Cobra House – from dream to sophisticated meeting place

We all know the appeal that certain buildings can have on us. Whether it are the surroundings, special appearances or architectural elements that make an impact, for many people a building is more than just a place to live or work. This is no different for Maxime Verhulst.

As CEO, he fully stands behind every new build and renovation that bears his company’s name, but there is one building in particular that has attracted him for decades. ‘I regularly cycle through the city, and time and again I was charmed by the beautiful façade and grandeur of the presbytery on the Markgravenlei,’ says Maxime enthusiastically.

When the building was put up for sale, Maxime made it his mission to restore it to its former glory and turn it into a place where people can come together and enjoy themselves in beautiful surroundings. After submitting an extensive file, including pen drawing, the Church Council approved the plans and the craftsmen of Vlassak-Verhulst were set to work to turn this building into a unique meeting place.

Vlassak-Verhulst undertook the restoration and extension with great love and dedication, taking into account the building’s many historical features. ‘It was an exceptional project, as it concerns a listed monument. This entails restrictions, but also offers us, as a construction company, the opportunity to apply our craftsmanship, aesthetics and continuous innovation. “The result is impressive, and we are extremely proud to be part of this fantastic project,” Maxime continues.

The interior design and styling of the restaurant was created by Bram Bosschaert of gestalt architects in close collaboration with the Cobra team, while Siegbert van Reeth carefully transformed the 1,000 m² garden into a dreamy space with room for a wild English garden and a self-sufficient vegetable garden.

Cobra House – a place where aesthetics and design come together

Cobra House is a new initiative from the team behind the Cobra restaurant on the Leopoldplaats in Antwerp. The team’s ambition with Cobra House is to take the next step in their brand development, with the aim of creating not just a restaurant, but an establishment where hospitality, art, inspiration and catering come together.

Both Vlassak-Verhulst and Cobra House attach great importance to exceptional experiences and high-quality finishes. This quickly led to a fruitful collaboration between the two companies. “We are therefore very proud to be part of this community and hope to welcome many business relations to this exceptional place,” adds Maxime.