Set discreetly along Ghent’s historic canals, 1898 Porter’s house marks the quiet transformation of a once-modest service building into an intimate hotel shaped by place, memory, and atmosphere…
Following the acclaimed success of 1898 The Post, Interior Designer – and The Brit List 2026 Finalist – Geraldine Dohogne has been sought out once again to lead the design of this next chapter – an appointment that reflects the enduring resonance of her emotionally driven, materially honest approach to hospitality design.
Image credit: Anthony Van Startum
“1898 Porter’s house is for me much more than designing a hotel – I’m immersing guests into a story, not simply creating a space to accommodate them; it’s a sophisticated space that respects the guests needs and builds a world around them.” Geraldine Dohogne
Previously responsible for the interiors of 1898 The Post, Geraldine Dohogne returns to a building intrinsically linked to its history. The former Porter’s house of the Hôtel des Postes et des Télégraphes, now 1898 The Post, is reimagined not as a replica of the past, but as a living continuation of it, transformed into a deeply personal retreat that honours its origins while speaking unmistakably to the present.
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- Image credit: Anthony Van Startum
“I create emotions, material richness, and a sense of belonging that elevates the hotel into more than a destination but into an experience. Spaces are intimate and personal, playing with subtle layers of history, a rich present and a renewed legacy in the making.” – Geraldine Dohogne
Known for a design language defined by authenticity, restraint, and atmosphere rather than trend, Geraldine draws inspiration from Ghent’s working port and the raw character of the Graslei. Her signature use of permanent, tactile materials – wood, leather, marble, and heavy textiles – forms the backbone of the interiors. These elements are chosen for their ability to age and gain character over time, reinforcing a sense of truth and continuity that has become central to her signature style.
Image credit: Anthony Van Startum
The intimate scale of 1898 Porter’s house allows Geraldine Dohogne’s layered approach to fully unfold. Spaces are proportioned with care, light is treated as a material in its own right, and transitions are gradual – echoing the building’s original role as a place of pause and welcome. A refined yet expressive colour palette, anchored in reds and enriched with undertones of green, blue, and gold, brings depth and warmth without excess, creating interiors that feel immersive, sensual, and quietly sophisticated.
With just four rooms and suites, every detail is considered. Custom-designed furniture responds to the building’s historic constraints, integrating desks, minibars, and storage seamlessly within existing architectural elements. Lighting is layered and adaptable, enabling guests to shape their own atmosphere, while views are framed as moments of experience; whether bathing with sight-lines to Ghent’s clock tower or stepping onto a private terrace overlooking the water.
Image credit: Anthony Van Startum
One of the suites opens onto secluded terraces above the Graslei canal, conceived as extensions of the interiors rather than separate outdoor spaces, whilst the other terrace has a prime view on the clock tower. Naturally shielded by carved stone balustrades, the terraces offer a sense of retreat and calm, functioning as private lounge areas: immersive and discreet, urban yet deeply restful.
Rather than emulate the grandeur of large luxury hotels, 1898 Porter’s house continues Dohogne’s long-held belief that true luxury lies in emotion rather than display. Amenities are fully integrated, never ostentatious, supporting a guesthouselike experience that feels personal, grounded, and authentic. It is an approach that made 1898 The Post so enduringly successful – and one that now finds an even more intimate expression here.
As a reflection of Dohogne’s evolving practice, 1898 Porter’s house reaffirms her commitment to truth, context, and craftsmanship. With her Belgian design roots, her interiors embrace warmth, colour, and sensual layering. The result is a space that grows richer over time – timeless, emotionally resonant, and once that beckons return visits.
Main image credit: Anthony Van Startum
