Cella Restaurant & Bar opens as an urban-chic box-in-box warehouse in vibrant city district in Antwerp

Earlier this week, Cella Restaurant & Bar opened its doors. The new restaurant found its home in a warehouse on Eilandje in Antwerp, known for its collection of hip hotspots along the city's docks. The interior was completely stripped and transformed by Grain Designoffice. With its stylised, industrial character and special eye-catchers such as a sculptural DJ booth, the new restaurant clearly bears the stamp of its creators. Cella further stands for sophisticated lunches and dining in an intimate, cosmopolitan setting overlooking the water and all of Antwerp's major highlights. A must-visit!

This week, Cella Restaurant and Bar has taken up residence in a fully upgraded warehouse next to the Kattendijkdok on the Eilandje in Antwerp, Belgium. The young, vibrant city district along the water has been an epicentre for some years now for all those who love trendy dining and nightlife. Led by chef Christophe De Koninckx, Cella serves refined, international cuisine, while the bar serves customised food and drinks until late in the evening. Every table guest at Cella has a view of the water and the famous landmarks of Antwerp.

At the instigation of the interior designers Grain Designoffice and architect Raf De Backer, the warehouse has been stripped and transformed into an urban-chic restaurant and bar over the past few months. Only the carcass of the warehouse remained, into which the restaurant was then slid like a box-in-box. Thanks to Grain Designoffice, the beams of the warehouse find their visual echo in the concrete arches that introduce much-needed intimacy into the space.

The Belgian interior architects' portfolio is further characterised by powerful combinations of textures and volumes. The fascinating contrast between raw and refined materials is also clearly visible in this project. This is evidenced by the use of blue steel, dark veneer finishes, tactility in upholstery and textiles, a curated selection of high-end design and a lighting plan with art and candlelight create a captivating and balanced restaurant experience. Special eye-catchers are also the sculptural DJ booth and unique design additions such as a statement light fitting in perforated blue steel and the central benches with a natural stone surround.

SAVVY x Grain Designoffice: international press relations.
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Fotografie: Lieven Dirckx