Renovates
Mu.ZEE is undergoing a major renovation – a new chapter for an iconic building
For many, Mu.ZEE is more than just a museum. It’s a landmark in the cityscape of Ostend, a place rich in history and with a warm heart for its neighborhood. Many still remember the building as the former Coo department store, where “everything was for sale” – a vibrant meeting point where generations came together.
Since 1986, the building has taken on a new life as a museum, first as PMMK and later as Mu.ZEE. What remained was the soul of connection and encounter – now centered around art, inspiration, and wonder.
A home for art and people
Mu.ZEE grew into a cultural home for the people of Ostend and lovers of Belgian art. From exhibitions and workshops to youth activities, lectures, and receptions – Romestraat became a warm and welcoming place for everyone. Today, we are preparing for the future.
Time for renewal
The Mu.ZEE building, designed by renowned modernist architect Gaston Eysselinck, is in need of a thorough renovation. It no longer meets the needs of a contemporary museum. Flanders, the owner of the building, is therefore investing in a large-scale renovation to prepare Mu.ZEE for future generations.
The renovation is an ambitious project, carried out with respect for the building’s heritage. The works are being executed by main contractor Algemene Ondernemingen Himpe nv, based on a design by the architectural teams Assemble (London), Czvek Rigby (Brussels), and Felix & Partners (Ostend).
The result? A sustainable, accessible, and future-oriented museum where art, culture, and community remain at the core.
The reopening is planned for 2028. A few months prior, we hope to offer the public a first glimpse of the renewed Mu.ZEE.
We remain visible and active
Although our doors at Romestraat 11 are temporarily closing, Mu.ZEE is not disappearing from the city. On the contrary: we remain visible, approachable, and active. Our offices will still be accessible via the “Mu.ZEE Apotheek” at Amsterdamstraat 41. Feel free to drop in with a question, a comment, or just for a chat. Mu.ZEE is and will always be by and for the people of Ostend.
Mu.ZEE breezes out!
During the renovation works, our collection will continue to live on throughout the city. At the Venetian Galleries on the seawall, we are organizing a series of exhibitions that carry forward the essence of Mu.ZEE. The first exhibition, It’s Sunday at Sea!, opens on June 28, 2025.
We look forward to welcoming you there again.
Suchan Kinoshita becomes artist in residence at Mu.ZEE
Starting in March 2025, Mu.ZEE will welcome artist Suchan Kinoshita as artist in residence. During the museum’s three-year renovation, she will work from the Mu.ZEE Apotheek Atelier, a studio and reflection space located in the former pharmacy on Amsterdamstraat in Ostend.
Kinoshita’s practice moves between visual art, music, and theatre, with a strong focus on time, space, and the role of the viewer. During her residency, she will incorporate materials from the construction site, invite other artists to collaborate, and work in dialogue with the Mu.ZEE collection. The Mu.ZEE Apotheek Atelier will become a space for research, encounter, and alternative forms of museum presence during the renovation.
The Mu.ZEE Apotheek Atelier is not just a workspace, but also a way of seeing – slow, engaged, and open to what emerges.
Follow Mu.ZEE on Facebook and Instagram for further updates.