DesignAsia
Amsterdam/Antwerp, 9 September 2025 – Amsterdam-based interior architects Heinzel De Vries
have unveiled the design for the new Et Claire viennoiserie on Oudaan in the heart of Antwerp.
Following the successful launch in Amsterdam in 2022, this second venue introduces the same
luxurious all-day concept, this second location brings the same luxurious all-day concept – refined
viennoiserie, champagne, fine wines and light aperitifs – to a Belgian audience.
Layered details echo laminated dough
The striking façade with butter-yellow awnings and terrace announces the world of warmth and indulgence within. Inside, the space is awash in a warm, buttery yellow that playfully nods to French butter, the key ingredient in every pastry. At the centre stands an éclair-shaped counter, setting the tone from the moment guests arrive. This idea of layering, drawn from laminated dough, repeats everywhere: in the gleaming brass bar that mirrors each delicate fold, in the custom paneling and even in the furniture in the restrooms.
Beyond layering, the design embraces soft, feminine forms. Bespoke couches upholstered in velvety yellow, trimmed with refined piping, curve around onyx-topped tables and counters. Silk and brass wall lamps diffuse a soft glow across tinted mirrors, while a natural-stone mosaic floor anchors the scheme in understated luxury. An open kitchen at the rear keeps the craft of pâtisserie on display as dough is rolled and layered before your eyes. Alongside signature viennoiserie classics – such as air-light croissants, artisanal savoury bakes and seasonal puff-pastry creations – guests can choose from a curated selection of champagnes and exceptional wines for a truly refined culinary experience.
“Designing Et Claire Antwerp was an invitation to translate the poetry of pastry into spatial experience. We focused on warmth, luxury and a compelling journey, where every layer and curve was conceived to tempt the senses.”
– Tinka Heinzel and Barbara de Vries
This project reaffirms Heinzel De Vries’ reputation for storytelling through design, blending bold materials and refined forms with exceptional hospitality. Their versatile portfolio includes the Efteling Grand Hotel, Hotel de Blanke Top, Dutch Museum Association headquarters and Et Claire Amsterdam.
About Heinzel De Vries
Heinzel De Vries is an Amsterdam-based interior architecture studio founded in 2020 by Tinka Heinzel and Barbara de Vries. With over thirty years of experience and a shared passion for design, they create functional, refined spaces with a strong aesthetic sensibility. Their portfolio spans hotels, restaurants, museums, retail, offices, and residential projects. Each design is tailored to reflect the unique identity of the client. The studio’s style is elegant and timeless, with previous projects including Efteling Grand Hotel, Hotel de Blanke Top, Boutique Hotel Weesp, and Et Claire in Amsterdam and Antwerp.
About Et Claire
Et Claire is a luxurious French-inspired viennoiserie concept launched in Amsterdam in 2022. Celebrated for its signature airy croissant made with real French butter, the brand offers artisanal pastries, specialty coffee, wine and champagne in a warm, design-led setting. The Antwerp location marks its first international expansion. Et Claire Café, Antwerp’s newest coffee destination at Schuttershofstraat, will open its doors in October 2025.
Photography: Chantal Arnts
