Extraordinary coworking spaces in Brussels

You used to see only business people or freelancers in these kinds of places. But nowadays, hybrid work is the norm. Anyone looking for a change of scenery between home, the office and being on the road will find a shared workspace in Brussels that suits them. From satellite offices on the outskirts to the trendiest flexible workspaces in the city.

They come in all shapes and sizes and their numbers are growing fast, especially in Brussels. Small, local coworking spaces have now been joined by larger, national and international players. You usually pay a fixed daily, weekly or monthly rate, often supplemented by an (annual) membership fee. As a rough guide, expect to pay around €250 a month for a flexible workspace and €400 a month for a private office, not including additional services.

Wi-Fi, a printer, a meeting room, good coffee and good company are all part of the basic package. But many spaces offer more. How about, for example, 24/7 access to various co-working spaces across Europe, sports facilities or a nap room? Or free legal and financial advice for your start-up? Here's our selection of the capital's wide range of flexible office infrastructure. 

Shared workplaces are often situated in unique locations and comfortably equipped with trendy looks. Would you like to receive your business contacts in a luxurious setting, or are you looking for an inspiring space that will push your productivity to unprecedented heights? Set up your laptop in the former headquarters of the CBR cement company. This modernist gem was designed by architectural duo Constantin Brodzki and Marcel Lambrichs. There are private offices as well as meeting rooms, a library, a lobby and a bar. The site covers more than 7,000m² of workspace, with about six hundred available spaces. Some nice perks include a restaurant, a gym and showers.  And if you’re just starting out in your career, the 20s discount makes your membership much more affordable.

Office space in the European Quarter is hugely expensive. Still want to set up your business near the European institutions and their stakeholders? Then coworking spaces are the way to pierce that European real-estate bubble. SilverSquare Europe on Square de Meeûs has capacity for 172 people. Just a few minutes' walk from Brussels-Schuman station and the European Parliament, this coworking spot is in the heart of the European Quarter. The interior was designed by award-winning Brussels interior designer Stéphane Caporusso. A flex spot here will cost you €250 per month, a private office for one person €475. Are you only in Brussels for a few meetings? SilverSquare also offers day passes. 

No time to commute to the office in the centre of Brussels, or just don’t feel like it? You're not alone. In addition to a better work-life balance, commuting distance is one of the major drivers behind remote working. This makes sense, because by skipping annoying traffic jams, you save time and reduce stress and sick leave. Flex space provider Regus quickly caught on to this trend and is increasingly focusing on flexible office space in suburbs and provincial cities.

Regus Brussels West Basilix is located near the E40 motorway exit, on a major thoroughfare to the city centre and close to Brussels’ Ring Road. In addition, the site is well-served by public transport. Berchem-Sainte-Agathe station is only a three-minute walk away. No frills at this flex space in the Bridge building, but solid and functional spaces with all the necessary amenities.

Fancy a break? Just across from avenue Charles Quint lies the Zavelenberg nature reserve. Here you can enjoy a picnic with a view of the sheep included. And for a top-notch sandwich: butcher Geert Vermeire is a stone's throw away.

Norrsken House Brussels is a co-working space for entrepreneurs and organisations focused on sustainability and innovation. The aim? To bring together European leaders in sustainable technology, entrepreneurship and social impact. The building itself is perfectly suited to this: energy-efficient and modern, right in the heart of the European Quarter and close to the metro, train and cycle paths. You have 24/7 access, and there’s a garden, a terrace and something fun to do every week.

Le Phare du Kanaal is one of the most sociable coworking spaces in Brussels. Upstairs, you’ll find flex offices as well as permanent workstations and meeting rooms. In the afternoon, you can head downstairs for a healthy lunch or one of their irresistible cookies. The coworking space is right next to the canal and is easily accessible by bicycle and public transport. 

Palazzo is a shared workplace for creative freelancers in bustling Saint-Gilles. This converted garage offers 500m² of workspace for trendy professionals. The music studios and artist studios you can rent here are unique. They also have 25 shared and twelve permanent workstations, along with meeting and event rooms. Palazzo also hosts concerts, workshops and other events.

Internationally, pioneers for ladies-only workspaces such as The Wing (now part of the International Workplace Group) and The Assembly had to close their doors, but that doesn’t mean that the demand for exclusively female (shared) workplaces has diminished! Brussels has three coworking spaces that are exclusively for women. Womanly (Watermael-Boitsfort), Womade (Brussels) and The Urban Women (Saint-Gilles) are more than just Instagram-worthy workplaces in various pastel hues where make-up bags and babies are welcome. Female members can also access coaching, training, workshops and various networking opportunities with the other entrepreneurial women who use the spaces.

About ten years ago, HR service provider Securex converted a section of an office on Cours Saint Michel into a co-working space. This was how Hive5 came into being. Their first location (around 1,200m²) offers a mix of co-working spaces, meeting rooms and private offices in a warm, modern setting. An added bonus: a fully-equipped video and podcast studio. Less than a five-minute walk away is a second Hive5 location offering 800m² of flexible workspaces and meeting rooms. It’s ideally situated, close to Cinquantenaire Park and the European Quarter. The sense of community is a key feature of the concept. As a member, you can easily get to know people through events. The facilities are excellent, including showers, a cafeteria, parking and shared spaces that have been thoughtfully designed. Still not sure? You can come and try it out for a day free of charge before you decide.