Westende-Bad: Seaside resort history, architectural heritage and water sports

A seaside resort with a traceable history

Westende-Bad was conceived in 1894 as a new seaside resort settlement in the dunes, on the territory of Westende and Middelkerke. This history provides a framework for later changes to the sea dike and the expansion of the tram connection. The town’s development can therefore be placed in chronological context through specific building and transport phases.

Around 1896, the first brick section of the sea dike was 354 metres long. The dike was extended by 832 metres in 1905 and by a further 580 metres in 1911. These figures represent three historical construction phases, each with its own length. The electric tram connection between Oostende and Middelkerke-Bad was also extended to Westende-Bad in 1903. Taken together, the dike and tram illustrate two different aspects of the early development of the seaside resort: the expansion of the coastline and the transport links of the time.

Architectural heritage in the town centre and at the former Grand Hôtel

The town centre of Westende-Bad is designated as a protected townscape. This is distinct from the protection of individual named buildings as monuments. The former Grand Hôtel Belle Vue, also known as the “Rotonde”, is a protected monument and was built between 1909 and 1911 on the eastern edge of the seaside resort. It was commissioned by N.V. “Grand Hôtel Belle Vue”; the design was by Octave Van Rysselberghe from Minderhout, an architect and shareholder.

The protection was granted on 27 April 1983 and initially covered the façades and roofs. On 10 November 1995, it was extended to include the interior. The dates therefore correspond to two distinct periods: 1909 to 1911 marks the construction of the former hotel, while the later dates chart the development of its protected status.

Villa and chapel: distinct architectural histories

In Westende, Villa Les Zéphyrs is protected as a monument. It is also an architecturally valuable part of the urban layout of Westende-Bad. O. Van Rysselberghe originally designed it in 1903. The villa preserves a carefully designed Art Nouveau interior, including an elaborately finished bathroom and a basement kitchen. In this building, its place in the urban layout sits alongside specific details of its interior architecture.

Another architectural landmark is the Sint-Theresiakapel. It is oriented east–west and has a Neo-Romanesque design. In 1930, it was rebuilt to replace a chapel dating from 1912, which stood a little further away; the design was by Brussels architect Victors Rubbers. Its orientation, style and role as the successor to the older chapel define its distinctive history. The chapel adds a religious building to the town’s architectural history, differing in both character and origins from the villas and the former Grand Hôtel.

Landscape and water sports

The Sint-Laureinsstrand is protected as a landscape in Westende-Bad and Lombardsijde. In Westende, the De Kwinte surf bar is located on the promenade along the Sint-Laureinsstrand; it is a central place for water and beach sports. The Surfclub Westende|Nieuwpoort offers water sports at sea in Westende, as well as surfing lessons, surf camps and equipment rental. The two points of reference are distinct: De Kwinte is a specific venue on the beach promenade, while the club is characterised by its sports, lessons, camps and rental services.

Different interests can therefore guide your choice of destination: the history of the seaside resort can be explored through its dike, tram and historic buildings, while the landscape and water sports focus is on the Sint-Laureinsstrand and the activities available in Westende. You can choose Westende-Bad according to the focus that matters for your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Slijpe, Schore, Westende, Lombardsijde.

Return to the main travel overview: Middelkerke.