A crumbling ballroom opposite Brussels’ Horta Museum has been reborn as a gallery dedicated to modern design.

New Hope gallery is a partnership between architect Olivier Dwek and entrepreneur Frédéric Hanrez – whose family owned the building the art hub is now based in.

Back in 1865, the space was converted into a ballroom for Hanrez’s great-great-great grandfather’s 25th wedding anniversary, but by the time he decided to use the space, it was little more than a ruin. The entrepreneur has an extensive collection of 20th-century furniture sourced from New Hope in Pennsylvania – which explains the gallery’s name.

Dwek overhauled the dilapidated space, installing black lava flooring, handmade black bricks, and floor-to-ceiling windows and spending five years completing the gallery.

A vast slab of green marble divides the space, forming the backdrop to furniture by George Nakashima, Jean Prouvé and Ole Larsen, and artworks by Brigitte Marionneau and ceramics by Suzanne Ramié. Hanrez plans to use the gallery to host temporary exhibitions, which will include pieces from his impressive collection.

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