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Date

Client

Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp Hotel

Location

Antwerpen

Status

Gerealiseerd

Mourik lays foundation for monumental five-star hotel

The Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp is located at the Elzenveld Centre in Antwerp's historic centre. It is the Scheldt city's only five-star hotel, boasting luxury and comfort. Yet the history of this stunning hotel dates back centuries to 1238. The transformation of the former hospital and monastery into an iconic top-rated hotel required a delicate balance between preserving its architectural features and fitting state-of-the-art facilities. Mourik laid both the actual and metaphorical foundation for this project.

Foundation techniques for complex renovation

Our contribution towards this luxury hotel consisted of the underground and overground building structure, as well as the sanitary infrastructure for the renovation of a total of five historic buildings. We used various special foundation techniques, such as underpinning, temporary support with Berliner walls and VHP grouting, produced by injecting liquid cement (grout) into the ground. Our tasklist also included all of the associated groundwork and concreting, reinforcement and formwork, masonry and fitting of prefab structures.

Challenges historic building in heart of city

The challenge here was two-fold: first of all, there was the complexity of providing foundations for existing historic buildings, which always involve unforeseen situations. This obviously needed to happen without causing damage or instability. Underpinning, Berliner walls and VHP grouting are tried-and-tested foundation techniques, but they also require specific expertise and experience. The location also added to the complexity of the project. Space is scarce in the centre of Antwerp and this has an impact on the transport of materials to and from the site, planning, and the logistics of the work. We minimised the nuisance, however, by working in close consultation with the principal, fellow contractors, other stakeholders and the local community.

For Mourik, the project was an outstanding opportunity to showcase our craftsmanship and our versatility. In this case, with a combination of complex foundation techniques, all-round construction, specific expertise in sanitary facilities and fitting them in an existing building, while preserving the architectural features. The result speaks for itself: the Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp is now a breathtaking five-star hotel that combines historical charm with state-of-the-art comfort and luxury – a new landmark in the city of Antwerp.

Contact

Michel Mosselmans

Michel Mosselmans

Manager Construction
Mourik n.v. Groenendaallaan 399
B-2030 Antwerpen
BELGIUM

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