Looking Back: 'The Origin of Lumen'

In 2021, on the occasion of our 10th anniversary, we wrote about the origin of Lumen. The story of the establishment and development of Lumen Hotel & Events. How did this Zwolle company come into being and what developments have taken place? Founder and director Chris Lindeboom shares his story in this blog.

"In early 2007, Patrick Bruins and I started as independents with the acquisition of two hotels in the west of the country. We had the idea to expand further but had no concrete ideas about where and when," says Chris. "In 2009, I read in the trade press that a potential operator of the hotel in the PEC Zwolle stadium had backed out and they were looking for a new hotelier." The gentlemen then contacted the developer.

In the following months, negotiations took place on whether the hotel in the stadium could be operated under the wings of the Compass Group (they had signed for the total hospitality in the stadium but have since left) or as a direct tenant/operator. Chris says: "It became the latter. After a few more months of preparation, construction started in mid-2010. All parties involved in the construction, including Patrick and I, met weekly to discuss progress. The construction went smoothly, and the hotel opened on April 15, 2011."

Why Lumen?

"When we developed the hotel concept in 2009, we saw Lumen as a meeting place for Zwolle and its region." Chris talks about how Lumen symbolizes the beacon where people are drawn to, often seen at crossroads like a lamppost or a lighthouse.  "Furthermore, the light theme is reflected in the hotel with, among other things, the artistic cube lighting in the Atrium and the changing colors in the Lounge wall on the ground floor, for these reasons, we chose the name 'Lumen'." 

Present and Future

"After opening in 2011, we expected the credit crisis to be over, unfortunately, that was not the case, making the hotel's start challenging. Fortunately, we left that behind a few years ago, and at the end of 2016, we took over the then IJsseldelta Center and Bluefinger Restaurant, making us the regular caterer for PEC Zwolle, since then we have been operating under the banner 'Lumen Hotel & Events'," says Chris.
Tourists and Zwolle businesses now know how to find Lumen well. The success of PEC Zwolle, the growth of the stadium, and the club's friendly image are positive elements of this complex.

Chris indicates: "The potential of Lumen lies in the fact that we are a truly Zwolle company, which has become the center of a fantastic (economic and tourist) region. However, there is still room for higher occupancy and more events, making the whole even more successful and stable. But quality is also a subject we continue to focus on – partly working on internal processes and partly continuing to invest in the product."
"The position of vibrant center of the Zwolle region will be strengthened in the coming years. An inspiring place where people like to come together – a place where we take the lead in meeting each other at an innovative location. Contemporary and surprising are terms that will apply."

Get Inspired! 

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