Where guests once primarily thought about “location, location, location,” they have many more demands in 2024. From greater comfort and luxury to sustainable and historic experiences and even stays in technologically advanced settings. As a construction partner, it’s a challenge to excel in these different aspects or even seamlessly connect these requirements. With hotels like The Usual, Van der Valk, The Hoxton and the Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels in our portfolio, we know better than anyone how to optimally deploy our expertise. Michel Weijters and Philippe Peters, project directors at Group Jansen, and Sarai Bervoets, CCO at Group Jansen, are happy to share more about our integrated approach in the hotel sector.
Welcoming the Usual
Both in Antwerp and Brussels, The Usual has renovations carried out by Group Jansen. The work in Brussels has now been successfully completed. The Usual in Brussels is an innovative hospitality concept with an eye for comfort, well-being, and enjoyment. A hybrid design hotel that lets guests experience new cities in a more responsible way. From meeting rooms, coworking spaces, a mind gym to a striking terrace in the beautiful setting of Adolphe Max Avenue: every detail has been thought through! Group Jansen is known as a thinker. But also as a doer. So… say hello to next-level hospitality!
Philippe Peters says: “In an era of growing environmental awareness, sustainability is crucial in the construction sector, and hotels are no exception. Think of green roofs, solar energy, and water-saving technologies. Sustainable hotels are not only environmentally friendly but also offer a unique experience for guests who value responsible travel. At The Usual, we have integrated sustainability into our design & build project, from drywall work to solar panels and the reuse of recycled furniture. We also helped them achieve a BREEAM certificate. Every Brussels hotel guest now enjoys a stay where quality, luxury, and ecology go hand in hand. We are also building a similar story in Antwerp.”
Luxurious Corinthia Grand Astoria Hotel
One of the most exciting projects for Group Jansen is the Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels. This monumental building from 1909, originally built for the 1910 World Expo, has welcomed numerous kings, dignitaries and celebrities over the years. Corinthia Hotels wants to breathe new life into the former Astoria as a luxury hotel. For the renovation and restoration, they are working together with architectural firm Francis Metzger, Group Jansen and Herpain. Currently, the finishing touches are being put on 126 bedrooms and suites, exclusive private dining facilities, swimming pools and wellness facilities.
Sarai Bervoets: “For Group Jansen, this is a unique opportunity. There are few projects of this scale. Within our temporary collaboration with Herpain, we handle structural work, facade restoration, roofing, special techniques and the complete high-end interior design, including built-in furniture, marble elements, carpets and moldings. In short: an impressive challenge.”
Smart Van Der Valk
There are not many pioneers in the field of smart buildings in the hotel sector. Sarai Bervoets explains: “Group Van der Valk dares to go against the tide. For their location in Ghent, they choose the latest technologies to enhance their guests’ stay. In other words, you book a smart room with control over lighting, ventilation, and temperature regulation. This approach ensures that every guest enjoys an optimal indoor climate in the most sustainable way. Within this project, we have fulfilled various roles: as a general contractor, specializing in interior finishing and techniques, we have completed a shell building from A to Z. We also integrated climate ceilings and remain responsible for data capturing and analysis, allowing this hotel to focus on optimal comfort with minimal energy consumption.”
Trendy the Hoxton Brussels
For a third hotel project, we settle in the former Victoria Regina Tower. Besides the underground parking for Indigo and offices for media giant WPP, The Hoxton Brussels was also a challenge for project director Michel Weijters and his team. “The tower was completely stripped, only the skeleton was preserved. Jansen Building Projects handled the structural modifications and was responsible for the complete interior finishing. Floors, walls, ceilings, joinery, everything was finished according to The Hoxton’s high standards. For facades, technical systems, elevators, access control and furniture, we coordinated the subcontractors. The end result? A hip and modern hotel with 198 rooms, a double-height lobby, bar and restaurant, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views over Brussels.”
