# Converted Church Bookstores The Boekhandel Seleyz Dominicanen is a Dazzling Literature Display By Shelby Lee Walsh | Published 2009-08-28 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boekhandel-seleyz-dominicanen References: [notcot.org](http://www.notcot.org/post/24473/) & [thecoolist](http://www.thecoolist.com/the-most-beautiful-bookstore-in-the-world/) What's the best way to beautify books? In Maastricht, the Boekhandel Selexyz Dominicanen was once a gorgeous historical Dominican church and is now home to thousands of books. The old church lives on, thanks to Merkx and Girod Architects, who gave the classic building a chance to be enjoyed for many more years. Take a look through the gallery above to see one of the most scenic places literature has called home. **Implications** - Businesses that offer their clients a unique or unusual experience that accompanies their products will certainly attract a larger audience. Consumers will distinguish a company that behaves this way as more memorable than its competitors. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 67% | Activity: 46% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Converted Church Bookstores:** Opportunity for businesses to repurpose historic buildings, such as churches, into unique bookstores to create a memorable and immersive experience for customers. - **Beautifying Books:** Opportunity for companies to focus on enhancing the visual aesthetics of books, creating more visually stunning and attractive products. - **Unique Experiences:** Opportunity for businesses to offer customers a distinctive and memorable experience, beyond just selling products, to stand out from competitors. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture and Design:** Opportunity for architecture firms to specialize in repurposing historic buildings into unique spaces, such as bookstores, requiring a balance between preservation and functionality. - **Publishing and Printing:** Opportunity for publishers and printing companies to invest in creating visually appealing books with high-quality designs and aesthetics to attract readers. - **Hospitality and Tourism:** Opportunity for the hospitality industry to incorporate unique bookstores, like converted churches, as tourist attractions and destinations to enhance the overall travel experience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Floating Wetland Bookstore](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xixi-goldmye-bookstore.md) - [Historic Academy Spatial Bookstores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weishan-chongzheng-academy-bookstore.md) - [Elegant Grocery Shopping Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superhub.md) - [Book Pile Retail Decor](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aesop-store-1.md) - [Shanghai Scented Bookstores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scented-bookstore.md) - [Book-Themed Bar Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/book-bar-toronto.md) - [Bookstore Wine Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bookstore-wine-shops.md) - [Angular Church Matte Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/red-church.md) - [Open-Air Libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-billyotheque.md)