From 350 m² to 115 m²: how Concilius saved over €90,000 per year on their offices in the European Quarter.

When work modes evolve, commercial real estate must adapt. This is exactly the situation faced by Concilius, located on Avenue de Cortenbergh in Brussels, in a space of nearly 350 m² that has become too large and too costly for its actual needs.

Whether it is coworking in Brussels or a private office, finding the right space at the right price in the European Quarter remains a complex task without expert support.

This mandate concretely illustrates what Mesh-immo brings: not just finding a property, but understanding an organization, analyzing its actual needs, and supporting every step until the keys are handed over.

The Context: A Space That No Longer Reflected the Reality on the Ground

Concilius occupied an area of ±350 m² on Avenue de Cortenbergh, right in the heart of the European Quarter of Brussels. A strategic location, but a space designed for a different time, one before the widespread adoption of hybrid work.

Like many companies in Brussels, Concilius had seen its working habits evolve profoundly.

Teams are no longer all present simultaneously. The office has become a place for targeted collaboration and representation, rather than a systematic daily presence for all employees.

The direct consequence: underutilized square meters, disproportionate fixed costs, and an occupancy cost that weighed on the organization without providing proportional value.

It is in this context that Concilius began searching for new offices to rent in the European Quarter or a coworking space in Brussels close to the European Commission, with a clear priority: to significantly reduce costs while remaining strategically well located.

Based on an estimated rent of 320 €/m²/year for their previous space, the occupancy cost amounted to approximately 9,300 €/month excluding charges.

The Criteria Defined with the Client

Before searching for anything, we took the time to understand what Concilius really needed.

This step is non-negotiable at Mesh-immo: it conditions the quality of the final result.

The criteria agreed upon together:

• Significant reduction of space to align costs with actual usage,

• Proximity to the European Parliament, a strategic criterion related to Concilius's activities,

• Multimodal accessibility: car, public transport, soft mobility,

• Adapted configuration: an open space for collaboration, 2 to 3 closed offices for focused work and meetings,

• Private parking space,

• Local archive, often overlooked in searches, but essential here,

• Controlled budget, significantly lower than the previous occupancy cost.

The solution found: an exclusive space in the European Quarter

Thanks to our exclusive mandate contract for a space in the European Quarter, we were able to offer Concilius a property that was not accessible through traditional real estate portals.

In the market for office rentals in Brussels, and more specifically in the European Quarter, off-market opportunities remain rare and are only accessible through a strong network.

Characteristics of the selected space :

• Total area: ±115 m²,

• 75 m² open space, bright and flexible, designed for collaborative workdays,

• 3 very bright closed offices, for focused work, small meetings, and client receptions

• 1 private parking space included,

• Dedicated archive room,

• Rent: €1,650/month excluding charges, or approximately €172/m²/year,

• Location: European Quarter, in immediate proximity to the European Parliament and major transport routes.

Cost savings: over €90,000 per year

	Before (Cortenbergh)	After (Quartier Européen)
Area	±350 m²	±115 m²
Estimated rent	±9 300 €/mois HC	1 650 €/mois HC
Estimated annual cost	±112 000 €/an	19 800 €/year
Savings Achieved		±92 000 €/year

The previous rent is estimated based on €320/m²/year, the market reference price for this type of space in the European Quarter.

By downsizing from 350 m² to 115 m², Concilius has reduced its occupancy cost by over 82% while maintaining a strategic address, a quality working environment, and all the functionalities its teams need on a daily basis.

Our Support: From Audit to Key Handover

What sets Mesh-immo apart from a traditional real estate agent is the extent of our support. For the Concilius project, we managed the entire process.

This is precisely the role of a office finder in Brussels : to intervene at the outset, structure the search, and secure each step until the signing.

1. Needs Audit: In-depth analysis of actual usage: frequency of presence, necessary configurations, operational and budgetary constraints.

2. Search and Identification of Space: Access to off-market opportunities through our exclusive mandates. The selected space was not available on public portals.

3. Landlord/Tenant Connection: Organization and coordination of exchanges between both parties, in a professional and structured framework.

4. Tenant Dossier Preparation: Compilation and verification of all required documents to maximize the credibility of the dossier with the owner.

5. Negotiation of Terms: Defending the tenant's interests regarding rent, entry conditions, and contractual clauses, while maintaining a trusting relationship with the landlord.

6. Lease Contract Drafting: Complete drafting of the contract, ensuring the protection of both parties and the clarity of mutual commitments.

7. Entry Condition Report: Execution and formalization of the entry condition report, to secure both landlord and tenant from day one.

What This Mandate Illustrates About the Mesh-immo Approach

The Concilius project is not an isolated case. It reflects a reality we regularly observe in the Brussels market: many companies occupy spaces that are unsuitable for their current usage, due to a lack of time spent questioning their needs.

Our added value does not lie in the size of our address book, but in the rigor of the prior analysis and the ability to support each step without leaving the client alone in the face of administrative and contractual complexity.

Our expertise in commercial real estate in Brussels allows us to intervene on all types of mandates, both for tenants and owners, with the same rigor and transparency.

At Mesh-immo, we work in the interest of the client company. This positioning as an independent office finder enables us to guarantee measurable results.

Are You in a Similar Situation?

Is your current space too large for your actual usage? Do your real estate costs no longer reflect your organization? Are you looking for an office in the European Quarter or elsewhere in Brussels, with complete support from A to Z?

Mesh-immo conducts a free audit of your needs in 30 minutes. We analyze your situation, identify the ideal space, and manage the entire process on your behalf, from the search to the signing of the contract.

Request my free audit

FAQ: Offices and Flexible Spaces in Brussels

How much does an office in the European Quarter of Brussels cost in 2026?

Rents range from €280 to €400/m²/year depending on the quality of the building and the included services. For comparison, Mesh-immo secured a space of 115 m² for Concilius at €172/m²/year, well below market prices.

How can I tell if my office space is too large?

If less than 60% of your desks are occupied on average throughout the week, your space is likely oversized. Mesh-immo conducts a free audit to identify your optimal space before any search.

What is an office hunter?

At Mesh-immo, we operate on both sides of the transaction depending on the mandate given. For a tenant, we analyze needs, access off-market properties, and negotiate terms in their best interest. For a landlord, we identify qualified tenants and secure the leasing process. In both cases, transparency about our role is complete from the start.

What are the hidden costs of renting an office in Brussels?

Rental charges (€35 to €70/m²/year), property tax, and fit-out costs are often underestimated. In managed spaces, meeting rooms are frequently charged outside the base package.

Classic lease or flexible office: what to choose?

The classic lease is more economical in the long term but commits for 3 to 9 years. The flexible office offers immediate availability and a notice period of 1 to 3 months, ideal for growing teams or those in transition.

How long does it take to find an office in Brussels?

With professional assistance, expect 4 to 8 weeks for a managed space and 8 to 16 weeks for a classic lease. Without assistance, this timeframe can easily double.