The real estate sector is benefiting from economic growth, due to an upward trend in domestic demand and growing global trade. The number of transactions is increasing, ranging from the transformation of existing real estate to more new build developments. Building-related sustainability requirements, changes in designation, dwindling retailer numbers, and vacant offices all necessitate smart solutions. Houthoff’s experienced Real Estate Team comprises over 50 real estate specialists who look beyond the problem. They have the extensive knowledge and experience required to anticipate the changing demand in the sector. Our civil-law notaries play a pivotal role in this. Our Real Estate Team is involved in the largest and most high-profile Dutch and European real estate transactions. Houthoff assists investors, project developers, financial institutions, construction companies, housing corporations and end users with complex real estate transactions and disputes.
  • "The knowledge of construction law that Houthoff brings is essential to our organisation. The team provides excellent service in all legal areas and is always on time."
    Chambers Europe, Real Estate (2025 Edition)
  • "Houthoff is excellent at cutting through complexity and strikes the right balance between mitigating risk versus speed."
    Chambers Europe, Real Estate (2025 Edition)
  • Ranked in Band 1
    Chambers Europe, Real Estate (2024 Edition)
  • “One client says: 'The combination of excellent legal skills, market knowledge, efficient approach and commercial awareness make the team unique'.”
    Chambers Europe, Real Estate (2024 Edition)
  • 'A client mentions: ‘Houthoff has always made us feel like the most important client they have and above all we have absolute trust in working alongside them. Their deep understanding of the real estate industry is second to none and they have a well structured team who clearly enjoy working together as well. We have always felt Houthoff provides a supreme level of service’."
    Legal 500, Real Estate (2024 Edition)
  • Ranked in Tier 1
    Chambers Europe, Real Estate (2023 Edition)
  • "A client mentions: 'The team is always up to date on the latest regulations and case law and is able to make the most complicated topics very clear to the business through practical overviews'."
    Chambers Europe, Real Estate (2023 Edition)
  • "One client says: 'Houthoff is hands-on and very knowledgeable when dealing with complex situations'."
    Chambers Europe, Real Estate (2023 Edition)
  • "One client said that the team has: ‘Deep relevant knowledge. Client and process focused'."
    Legal 500, Real Estate (2023 Edition)
  • "A client mentions: 'The team is very accessible, professional, has in-depth knowledge and experience in real estate and development transactions'."
    Legal 500, Real Estate (2023 Edition)

Our expertise on real estate

Efficient legal support is a prerequisite for the sale, purchase, development and redevelopment of large real estate projects. Parties engage our Real Estate Team for advice on complex real estate structures, which our civil-law notaries and lawyers provide practical and innovative solutions for. Complex real estate financing requires legal and tax expertise and a comprehensive knowledge of the national and international real estate market. Our real estate specialists advise financial institutions, real estate funds and investors on refinancing, restructuring, complex real estate auctions and distressed loan portfolios. With the rise of smart cities, we also advise and assist national and international parties investing in sustainable capital, technological communication and smart infrastructure to realise these urban developments.

We combine our extensive sector knowledge with our knowledge of areas such as purchase and sales transactions, tenancy law, leasing, procurement, environmental law, project development, administrative law and real estate financing. Our dedicated Real Estate Team helps players in the national and international real estate sector succeed.
  • Advised Schiphol Real Estate on the purchase and transfer of CBRE Investment Management's share in WTC Schiphol, making Schiphol Real Estate the full owner of the office complex.
  • Assisted Credit Suisse with the approx. EUR 33m sale of a retail complex in the city centre of Rotterdam to Zinc. 

  • Advised LCN in connection with the disposal of their office building.
  • Advised BPSA in connection with the acquisition of the Las Palmas mixed-use building in Rotterdam.
  • Advised Weesperplein 6 B.V. (State Street) on the acquisition of the Borneo office building in The Hague by means of an asset deal.
  • Advised Time Equities Inc. on the acquisition of  the freehold of the building ' t Hert in Arnhem by means of an asset deal. 
  • Advised Vestia, once the largest social housing corporation of the Netherlands, with the legal demerger of Vestia into three new social housing corporations. This transaction included the division of Vestia's real estate portfolio, consisting of approximately 65,000 rental units with a value of EUR 11.5 billion. 
  • Advised a.s.r. on the acquisition of Sweco Capital Consultants.
  • Advised HqO, together with Goodwin Procter LLP, on the acquisition of Office App. Office App is a leading European tenant and employee engagement platform.
  • Advising Hoorne Vastgoed BV and Hoorne Vastgoed Ontwikkeling BV, a seller and a developer, respectively, on the sale of two distribution centres in Alkmaar.
  • Advised ASR Dutch Core Residential Custodian B.V. and ASR Dutch Mobility Office Custodian B.V. on the acquisition of the Tree House tower in Rotterdam from Provast valued at approximately EUR 200 million.
  • Advised Hansainvest Hanseatische Investment GmbH on the sale of 'The Monarch Tower' to Credit Suisse Asset Management Global Real Estate. The tower is situated on a prime location in the Beatrixkwartier in The Hague, the city's central business district.
  • Assisted Credit Suisse Asset Management Global Real Estate in the acquisition of a newly developed distribution centre for Jumbo in Bleiswijk. The seller, Somerset, retains a 10% interest in the business.
  • Assisted the Salvation Army in setting up the investment fund 'Stichting Leger des Heils WoonVermogen' for construction projects that make a social impact. The 'Stichting Leger des Heils WoonVermogen' is funded by private investors and aims to build 250 residences for vulnerable people in the coming years.
  • Advised together with Renzenbrink & Partner, the svt Group, a leading supplier of passive fire protection products and systems with the acquisition of Flamepro. The svt Group is an Ergon Capital portfolio company.
  • Advised Real I.S. on the acquisition and financing of five newly constructed distribution centres with a total area of 115,000 m² in Europoort Rotterdam from DHG for €142 million.
  • Advised Commerz Real on the sale of its office portfolio consisting of six office buildings to Tristan Capital Partners for approx. €370 million. Tristan Capital Partners has acquired the portfolio on behalf of its core-plus fund CCP 5 LL.
  • Advised a.s.r. real estate on the acquisition – on behalf of ASR Dutch Prime Retail Fund – of a retail portfolio from Phoenix Joint Venture C.V. with a total value of  approximately € 100 million.
  • Advised DELA Vastgoed B.V. on the sale of eight shopping centres to Harbert Management Cooperation (acting on behalf of Harbert European Real Estate Fund V, LP) and Sectie5 Investments for more than EUR 180 million. The transaction concerned the shopping centres 't Loo in Heiloo, Kastelenplein in Eindhoven, Heksenwiel in Breda, Op de Kamp in Landgraaf, Groeneweg in Utrecht, Maaspoort in Den Bosch, Reigerhof in Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel and Hasselo in Hengelo.
  • Advised DELA Vastgoed B.V. on the sale of the shopping centres 'Kerkelanden' in Hilversum and 'Westerkoog' in Koog aan de Zaan to Syntrus Real Estate & Finance B.V., the latter acting on behalf of the funds Stichting Rabobank Pensioenfonds and Achmea Dutch Retail Property Fund. The transaction was valued at approximately EUR 65 million.

Publications

View more View less

Key Contact

Rotterdam
Notaris | Partner

Key Contact

Amsterdam
Notaris | Partner

Key Contact

Rotterdam
Notaris | Managing Partner
Dolf de Jong

Key Contact

Amsterdam
Notaris | Partner
Anna Wijnans

Key Contact

Rotterdam
Advocaat | Partner