4 minute read
Speakers Corner ION spreads its wings
A team that is already expanding
In a short time, and all but unnoticed, ION Luxembourg has already built a fantastic team. This currently consists of two employees commuting between Brussels and Luxembourg. A third employee will join at the end of May.
ION landed in Luxembourg barely eight months ago. But in that short time, the first projects have already been acquired. Undeniably, the experience and decisiveness of Stephane Deby has had a lot to do with this. The fact that the Luxembourgish DNA is very similar to ION's DNA also helps a little.
ION spreads its wings
— What is your experience in the real
estate world?
Stéphane: "I graduated in engineering but after my studies, I quickly began to focus on urban development rather than construction. Being able to start with an undeveloped plot and work out a vision for it has always fascinated me. I took my first steps with Thomas & Piron, then moved to the Matexi Group, and finally started working for the Promobe Group. I worked for the latter, which is a market leader in Luxembourg, for 17 years. There, I was mainly responsible for the development of lots and projects. I had the good fortune to work with many di erent, wellknown architects, and to realize exceptional projects."
— So what made you make the switch
to ION?
Stéphane: "I was interested in taking on a new challenge with ION, and was immediately inspired by the dynamism of Kristof and Davy. The energy they radiate absolutely drew me in. ION's DNA also played a role. "I am convinced that Luxembourgers will recognize themselves in the sense for aesthetics and the characteristic Flemish accuracy."
— What does your job involve? Stéphane: "At the moment, it’s primarily focused on acquiring land. When I started in the position, I looked up all my contacts from the past 25 years and presented ION to them. And this proved successful: many were really interested and very enthusiastic about working together on a new adventure."
— Why is ION interested in Luxembourg? Stéphane: "It's clear that ION has a growth model. And Luxembourg is of course right next to Belgium. It’s also a country that is doing well economically, and where the purchasing power
Luxembourg, a country for everyone
An inhabitant of the border region remains first and foremost attached to their own culture and to the culture of their country of origin. For example, a French person would consider living in Luxembourg, but rarely in Germany or Belgium.
— Stéphane Deby of the population is fairly high. What’s more, Luxembourg is a country of clarity and transparency. Our regulations and laws are quite precise: when you buy a plot, the land use and the building regulations are clearly defined. So anyone who builds in Luxembourg is not taking a leap into the unknown."
— What market are you going to
focus on?
Stéphane: "Luxembourg is not a big country, and its commercial activities are mainly concentrated in four areas where the land is already largely occupied. That is why, with ION. we are mainly focusing on the sale of residential real estate. The demand for housing here is still high. Although we have to pay attention to the selling price. The price of real estate in Luxembourg City is so prohibitively high that, for many people, it’s simply impossible to buy a property. As a result, some of the population has left the country, moving to the border regions of Belgium, Germany or France. Border cities such as Trier, Aarlen and Thionville have a certain attraction."
Stéphane: "But I am pleased to say that after eight months, we have already received our first dossiers, including a 11,000 m2 project in Steinfort where we will build two residences of 20 apartments and 25 houses. That gives you confidence."
— What are the next steps? Stéphane: "Acquiring land is good, but after that, you also have to build and develop, of course! We are currently enlisting engineers and architects so we can draw up plans and negotiate with municipalities' urban planning departments. We hope to move very quickly to the next phase, and start the construction work."
— What are your biggest challenges? Stéphane: "The biggest challenge remains finding good building land at reasonable prices. Being down to earth is one of the keys to ION's success. So here in Luxembourg, too, we will do everything we can to keep our feet on the ground and find a balance."
In the shadow of a Luxembourg icon
ION's o ce building is a stone's throw from the famous Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (BIL). Founded in 1856, it is the oldest private bank in Luxembourg.
