Strategic real estate and housing study for Partena Promeris
Partena Promeris, specialised in managing medical policies, owns a spacious office building in Sint-Agatha-Berchem. Part of the building is used for its own operations and those of a sister company, while another portion is leased to third parties. The organizations using the building have diverse needs, and the building itself is due for renovation. Partena enlisted our services to determine the best course of action for this site.
The client:
Partena Promeris is the umbrella group of organizations such as the Partena Health Fund (now Helan) and specializes in managing medical policies. The group promotes social entrepreneurship and supports the growth of businesses with social and societal value, such as Manufast. This social logistics company operates out of Partena’s buildings in Sint-Agatha-Berchem. Additionally, the group invests through its CAREvolution initiative in innovative solutions to help people live independently at home for as long as possible or better manage their health.
The assignment:
The office building in Sint-Agatha-Berchem consists of several entities and annexes. Part of the space is used by the group for its operations, another by the sister company Manufast, a social logistics company. The rest is leased to third parties. Manufast aims to expand and requires more space, while Partena seeks to reduce its footprint in the building. Meliopus was tasked with identifying the best opportunities and most significant threats for all stakeholders, both in the short and long term.
Our approach:
1/ In-depth analysis of the existing office building
We began the project with a thorough analysis of the existing site. This included a comprehensive SWOT analysis, taking into account the needs and expectations of current users. We also assessed the architectural and technical condition of the building, urban planning possibilities and limitations, and the vision and future plans of the Brussels-Capital Region for this location. This exercise was not done in isolation but was based on site visits, audits, and numerous consultations with all stakeholders.
2/ Proposing future scenarios
Using these analyses, we developed various future scenarios:
- What if Partena sells the entire building?
- What if Partena renovates the entire building and leases it out?
- How much space does Partena require, and how can we optimally design modern office spaces?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different scenarios for Partena?
It became clear that the site is highly valuable: it boasts an excellent geographical location and accessibility, a layout that allows for a logical flow of various activities and transport, and ample storage space. From a real estate perspective, this site holds significant potential that Partena can fully capitalise on.
3/ Strategy with focus on people
For the customized employment company Manufast, we developed a “stay or leave” scenario, supplemented with a market and environmental analysis. For this organization and its employees, accessibility, usability, and workplace comfort are crucial factors. This information provided Manufast with a transparent and realistic view of the budget and planning, enabling well-informed decisions for both the short and long term.
The result:
All scenarios and analyses were clearly presented to stakeholders. Meliopus identified and proposed effective solutions for this real estate challenge. Both Partena and Manufast were very satisfied with the study and proceeded with the plans independently.
Throughout the project, Meliopus demonstrated its expertise by seamlessly combining considerations of real estate and functionality with the human aspect. Because at Meliopus, what we do is also tailored to our clients.
