Royal Horse Stables

The Royal Stables in Ostend, Belgium, were built between 1903 and 1907 by order of King Leopold II, inspired by the Norwegian pavilion at the 1900 Paris World Fair.

Although never used as actual stables, the building served various purposes, including housing refugees during World War I, a school, and a sports center. By 1981, the remaining structure was recognized as a protected monument. 

Now, the stables are undergoing a major renovation, with the first phase completed in the last two years, using DuroGrit to restore their historic grandeur.

The project faced significant challenges: there was moisture damage and a lack of knowledge about wooden constructions such as these, which are very uncommon in the region. The most difficult task, however, was preserving the original character of the stables while ensuring protection for both the old pine and new European Douglas wood. 

After extensive testing, the team chose DuroGrit "Saddle Black" to maintain the wood’s texture while providing a deep black finish and strong UV resistance.