The quiet engine behind Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria

Classified hotel property with whisper-quiet and sustainable technology

The transformation of the renovated Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria is one of the most ambitious hotel renovations in Brussels. The majestic property, a listed heritage building that had not been renovated for decades, received a complete reconstruction. “We wanted a historic palace to shine again at the level of a contemporary luxury hotel,” says Guillaume Demeyer, Engineering Manager of Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria. “But futureproof with comfort, sustainability and technical finesse as a starting point.”

This combination of heritage and modern hotel design required HVAC solutions that were exceptionally quiet, energy-efficient and compact. The engineering firm Arcadis therefore chose Mitsubishi Electric, which has extensive expertise in complex building renovations.

Low-noise in five-star environment

In a hotel where silence is part of luxury, noise reduction was top priority. “The noise level had to remain as low as possible, especially in a densely built-up environment like Brussels,” says Jesús Aguirre Amantegui, Consultant Applied System at Mitsubishi Electric Europe. “This is why we chose units with Turbocor compressors, which are known for almost noiseless operation. Combined with an acoustic enclosure and an extremely quiet cooling tower, this forms a solution that fits perfectly within a five-star hotel.”

“HVAC is supposed to be invisible and inaudible,” adds Demeyer. “This system keeps the hotel whisper quiet, and that takes comfort to the next level.”

Energy efficiency as a backbone

Sustainability was as high on the agenda as silence. The combination of the oil-free Turbocor technology and the energy-efficient cooling tower significantly reduces consumption. “This even leads to almost half the reduction in CO2 emissions, with a payback period of about four years,” Aguirre explains.

“For us, sustainability goes beyond numbers,” Demeyer continues. “It's about respect for the building, for the environment and for our future. The new installation also helps us achieve important sustainability certificates.”

Renovate within heritage boundaries

Integrating modern HVAC into a protected structure proved to be a huge puzzle. “The roof area was limited and the building leaves little room for noise, vibrations or heavy loads,” Aguirre clarifies. The flexibility of the compact, lightweight and corrosion-resistant cooling tower proved indispensable.

A good dose of creativity was also needed inside the building. “Everything went out and was rebuilt,” explains Demeyer. “We brought modern technology into a historic shell. That meant a lot of testing, adjusting and, above all, partners who stepped into that story with us.”

Designed for the future

The system allows Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria to heat and cool at the same time. This is a must for hotels with varying occupancy rates. “The best proof of good comfort is that guests don't notice anything. Because that means everything is working perfectly,” says nog Demeyer.

Although he mainly interacted with the installation company, he was impressed with the technical start-up by Mitsubishi Electric. “The way they tackled problems and adapted to the reality on site gave us a lot of confidence. This is really an installation designed for the future.”