Offices for rent or sale in Flanders: The guide to your ideal business location
Searching for a new office in Flanders is about more than just comparing square metres; it is a strategic choice that defines the future of your company. Whether you are looking for a vibrant city centre location to attract young talent, or a strategically located office building along the motorway for optimal car accessibility, the Flemish office market offers diverse possibilities. On Propertyweb.be, you will find the most complete range of commercial real estate, from flexible workspaces to impressive headquarters. In this article, we navigate you through the most popular regions, current rental prices, and the crucial points to consider when making your choice.
The Hotspots: Where to establish your office in Flanders?
Location remains the decisive factor for both accessibility and corporate image. Antwerp undeniably profiles itself as the economic engine of the region. Renting an office in Antwerp means choosing diversity. Companies looking for atmosphere and creativity will find what they need in "Het Eilandje" or the historic centre. Organizations that prioritize mobility tend to look at the zones around Berchem and the Singel, close to the Antwerp-Berchem train station and the Ring road. For offices in prime locations (Prime Rents) in Antwerp, you should expect an average rental price between €185 and €200 per m²/year, depending on the level of finishing and sustainability.
In addition, Ghent is a strong challenger, driven by innovation and technology. Office space in Ghent is particularly popular with companies in the IT and biotech sectors, partly thanks to the proximity of the university and the strategic intersection of the E17 and E40 motorways. Prices for new-build offices in Ghent and its surroundings (such as The Loop or Tech Lane) usually lie around €175 to €190 per m²/year. Those who want to be even more central relative to Brussels and the airport often end up in the Flemish Periphery (Vlaamse Rand) or Mechelen. Mechelen is on the rise as a location for corporate housing due to its central position between Antwerp and Brussels, with competitive rental prices often varying between €165 and €190 per m²/year for new-build offices.
From flex-working to headquarters: Which contract type suits you?
The real estate market has changed drastically in recent years, and the choice of contract type depends heavily on your growth phase. For start-ups and rapid growers (scale-ups), an incubator is often the ideal starting point. Here, you don't just rent an office, but enter an ecosystem with mentors and investors. If you are primarily looking for flexibility without heavy investments, coworking spaces and serviced offices are a solution, where you pay for service and usage without long-term obligations.
When your company needs its own identity and a stable base, renting a private office remains the norm. These lease agreements usually fall under common law, which provides the necessary contractual freedom. Although the lease term is in principle free to determine, in practice, multiples of three years are often used, such as the well-known 3-6-9 structure. This is also where there is room for negotiation: those who commit to a longer fixed term are in a stronger position to discuss commercial concessions. Think of rent-free periods or a financial contribution from the owner towards fit-out costs.
For established names and capital-rich companies, buying commercial real estate can be strategically interesting. You build your real estate portfolio within the company and avoid the annual indexation of rental prices, which yields a financial advantage in the long term. The disadvantage, however, is limited flexibility; for fast-growing companies that find it difficult to predict their spatial needs, buying can put a brake on future mobility.
Facilities and advice: Get more out of your viewing
In the current "War for Talent," an office must be more than just a workplace; it is an asset for attracting employees. Because the specifications of modern buildings can be complex, we advise not to rely solely on online information, but to switch directly to the expert on site. For every property on Propertyweb.be, you will find the details of the responsible CBRE consultant or broker. They know the file through and through.
Ask your contact person specifically about mobility. Do not be blinded by the number of parking spaces in the description, but ask about real accessibility by public transport, the proximity of cycle highways, and the presence of charging stations. The consultant is also your best source regarding ESG and sustainability. The legally required energy label (EPC) can of course be found on the webpage, but it pays to ask further. Is the building ready for the future with, for example, a BREEAM certification or geothermal heat pumps? This has a direct impact on your operational costs and your image.
Finally, the layout and fit-out are of crucial importance. Photos often only show the current state or an empty shell. However, your broker can advise you perfectly on the potential of the space, whether you choose an open landscape layout, enclosed focus rooms, or a hybrid environment. Do you doubt whether all your employees will fit in the building? Ask the consultant about the possibilities for a test-fit. This allows you to see in black and white how many workstations are realizable. Be sure to discuss the conditions for this with the broker; a professional test-fit is a valuable service that can save you a lot of uncertainty.
Ready to find your new business location? View the current offer directly on Propertyweb.be and contact the listed advisor for a personal explanation.
