Young but Not Reckless: Fenixco Welcomes Junior Project Leader Pieter (26)
The success story behind the real estate projects of the Ghent-based developer Fenixco is written by a close-knit team of dedicated multi-talented individuals.
Most of them have been in the residential real estate world for some time, but there is also room for fresh and up-and-coming talent. Pieter Van Herreweghe from Erpe-Mere, barely 24 years old, knows exactly what he wants. Since September 2021, after a successful internship, he has been part of the permanent Fenixco team, and he couldn’t be happier!
“I want to make a mark on the world. As a real estate developer, you can truly leave your stamp.”
Mindful Construction
Pieter’s path might be somewhat unorthodox, but that’s what makes it interesting for a company like Fenixco, where employees naturally look beyond the confines of their own roles. After his secondary studies in Economics and Sciences, Pieter chose a bachelor’s in construction at Odisee Hogeschool in Aalst.
“The construction course is very broad, from homes and apartments to infrastructure works like sewers and bridges, mainly preparing people for roles like site manager or calculator. The emphasis is strongly on practice, so graduates know what they are talking about. In the first semester, we even learned to lay bricks ourselves. Most of my classmates are now working as site managers, a critical role. A site manager places orders, checks schedules, manages the site, and closely follows the construction.”
However, Pieter consciously chose a different path. “During my internship, I quickly realized that site managers are on-site from early morning until evening. That’s not a problem for a young guy like me, but you need to know yourself. I’m a real family man and can’t see myself doing that long-term. Moreover, I want to be involved in developing construction projects from scratch. As a contractor and site manager, you are mainly the executing party.”
“An internship at Fenixco appealed to me because it’s a compact, private Belgian real estate developer that still manages to execute large and impressive projects. I was amazed at what they achieve with just eight employees!”
A Fenixco internship right after the lockdown, and the rest is history…
Whether by chance or not, Pieter quickly felt a connection, especially because, as an intern, he was immediately made to feel like a true part of the team.
“My search for an internship began just as we were emerging from the first lockdown, which made it challenging. My internship was originally scheduled for November 2020, but by then, working from home had become the norm again. However, with some delay and a lot of flexibility from Fenixco, it all eventually worked out.
As an intern, I was warmly welcomed and given a good amount of responsibility right from the start. My internship supervisor, Jannie Zwaenepoel, asked me what I could do and what I wanted to do. I was allowed to alternate between construction-related and real estate tasks: helping with rentals, drafting measurement statements, visiting construction sites… I need that variety, and it helped me learn a tremendous amount.”
In the Seventh Real Estate Heaven
At the time of this interview, Pieter had been on Fenixco’s payroll for just three weeks. Thanks to his internship, he already feels like part of the team.
“My plan was to apply to Fenixco after my internship, but they were ahead of me and offered me a job. I was in seventh heaven and still am. As a junior project leader, I have a very broad range of tasks, mainly supporting the project leaders.”
“Currently, I’m working on calculations for the new construction and renovation project Gandhon in Ghent, near the Sint-Pietersstation. For the Menlopark construction project, where we previously realized apartments, I’m preparing the specifications, together with colleagues, for the homes we are building here. A specification is an overview of what we, as the developer, want, from materials to techniques. Finally, you’ll often find me on-site and at meetings, where I learn a lot again.”
A Bundle of Nerves in a Warm Nest (or, a Young Chick in a Warm Nest)
Pieter’s personal values and character align well with the DNA of Fenixco.
“There is a warm, open atmosphere here. That’s very important to me. I’m a sensitive person and I can’t thrive in a hostile work environment. We don’t work in isolation; each of us has our own specialization, but we also take on tasks that don’t strictly fall within the standard scope of our roles.”
“My colleagues are older than me. My colleague Luc, who is retiring in March, is an incredible source of knowledge. I learn every day by observing and listening, and I ask a lot of questions. I’m a bit of a bundle of nerves with a big heart, but I feel very much at home here. Fenixco has quickly become a familiar and pleasant environment for me.”
“I’m quite straightforward and perfectionistic, and that’s true for my employer as well. I can see that Fenixco, as a real estate developer, doesn’t just want to build properties to sell, but they genuinely aim to create beautiful homes with heart, paying great attention to detail. Fenixco always works on multiple ambitious projects at the same time, yet they do so with great precision.”
“At Fenixco, mutual respect is palpable. My older, more experienced colleagues also ask for my opinion. It’s the little things like that which make me come to work with great pleasure.”
Passion Ignited in a Horse Stable
Pieter’s path to construction was ignited by a passion for building. Although he studied Economics and Sciences in secondary school, he traded his lab coat for a helmet.
“It started with a horse stable at home, which my father and I converted into a private wellness. That’s how I got the building bug. During my construction studies, I also took on various renovation projects at home. Two years ago, I bought a van and converted it into a camper. It’s wonderful to go into nature with it! It doesn’t always have to be far from home: this summer, I traveled through Belgium for three weeks with two friends, from the sea to the farthest point of the Ardennes. It was fantastic!”
Pieter has two other major passions: music and film.
“I followed a classical piano education and am now in my third year of saxophone. Additionally, I’m a huge film lover with a broad taste, from Inception to The Greatest Showman. I love all genres except horror. You can tell I love variety ;-)”
Want to Join Fenixco?
Would you like to be part of a close-knit team of dedicated multi-talented individuals? Feel free to apply spontaneously.
FENIXCO NV/SA
Brusselsesteenweg 119
9090 Melle
info@fenixco.be
T 09 232 11 15
F 09 232 13 15