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HOTREC
Brussels
Hotrec, the voice of European hospitality, is dedicated to representing and championing the interests of the industry at both EU and international levels. Their mission goes beyond mere representation and focuses on fostering knowledge sharing, promoting innovation and acting as a crucial platform for expertise. Recognizing the evolving challenges of sustainability and flexibility within the hospitality industry, Hotrec recently introduced a new facility designed to meet these requirements.
Meraki, charged with this project, developed a dynamic and adaptable environment that embodies these contemporary shifts. The space was thoughtfully designed with a mix of dedicated desks, meeting areas and conference rooms, all meeting the industry’s need for flexibility and sustainability. This design not only meets current requirements, but also anticipates Hotrec’s future growth and adaptation in an industry that is constantly evolving. The new facility reflects Hotrec’s commitment to staying ahead of trends and providing a space that supports the ongoing development of European hospitality.
140 m2
Think, Design & Build
What Hotrec has to say!
Marie Audren, General Director @ Hotrec
The European association Hotrec, which represents the hospitality, restaurant, and café sectors, recently collaborated with Meraki to transform its Brussels offices into a modern workspace suited to the needs of both its members and team.
Under the leadership of Marie Audren, Hotrec’s General Director since 2020, the association saw an opportunity to renew its work environment. “Our offices in Flagey were not meeting our needs, both in terms of location and modernity,” explains Marie. Notably, there was a lack of convivial spaces where members and the team could come together to exchange ideas. Hotrec was also seeking greater proximity to the European Parliament.
The decision was made to move to new offices in the heart of the European Quarter. However, these premises, originally designed for hosting meetings, needed to be rethought and redesigned to become a proper daily workspace.
A trust-based collaboration
After reviewing several offers, Hotrec ultimately chose Meraki to lead the project. This decision was based on several factors, including trust, transparency, and Meraki’s expertise. “There was an element of intuition and trust, and Meraki convinced us with their approach and transparency on costs,” Marie highlights.
The transformation was designed to maximise the use of natural light while creating more collaborative spaces. “We wanted a more convivial space where the team could gather, like a large kitchen and an open-plan area adapted to new working methods.”
Meeting deadlines and staying on budget
One of the major challenges was meeting the set deadlines for a move planned for the summer of 2024, in line with the European institutions’ schedule. Meraki rose to this challenge, completing the work by July 2024, allowing the team to resume work at the start of September. Marie shares, “I was impressed by the speed of the work; everything was done on time despite the technical constraints and custom-made elements.”
Rigorous project management, along with custom materials and constant communication with the Meraki team, ensured smooth delivery. “We had weekly site meetings, and the follow-up was impeccable,” Marie recalls, emphasising the importance of coordination among the different stakeholders.
A modern and functional space
At the office inauguration, both the Hotrec team and their board members were impressed by the modernity and simplicity of the space. Being mostly hoteliers, many board members were particularly struck by the quality of the finishes. “They noted the quality of the materials and finishing details, which is very important in our sector. They saw it was beautiful, modern, understated, and that we had used the budget wisely.”
The new workspace combines aesthetics and functionality. It offers areas conducive to interaction and socialising, while also allowing individuals to work in peace when needed. This balance between collaboration and focus was one of the project’s key successes.
Future outlook
Meraki also demonstrated their availability for post-project adjustments, with Marie concluding happily, “We know that if we have any issues, Meraki is there to support us. This partnership has allowed us to create a space that perfectly meets our current and future needs.”
Thanks to this successful collaboration with Meraki, Hotrec can now thrive in an inspiring and modern work environment, reflecting the association’s dynamic values.
