Brokerage beyond retail
CEUSTERS leads Ghent’s mixed-use revival with Sparkx
With the arrival of Sparkx — an immersive indoor sportainment concept offering more than 50 disciplines under one roof — the Ouverture building in Ghent is being opened as a vibrant, hybrid destination. For CEUSTERS, the deal represents much more than a retail transaction. It showcases the agency’s ability to align ambitious occupiers with complex real estate products, while navigating technical, financial and spatial challenges. As mixed-use continues to gain ground, CEUSTERS confirms its role as a future-focused, one-stop real estate advisor.
Introducing Sparkx: redefining indoor leisure in Europe
Sparkx positions itself as Europe’s largest indoor multisport park, blending physical sports with interactive technologies. Think wall climbing, ski simulators, cliff jumping, VR racing, F1 cockpits, trampoline zones and even indoor skydiving simulators — all designed to deliver a high-energy, all-ages experience. The brand operates under a “phygital” model, combining physical movement with immersive tech to attract families, schools, youth organisations and companies. Following the success of its first park in Hasselt, Sparkx chose Ghent as the next step in its Belgian expansion, with plans for additional venues in Antwerp, Liège and beyond.
From concept to transaction: CEUSTERS drives the deal
“It’s a dossier with a long history,” explains Laurens Coart, Head of Retail Agency at CEUSTERS. “I first assessed the site back in 2017. To return now and close a flagship lease is not only professionally rewarding, it speaks to CEUSTERS’ continuity and expertise.”
The Sparkx lease covers approximately 4,800 sqm across two floors, plus 450 sqm of outdoor terrace and private parking spaces — a rare scale for leisure uses in urban Belgium. Technical demands were high: ceiling heights up to 12 metres for certain attractions, structural adaptations, and timing constraints due to the building being under construction during negotiations.
“Engineering-wise, this wasn’t a plug-and-play scenario,” Laurens adds.
“At one point, structural floor plates had to be retrofitted at Sparkx’ request. It was a true test of flexibility from all sides.”
Nevertheless, CEUSTERS secured a lease, demonstrating both the tenant’s belief and the project’s locational strength at the junction of the E17 and E40 motorways.
A model for the future of mixed-use
The Sparkx deal reflects a broader market shift: the integration of leisure, retail and offices into multi-functional destinations. CEUSTERS actively supports this evolution by identifying new occupier models and ensuring they land in the right spatial context.
“This isn’t just a leasing story.”
“This isn’t just a leasing story,” says Laurens. “It’s about bringing new life into underutilised assets. Sparkx is a destination brand and precisely the kind of user we see gaining relevance across Belgium.” The collaboration was not based on an exclusive mandate, but grew out of trust and market proximity. “Sparkx came to us for guidance,” Laurens notes. “And through network, agility and vision, we delivered.”
Scaling impact across markets
With further expansion on the table, Sparkx is actively exploring locations in Belgium and neighbouring countries. CEUSTERS stands ready to support that growth — not just as a broker, but as a strategic partner in location sourcing, technical matching and negotiation.
“Retail, leisure and workplace are converging,” concludes Laurens. “Our strength lies in connecting the dots early — across teams, across sectors, and across regions. The future of real estate is integrated. And CEUSTERS is built to lead that future.”