€1 billion to make Knokke jewel of northern Europe’s coast

In the coming four years, investors will spend €1 billion to develop Knokke into a conference centre city, according to Leopold Lippens, mayor of the coastal town. “There is a shortage of quality hotels at the coast,” he told the magazine Trends. “Where could you be better situated than in Knokke?”

One of the main projects will be repurposing the city’s casino (pictured). Much of it will be broken apart, but the protected Magritte Hall will remain intact. The gaming room will move downstairs, and parking for 1,000 cars will be added. A hotel with 350-450 rooms will take up the upper floors.

Money can now be borrowed at an interest rate of 1%, Lippens said, making the cost of such a conversion – he estimated €160 million – cheaper than ever before. The €1 billion figure includes Knokke’s share of the works on the A11 link with Zeebrugge, largely financed by the Flemish region.

That, together with the construction of a hospital, accounts for half the total. The rest he sees as an investment in returning Knokke to its former glory. “In the old days Knokke could was seen as a fashionable resort and unique tourist destination,” he told the magazine. “Now we compete with resorts across the world, thanks to super-cheap flights.”

If the hotel project does not attract investors, Lippens is ready to finance it himself, either alone or in his capacity as mayor. “That would mean that rich clients would come here and spend money,” he said. “It works in Biarritz. The north of Europe has no resorts of any significance. Knokke could become one.”

Photo: Lipstar/Wikimedia