The Royal stables, also known as Norwegian stables, are a complex of buildings in the Belgian seaside resort of Ostend.
The buildings, designed by Finn Knudsen, were erected in 1904 as a horse stable by order of King Leopold II.
The complex is located on Koninginnelaan, an avenue between the seawall and Maria Hendrika Park, and serves as a sports centre.
This construction project was financed with the proceeds from rubber plantations in Congo Free State, then a sovereign property of King Leopold II.
The Royal stables were built by order of Leopold II. As early as 1877, the English architect W.J. Green plans for new royal stables. However, the project was not implemented. In 1902 there were new designs by various French architects, on the one hand by Coulomb and Chauvet, on the other hand by Alexandre Marcel, but these too were not implemented.
In 1902, Leopold II finally chose the design by Norwegian Finn Knudsen. Knudsen also designed the Norwegian pavilion for the 1900 World's Fair in Paris and the wooden chalet at the Royal Domain in Raversijde, which was demolished in the First World War. In April 1904, the wooden construction of the stables was started. The all-wood complex was completed in 1904, but was never used as a royal stable.
During the First World War, the complex was used as a reception center for refugees, but after the war it stood empty. In 1927, the city of Ostend leased the Stallingen from the Royal Donation. The city started renovation works to accommodate a technical school. In 1959 the Vak- en Nijverheidschool leaves the stables.
From then on, the complex was used by various associations and the art academy, eventually becoming the Municipal Sports Center in 1962. After the demolition of the part of the stables behind the main building, and the construction of the new sports hall on the same site, the complex was solemnly inaugurated on September 17, 1964.
The City of Ostend still owns the building, which is still used as a sports complex. It offers facilities for, among other things, boxing, gymnastics, judo, chess or basket. The complex was protected as a monument in 1981.
Source: Wikipedia