CBRE Belgium’s Workspace department was commissioned by pharmaceutical giant Boehringer Ingelheim to relocate its offices and fit out 1,200m2 of new workspace on the 2nd floor of Triomphe, a superb building ideally located in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert. CBRE asked Alternativ to supply the office furniture, and is delighted with the open collaboration. 

Pharmaceutical giant Boehringer Ingelheim asked the Workspace department of commercial real estate consultancy CBRE Belgium, to manage their relocation and fit out new offices on the 2nd floor of Triomphe, a superb glass building perfectly located outside Brussels city centre. The building belongs to Befimmo, a “real estate company with which we have always had an excellent relationship”, according to Lionel Andries.  

Andries, Head of Workspace at CBRE, is convinced that the work environment is symbolic of the company’s values. The Boehringer Ingelheim project was carried out by a close-knit team of CBRE professionals: Grégoire Dumont de Chassart, architect and Senior Project Manager, Katrien Coppieters, interior designer, and Alexandre Nobels, engineer and PM, all coordinated by Lionel Andries. Grégoire Dumont de Chassart worked together with Neetha Senanayake, Project Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim. The collaboration was productive! So much for the introductions. 

“Covid-19 forced us to adapt the schedule and postpone delivery for 2 months. We took advantage of the confinement period to validate all the design elements and the finishes of the project. But as soon as lockdown ended, the construction site could be launched…” 

CBRE was commissioned to deliver a layout defined by Boehringer Ingelheim’s architects. “Our task was to interpret it, taking into account the practicalities of the premises, the lighting, the sunlight, the ergonomics of the space and, above all, the technical feasibility of the brief, in order to deliver a turnkey project to the client. The project was underpinned by a definitive budget and a strict schedule!” continues Andries. “Covid-19 forced us to adapt the schedule and postpone delivery for 2 months. We took advantage of the confinement period to validate all the design elements and the finishes of the project. But as soon as lockdown ended, the construction site could be launched…”  

A change of style!

CBRE oversaw the move and carried out the fitting-out for the project of 1,200m2 of office space. “The client had been in a very modular work environment and wanted space that was more adapted to agile methods, including well-defined work areas that would be based on specific tasks.”  

It was as a supplier of Steelcase furniture that Alternativ came into contact with CBRE. Boehringer Ingelheim having a framework contract with the furniture brand and having defined a certain number of requirements in terms of the ergonomics of the furniture during the briefing, we had to respect them. Working together with Alternativ enabled us to reach them.   

Lionel Andries is delighted with this “hand in hand” collaboration with all involved, and the client is obviously very satisfied (“we have received all sorts of positive feedback!”), as is Befimmo, and Alternativ for the furniture aspect. “The order was delivered without error and on schedule. We appreciated this extremely healthy relationship, and we are carrying out other projects together…”, concludes the CBRE’s Head of Workspace enthusiastically.