7 minute read
Co van der Horst
from Hello Zuidas
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Amsterdam is a lively and cosmopolitan city, boasting an internationally significant airport, an increasingly important financial centre and plenty of opportunities for both entrepreneurs and career-minded individuals. It is regularly ranked within the top 10 cities to live in globally, an accolade which has been crucial in attracting new incomers from some of the biggest conurbations in the world. With an influx of expatriates, partially driven by Brexit, and with a growing presence on the world stage, Amsterdam is fast becoming “the new kid on the block” when it comes to property development, particularly in respect to the luxury market.
Ernst Faber
Turnkey residential projects - on the rise It is clear that there is increasing demand for luxury properties in and around Amsterdam. Not only that, but buyers are now looking for the complete package; a fully furnished property which can be moved into (or rented out) as soon as the keys are handed over. This is the “turnkey home”.
Co Development - what is on offer To serve this growing market, Co van der Horst, a boutique interior concept store in Amstelveen, created Co Development back in 2020. Co Development takes the complexity of coordinating such turnkey projects away from the client by managing them end-to-end, from conceptualisation through to completion. Clients have the benefit of a single point of contact from start to finish, whilst having access to the in-house team of qualified furniture-makers, upholsterers and decorators, as well as Co van der Horst’s strong professional network of carpenters, plasterers, painters and gardeners.
Extensive experience - a unique selling point Co Development is headed up by Ernst Faber who has years of experience in London managing high-end and turnkey projects in London, both domestically and internationally. In doing so he has collaborated with some of the biggest players in the industry and gained extensive and invaluable knowledge of what clients are looking for. “London is several years ahead of the rest of Europe in respect of the turnkey market, but Amsterdam is clearly not far behind. There has been a noticeable increase in demand for Co Development’s offerings and we have the ability to be able to help our clients realise their projects to a high standard”
Co van der Horst Co Development Binderij 2, Amstelveen +31 (0)20 641 25 05 ernst@vanderhorst.nl www.covanderhorst.nl
FRIS
Better living starts with a successful base
FRIS is a full service real estate provider with a strong track record in the lease of ground floor commercial space – a small but crucial niche in the commercial property sector. Where some real estate agents prefer to ignore this market, FRIS has made it its specific focus. These ground-floor commercial spaces occupy the base of residential complexes, sometimes extending up or down a floor as well. According to Nadine van Kaam, Commercial Real Estate advisor at FRIS, it’s a component all too often overlooked by project developers or residential investors. Which is a shame, because activity at street level makes neighbourhoods much more attractive and ultimately also boosts property values.
Successful base Nadine is specialized in the commercial lease of mainly ground floor office, restaurant and retail spaces. As she points out, it’s important for clients to think about the designation of a building’s base from the outset of a project. ‘’What you often saw happening’’, Nadine explains, ‘’was that too little attention went into what to do at the base, including the technical specifications and spatial layout. That resulted in unlettable spaces that just stayed vacant. So you’d have, say, a restaurant operating permit issued for a space that was completely unsuitable.’’ FRIS has made ground floor rentals one of its specializations and works with clients to develop these spaces from phase one. They’ve noticed that more project developers and investors are coming to see the value of a successful base. That’s fortunate, because a successful base also makes for better living!
Matching tool Drawing on its now extensive experience in this niche, FRIS has been able to develop a targeted matching tool. Nadine: ‘’For each new rental engagement it identifies a bunch of matches that we can
Nadine van Kaam
contact right then. Our research department has already mapped out the whole range of amenities available in each city district. That lets us see at a glance what a neighbourhood may be missing. For example, if there are a lot of places to eat, but hardly any gyms or social amenities, we notice that.’’ Using this tool, FRIS can give clients more comprehensive information, and does so as early on as possible. ‘If we can come on board very early on, the project developer will be able to anticipate the amenities required in the neighbourhood and thus create the optimal mix at street level. That is our added value.’’
FRIS - Real People Hoogoorddreef 15 1101 BA Amsterdam +31 (0)20 301 77 20 bedrijfsmakelaars@fris.nl www.fris.nl
BPD DEVELOPS HOMES FOR EVERYONE
Edward Zevenbergen
In recent years Zuidas has burgeoned into a residential district with dwellings for everyone. And there’s much more to come, as the district continues evolving. Bouwfonds Property Development started out 75 years ago with a house in Drenthe. Today, they’re over 365,000 homes and counting across the Netherlands and Germany, including spectacular, sustainable properties in Zuidas. Edward Zevenbergen, projects director at BPD, is tremendously proud of the quality of those buildings and was happy to share his vision for the future.
With all the thousands of homes BPD has built in recent years, they’ve made significant contributions throughout the Netherlands. In Zuidas, they’re the name behind Xavier, The George, The Gustav, Django, Miles and Intermezzo; residential properties built to cater to a broad segment of the homebuyer market. ‘Affordability is one of our missions and a priority for the future’, Edward confirms. ‘BPD now also has a property fund for mid-range rental housing. With that we hope to help fill the gap between subsidized rentals on the one hand and homes for sale on the other. BPD likes to do things on a large scale, as was the case with our earlier projects in Zuidas. In Diemen we’ve started construction of 700 units, with a great mix of subsidized and mid-range rentals, and units for sale. It’s a complete range, which is precisely what I want for Zuidas.’
Holland Park
Intermezzo
The George
Xavier The Gustav
Sustainability and integration As important as affordability is sustainability. By working towards a number of sustainability objectives, BPD is steadily progressing to 100% sustainable development. It already offers targeted solutions for climate and landscape, energy, circularity, and mobility. Edward explains, ‘For The George we came up with a tailor-made system to capture water on the roof and channel it down to underground water tanks, from which it can be used to replenish the garden during dry spells. Circular and natural gas-free construction have been important components for a while and our team has just appointed a dedicated sustainability officer’. Also fundamental to how BPD approaches development is integration. When developing a property, the neighbourhood is included in those plans. That’s because a home is also shaped by its surrounding environment, and an integrated approach can accommodate that.
Current projects BPD’s approach is to be able to connect with housing associations quickly to look into possible partnerships with shared goals, for example to develop a mix of units. In Zuidas, one association they’ve worked with is Eigen Haard, where the City of Amsterdam took charge of quality. ‘One project we’re working on at the moment is Hyde Park’, Edward continues. ‘There, we’re aiming for a good mix of units for sale, rent and subsidized rentals. And in Diemen, Holland Park has started phase two. That includes a landscaping plan, so it’s a good example of a sustainable, integrated development.’
Proud A whole range of property developers have contributed to making Zuidas into what it is today. Reflecting on the quality in Zuidas, Edward feels proud. ‘It’s brilliant to see how Zuidas has come alive as a residential area these last years. All the different buildings and locations – like George Gershwinlaan, that’s such a nice, attractive residential street. I hope residents and business owners feel every bit as proud.’
BPD Bouwfonds Property Development IJsbaanpad 1 1076 CV Amsterdam www.bpd.nl
BPD is developing the projects in Zuidas together with AM, ERA Contour and Eigen Haard. In Diemen Holland Park West together with Dura Vermeer and in Hoofddorp (Hydepark) together with Snippe Projecten.
