Steigenberger is expanding its activities abroad, and will take over the operation of a landmark hotel building, part of the Wiltcher's complex, located Avenue Louise in Brussels with effect from 1 January 2013. The hotel will continue to be managed under the Conrad brand until the end of 2012. Following the Steigenberger Hotel at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in September this year, this is the second international acquisition within just a few weeks. It is the logical continuation of Steigenberger's strategic expansion into major European cities and capitals; alongside Brussels and Amsterdam, Steigenberger's locations include Vienna, Berlin, Frankfurt and Zurich.An investment programme for the coming years has been agreed with the owner, AG Real Estate, in order to give guests the best possible quality and service, in line with the international Steigenberger standards."We are delighted at the chance to realize our first Steigenberger Hotel in Belgium, together with our partner AG Real Estate. The Steigenberger Grand Hotel Brussels will be one of Belgium's top hotels, and an excellent addition to our portfolio," said Matthias Heck, Management Board of Steigenberger Hotels AG.Steigenberger Hotels AG is one of Europe’s leading hotel companies. It has its head office in Frankfurt/Main and operates 80 hotels in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Egypt. The umbrella organisation Steigenberger Hotel Group comprises the two brands Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts (47 individual first-class and deluxe hotels) and InterCityHotel (33 mid-class hotels located directly at transport hubs such as railway stations and airports). Steigenberger Hotels AG has been in the sole ownership of Mr Hamed El Chiaty since 2009.