Leuven – After two years of extensive restoration, the historic 1838 Sint-Pietersgasthuis wing has reopened as “The Guesthouse” within Martin’s Klooster Hotel, featuring 32 guest rooms, the Curatio restaurant, and a modern conference centre, as announced by Alderman Dirk Vansina, reports 24brussels.
According to VRT News, this renovation has successfully merged the site’s rich historical architecture with contemporary hospitality concepts, segmented into three distinct areas.
Details on the reopening of the Sint-Pietersgasthuis wing
The ground floor and basement are now home to the newly opened Curatio restaurant, which emphasizes culinary excellence within the context of the building’s historical significance. The original ice cellar from the hospital’s past has been preserved and is now accessible to visitors, enriching the site’s cultural value and safeguarding Leuven’s heritage.
“The repurposing of the old wing of the Sint-Pietersgasthuis into accommodation, a conference centre and a restaurant not only strengthens the dynamism of the Hertogensite, but also emphasises Leuven’s international standing,”
said Alderman for Urban Development Dirk Vansina (CD&V).
The first floor now serves as a conference centre with rooms designed for various meetings and events. Notably, each room is named after a prominent Belgian woman in healthcare, with the main hall dedicated to Isala Van Diest, Belgium’s first female doctor.
The upper two floors accommodate 32 hotel rooms, addressing the growing need for lodging in a city that continues to attract researchers, entrepreneurs, and tourists. As Leuven prepares to bid for the European Capital of Culture 2030, such facilities are deemed crucial.
Originally constructed in 1838 in a neoclassical architectural style, the building drew inspiration from Hôpital Saint-André in Bordeaux. For over 170 years, it served as one of Leuven’s main hospitals until medical services relocated to Gasthuisberg.
After years of vacancy, this site is located on the Hertogensite, formerly a hospital district that is being revitalized into a modern urban quarter. The decision to restore and repurpose the guesthouse wing of Sint-Pietersgasthuis aims to ensure its preservation and safeguard its historical legacy.
