Hotel d'Hane-Steenhuyse, Ghent

The Hotel d'Hane-Steenhuyse is an elegant 18th-century hôtel particulier located in Veldstraat, Ghent. Constructed between 1768 and 1773, this grand townhouse was designed by Jan Baptist Simoens, who is credited with the building's rear facade and the "salle à l'italienne." The main facade, possibly designed by David 't Kindt, though without archival confirmation, showcases a mix of Louis XV style with Baroque and Rococo elements, featuring a protruding central section adorned with Corinthian half-pilasters and a segment arch pediment.

The building's irregular shape is due to its construction on plots of older houses, maximizing space between neighboring structures. Instead of a central entrance, access is through a carriageway at one end of the facade, leading to a garden-facing enfilade. The vestibule, parallel to the facade, connects to interlinked rooms forming another enfilade, with discreet passageways for staff. The rear facade, in neoclassical Louis XVI style, features three sections with pilasters and a pediment and faces a courtyard with a Louis XVI-style terrace from 1773.

Historically, the building was a hub for nobility in the early 19th century and notably served as the residence of King Louis XVIII during his exile in 1815. He held court there and, in gratitude, presented his host with a porcelain dessert service, now displayed in the Ghent City Museum (STAM).

Despite its grandeur, the hotel fell into disuse in the 20th century and briefly housed the unsuccessful Museum of the Hundred Days in 1949. The City of Ghent acquired the property in 1981, using it initially as an information center and later as the Monuments Management Service. Although a thorough renovation was completed in the 1990s, public access remained limited until 2015, when the ground floor was opened for commercial activities.

The interior of the Hotel d'Hane-Steenhuyse is richly decorated, featuring paintings by notable artists such as Petrus Norbertus van Reysschoot and Peter Paul Rubens, along with copies of works by Jan Brueghel the Elder. The building's design, historical significance, and art collection make it a notable example of 18th-century architecture in Ghent.