Looking for a unique ballroom for your next event? Perhaps Outfort in the Antwerp suburb of Hoboken is an option. A unique location in the middle of nature, close to but still far away from all the hustle and bustle. This venue is literally located in an old fort: Fort VIII in Hoboken. Fort VIII is one of the forts of the Brialmont Belt. Construction of the fort started in 1859, over an area that then consisted of grounds of castles, including Count Moretus’ Scaldisburg. The works were completed by 1864.
Managing director of Outfort is Kelly Verborgstadt, alumnus of Hotelschool Ter Duinen in Koksijde. Olivier Wauters, Executive Director of Eventonline, had a chat with him. “After my Hotel School studies, I started my own catering company, Jörd Catering. About three years ago, I had just signed to take over Outfort Hoboken when the Corona epidemic broke out. That was difficult for a while, because I took over Outfort with a reservation book full of parties, all of which I then had to cancel for the well-known reason. That was we intense.”
However, the entrepreneur did not hold back and committed sight to further planning the future of Outfort.
“For instance, we tackled the terrace with a new floor and we continue to invest in it. The terrace is also fully roofed, the capacity is now 140 for seated dining and 220 for standing, for walking dinner and receptions we can accommodate up to 230 guests, both indoors and outdoors. The combination of both is therefore possible. We can organise parties here from about 25 people up to 250.”
Three rooms
Outfort has three halls, namely ‘Capponiera’, (250), ‘Main Front’ (250) and the 2 ‘Officers’ Rooms’ (50). “Our main hall is the ‘Capponiera’ which is mainly aimed at conferences, fairs, receptions, business parties, complementary with team-buildings. Our second room ‘Main Front’, also perfect for congresses, fairs or plenary sessions, is slightly more spacious. Dance parties of up to 3 to 400 people can also go on there. We then have adjoining ‘Officers’ Rooms’ a seminar area where between 10 and 25 people can hold a business meeting. Outfort is also equipped with all possible media facilities.”
Teambuilding range
At Fort VIII, Outfort has put together a wide range of activities entirely focused on team building and training level 4. “For example, we can offer a ropes course (which can be adapted to the customer’s wishes), as well as a laser shoot or the Brialmont game (in the vein of the Fort Boyard game). In the Fort itself, we create a lot of tasks that are team-building,” said the business manager.
“The ideal scenario runs as follows: In the afternoon, you have lunch here with your company’s executive board, then afterwards invite your staff for a team-building event. Closing can be done in the evening with a dance party.”
Catering
All catering at Outfort is provided exclusively by Jörd Catering which focuses on terroir cuisine, i.e. seasonal and local. “We give customers a choice menu to put together in advance, lots of amuses, different appetisers, fancy BBQs, table dinners is also a possibility. By the way, we have a permanent kitchen in room ‘Capponiera’. Closing can be done with a nice BBQ and a dance party afterwards.”
Parking
Large groups need not worry about parking. “Adjacent to the venue, Outfort has 130 parking spaces. About 100m on foot there are another 100 spaces.”
Tailormade
For all organisations of your parties, Outfort provides tailor-made proposals. The customer also always has a single contact person so that everything runs smoothly. “Our slogan is therefore ‘Calculate the chaos’,” said another business manager.
