GRANADA Gallery, internationally renowned for its exceptional collections of fossils, minerals, coloured gemstones and contemporary art, proudly announces the opening of its newest gallery on the Oosteroever in Ostend. This remarkable location joins the brand’s established spaces in Tucson (Arizona), Antwerp, Lanaken and Genk, marking a new chapter in the gallery’s evolving global story.
Text Anja Van Der Borght
The decision to anchor this new gallery in Ostend is both bold and deliberate. “Choosing Ostend may not be the obvious choice, but it’s a conscious one,” explains Jochen Leen, jewellery artist and partner at GRANADA Gallery. “The Oosteroever is a recently developed, steadily growing district that offers us the space and serenity to tell our story in a truly distinctive way. We prefer niche, quiet locations where time can do its work, rather than crowded hotspots like Knokke. Here, in an organically developing environment, our vision flourishes best – an exclusive setting where natural history, design and luxury flow seamlessly together.”
Our favourite piece in the Granada Gallery was this coffee table made from fossilised scallops from the Champagne region.
The gallery finds its home within the iconic building developed by Bart Versluys, destined to become a cultural focal point on the Belgian coast. It is conceived as a place where collectors, art devotees and design enthusiasts can immerse themselves in an environment that celebrates both the grandeur of the Earth’s past and the creativity of today’s artistic minds.
A Journey Through Millions of Years
GRANADA Gallery invites visitors to awaken their “inner explorer.” The new space is designed as a refined meeting point between scientific precision and artistic emotion. Visitors can discover dinosaur fossils shaped over millions of years, meteorites born from the cosmos, rare coloured gemstones of extraordinary purity, and contemporary art pieces that reinterpret nature’s splendour. Each object – whether a fragment of prehistoric life or a meticulously crafted artwork – embodies a narrative of wonder, beauty, and the fragile poetry of our planet. “With this new location, we bring the magnificence of natural history and the awe of deep time to the Belgian coastline,” says Jochen Leen. “Our aim is to inspire, to surprise, and to create a space where art, science and luxury coexist.”
An International Platform with a Belgian Signature
Founded in 2015 in Tucson, the global epicentre of gemstone, mineral and fossil fairs, GRANADA Gallery quickly became synonymous with authenticity, rarity and curated excellence. Its collections span geological treasures, natural history artefacts, jewellery and contemporary design. In 2019, GRANADA Gallery began an influential collaboration with Belgian jewellery designer Jochen Leen, celebrated for his masterful creations using rare coloured gemstones. Revered worldwide, Leen bridges the worlds of science, art and luxury with an unmistakable signature. His partnership reinforced GRANADA Gallery’s presence in Belgium, leading to acclaimed showcases within prestigious hospitality locations — and now culminating in a dedicated gallery on the Ostend waterfront.
An Experience for All Audiences
The Ostend gallery is not conceived as a traditional art space but as an immersive experience. Thoughtfully curated, it invites visitors to explore a world shaped by millions of years of evolution. Collectors, enthusiasts, families and curious passersby are all welcomed into an environment that unites education with aesthetic refinement. Whether one seeks scientific insight, artistic inspiration or simply a moment of quiet admiration, the gallery promises a transformative encounter with the wonders of Earth’s natural heritage.
Address:
GRANADA Gallery Oosteroever
Hendrik Baelskaai 3
8400 Ostend – Belgium
Opening hours:
Friday & Saturday – 10:00 to 18:00
Hours may vary. Please consult the website or contact the gallery prior to your visit.
Other GRANADA locations:
– GRANADA Studios – Leopoldstraat 26, 2000 Antwerp
– GRANADA Botanic Shop – Leopoldstraat 26, 2000 Antwerp
– Hotel La Butte aux Bois – Paalsteenlaan 90, 3620 Lanaken
– Hotel Stiemerheide – Wiemesmeerstraat 105, 3600 Genk
– GRANADA Ostend – Hendrik Baelskaai 3, 8400 Ostend
