Firm： Going East

Type： Commercial › Office

STATUS： Built

YEAR： 2016

SIZE： 25,000 sqft - 100,000 sqft

'The renaissance of work'

Thursday, December 15, 2016 — Fosbury & Sons has taken up residence in the WATT-tower in Antwerp, a building by legendary modernist architect Léon Stynen. On the impressive first floor Fosbury & Sons founders Stijn Geeraets and Maarten Van Gool have launched a new and high-quality way of working, 'the renaissance of work', focussing on the needs of today's generation. Fosbury & Sons is an inspiring and professional workplace where entrepreneurs, digital nomads and larger companies come together and benefit from all kinds of additional services. As a member, you will enjoy the comfort of a professional office, with the welcome warmth of your living room, the services and looks of a hotel and the fun of your free time. The impressive 3000 m2 area was decorated by the Antwerp-based architects Going East.

THE RENAISSANCE OF WORK

With Fosbury & Sons, Stijn Geeraets and Maarten Van Gool introduce a new era of working, in cooperation with top entrepreneur Serge Hannecart, CEO of the Antwerp property developer L.I.F.E. Along with L.I.F.E., Fosbury & Sons invested 6 million Euro in 250 new workplaces.

"A shift is lurking in society’s perception of 'working'. This translates into autonomy, commitment and a sense of purpose. 'Time' is our most precious asset. Let’s make our time our own again." - Stijn Geeraets

In addition, this new way of working can partly solve the mobility issue. This way, employees don't have to commute to the head office every day, but they can still work with colleagues in a professional environment.

Fosbury & Sons offers an inspiring answer to that grey office and look-alike work mentality. Collaborations outside the boundaries of companies, literally and figuratively, allow for flexibility and entrepreneurship - with the necessary portion of entertainment.

Let's bring work to life

Fosbury & Sons provides the working man and woman with tools to better juggle their work-life balance. Useful professional services, educational lectures and fun events raise your quality of life during or after work. A quality work environment that inspires both before, during and after work.

As a member, you will enjoy the comfort of a professional office, with the welcome warmth of your living room, the services and looks of a hotel and the fun of your free time.

"With Fosbury & Sons, we want to meet the needs of today's generation. Today's employee or freelancer wants a perfect work-life balance. With us, he will find a professional work place including useful services that will raise the quality of his (working) life." - Maarten Van Gool.

Humanity

Fosbury & Sons wants to bring fun and life to work and encourages collaborations across the boundaries of businesses. Both freelancers, business nomads and employees of small and large businesses are welcome. They want to address different sectors, within and outside of Antwerp. Thus, people can cooperate in establishing a strong and valuable network.

"Employees of companies from other cities can also get space at Fosbury & Sons so they can work in a professional environment in their home town. This way, we want to join forces and create a cross-pollination in the Antwerp business world." - Stijn Geeraets.

UILDING & INTERIOR

Fosbury & Sons offers 3000 m2 of creative energy on the first floor of

the WATT Tower. The impressive plateau is supported by concrete columns and the 6 meter high windows overlook the King Albert park landscape. The entire building was built in 1958 by the legendary Belgian architect Léon Stynen.

The pioneering Antwerp design office, Going East, founded by interior designers Anaïs Torfs and Michiel Mertens, turned the creative hub into a professional interior with a mature appearance. The interiors of the recently re- opened gourmet restaurant Veranda and the traditional bakery Konditori, are examples of Going East projects.

"We create a unique setting per project. We love a mix between old and new, by using natural materials in combination with an ethnic touch. There is a lot of customization in Fosbury & Sons in particular. Customizing often also means experimenting. The bar for instance is built completely of 100% recycled bricks and fibreglass." - Anaïs Torfs.

The interior of Fosbury & Sons intends to leave you with a kind of High Line (New York) - like feeling. When walking around at Fosbury & Sons, you can take different types of walks and discover something new each time. A new route, a new bit of space. Going East focused on that greatness and breathing space to avoid the typical feeling of a classic office.

"Here you can pause at the bar during a “walk", work at the plants, sit in the library, lie down in the Aster seat, enjoy the view on the steps... That freedom is important." - Anaïs Torfs

The rooms and walls are decorated with art in collaboration with the Antwerp-based PLUS-ONE gallery, Sofie Van De Velde and Brussels- based gallery Veerle Verbakel. They are also curating and rotating the art. In addition, there is a permanent private collection of Serge Hannecart, ranging from the art of Damien Hirst and Fabre to vintage furniture.