to transform La Réserve into an international luxury destination, comparable to hotels in cities such as Paris and New York. Sestig deliberately opted for a cosmopolitan look, tailoring the design to the varied tastes of the guests. “The hotel must be accessible to everyone, yet still exude the charm and luxury that guests expect,” says Sestig.
The high-quality AGC glass products used in the La Réserve renovation project contribute to the building's elegant and luxurious aesthetic:
Lacobel Black Classic
Black painted glass with a sleek, glossy finish. This is the ideal product for interior applications, such as furniture finishings and wall cladding. At La Réserve it is used for tabletops and columns.
Mirox MNGE Grey
A grey eco-friendly mirror that creates a feeling of space and luxury. At La Réserve, Mirox MNGE Grey can be found in the lobby, the entrance to the restaurant and the stairwell. The mirror is produced in Belgium.
Mirox MNGE Bronze
This bronze mirror adds warmth and refinement to the interior of the hotel, where it endows the lobby with a subtle, luxurious look.
Mirox MNGE on Clearvision
This extra-clear mirror delivers maximum luminosity and is used in applications where superior reflection is required without colour distortion, specifically the central part of the interior on the sides of the furniture .
Lacobel Pure White
A pure white, painted glass often used in modern interiors for a bright, fresh look. At La Réserve, Lacobel Pure White is used in the back wall of the Chanel display case, creating a sharp contrast with the black elements.
Project Partners
Developer: Groep Versluys
Investor: Alychlo
Architect (renovation): Glenn Sestig Architects
Glass: Glascentrale
Photography: Jean-Michel Byl
