Vision on real estate

ES TAT E

Nr1 | 2018-2019

R E A L

Real estate trends RETAIL, OFFICES, RESIDENTIALS, HOTELS

The appeal of the Zuidas EXTENSION WTC AMSTERDAM

Inner city developments REDEVELOPMENT ICONIC RETAIL PROPERTIES V&D

Real estate magazine of abcnova | www.abcnova.nl R E A L

E S T A T E

P R O J E C T

M A N A G E R S

real estate

Our clients are investors, project developers and end-users. They do not want to worry about the (re-)development or extension of their real estate. In many cases these questions can be translated to housing issues. Adding value to locations, appearances, sustainability, quality and efficiency; this is what drives our clients. abcnova is the bridge between these questions and facilitates the final result. We serve to act in your best interest, from idea to completion of any project; our goal is to earn your trust with our high-quality work and experienced team to ensure you are satisfied from initiative to operations. In each assessment we (re)consider the commercial added value for the long run. We do this for many prestigious real estate projects in many different market segments such as retail, offices, residentials and hotels. This magazine introduces you to some of our projects. We will also share our vision on current trends and we will show you how to best respond to these trends.

We hope that you enjoy reading our magazine.

Driss Aarab Managing Partner at abcnova Real Estate Project Managers

Vision and approach Identifying opportunities for our clients

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Trends Within Real Estate

Extension WTC Interview with CBRE Global Investors about the collaboration with abcnova

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Table of

contents 6

VISION AND APPROACH

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TRENDS

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OFFICES: EXTENSION WTC AMSTERDAM INTERVIEW JEAN-PIERRE SPIERTS, CBRE GLOBAL INVESTORS

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RESIDENTIALS: REDEVELOPMENT SCHEVENINGSEWEG THE HAGUE INTERVIEW RIEN VAN ROOIJ, AMVEST

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A SELECTION OF OUR PROJECTS

RETAIL: REDEVELOPMENT ICONIC BUIDLINGS INTERVIEW MARISKA RIMMELZWAAN, IEF CAPITAL

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HOTELS: CITY ID GROUP MAKE YOU FEEL AT HOME INTERVIEW ALEXANDER GOAD EN OTTO JURGENS, CITY ID GROUP

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MIXED-USE BUILDINGS

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REAL ESTATE ACCORDING TO...

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Boot & Co City ID Group reveals new vision on hotels

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Our vision & APPROACH

WE ARE PROJECT MANAGERS AND ADVISERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT, SALE AND ACQUISITION OF REAL ESTATE ON A NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL WE BELIEVE IN DEVELOPING LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS. OUR MAIN FOCUS IS BOTH THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS ITSELF AS WELL AS THE CONSTRUCTION ASPECT. WE REPRESENT YOUR INTERESTS, FROM INITIATIVE TO OPERATIONS.

development today requires an integral approach. The added value in hiring abcnova as your independent and delegated development manager is that we understand our clients and that we create opportunities through our years of experience.

Due to our extensive knowledge of the different municipal agencies (both local and national) we can help our clients with creating new platforms between the different stakeholders. By bringing together all relevant parties and analysing the different angles we inspire our clients towards their goal. Throughout the whole process, from initiative to completion, our focus lies with quality, because our clients’ interests are our interests.

We advise various clients in the (re-)development of existing and new real estate. We take a leading role in development, process, project, realization and quality management. We also conduct legal, financial and technical due diligence prior to acquisitions for our clients.

PROCESS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT Whether a project is limited or continuous, our project and process managers are the link you need. The client has a vision and the project manager sees to it that this plan is implemented. A streamlined organisation, realistic planning and tight budget control is what you can expect. Our main goal is to unburden our clients from the day-to-day operations while continuing to keep them informed off the progress.

DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT Development implies seizing opportunities -- sometimes needing to move quickly -- and managing risks. More than ever before,

IMPLEMENTATION MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY CONTROL We still have them: genuine technicians with their boots on the ground. Regardless of the form of construction management and

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sterk ininproces Strong process en techniek and technique

langdurigeand en Long-term duurzame relaties durable relationships

type of contract, our Implementation and Quality Managers fully understand the importance of the contract, quality, planning, finance and safety. abcnova is the eyes and ears of our clients and we focus on compliance with the contract, risk management and preventing change orders. It’s becoming a trend to give general contractors a bigger role than only the construction. For these projects our contract managers focus on seeing that the contractor complies with all of the provisions and agreements in the contract. We are ever vigilant on our client’s behalf. This allows clients to rely on a well-controlled construction process.

DUE DILIGENCE abcnova advises and supports clients by performing technical, legal and financial assessments before a property is acquired. We investigate whether it meets your requirements and expectations, including its fair market value. In addition to this, we assist in negotiating the turnkey contract between you and the developer.

ADVICE AND SECOND OPINION Besides managing entire projects, we also offer our clients advice as a separate service. Whenever you need objective, independent advice, abcnova can provide a second opinion. We also offer legal advice and feasibility studies, in which we compile comprehensive business cases.

verschillende segmenten in Different segments commercieel of real estate vastgoed

internationaal International orientation georiënteerd

From initiative to completion, abcnova is the partner you can trust to protect your interests in any (re-) development project.”

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Trends within

real estate

THE ECONOMY IS DOING WELL. BUILDINGS THAT WERE VACANT FOR A LONG TIME ARE GIVEN NEW PURPOSE, AND DEMAND FOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS IS ON THE RISE. THIS BRINGS NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVESTORS, DEVELOPERS AND REAL ESTATE USERS, BUT IT ALSO DEMANDS FLEXIBILITY AND A CLEAR VISION FOR THE FUTURE.

Offices

Residentials

HEALTHY, DESIRABLE WORKPLACES The use, occupancy and functionality of offices are subject to change. In recent years, much has been said and done regarding the new way of working, sustainability and WELL buildings.

Today’s offices are meeting points. Individual tasks, such as answering e-mails, are increasingly being performed elsewhere.

In part as a result of the laws and regulations on CO2-neutral construction, but also due to increasing demand for a healthy working environment. These trends seem to be permanent and therefore demand a lot from both real estate owners and real estate users. In an interview, CBRE Global Investors explain how these trends are the catalyst of the WTC expansions.

SUSTAINABLE GROWTH The shortage on the housing market is tangible, especially in inner city districts. The government’s response to the shortage is to stimulate additional construction and transformation. The market has seized this opportunity and is increasing the level of professionalism and innovation for the development, as well as the construction process.

Developers are compelled to maintain a conceptual, problemsolving approach, in which quality and financial interests are carefully considered in order to realise feasible projects. In this magazine, Amvest expands on the transformation of an office building into a luxury apartment complex in The Hague.

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Retail DEMAND FOR THE FULL EXPERIENCE What we have witnessed over the course of the last decade is a drastically changing retail landscape. The increase in the number of online retailers means that it is increasingly difficult to interest consumers and gain their loyalty. As a result, aspects such as full experience, cross-channel shopping experiences and location, play an increasingly important role in drawing consumers to shops. Not only does this require creativity in the preparation and design phases, it also requires a future-proof and sustainable development strategy. Curious to know how IEF Capital Real Estate Services deals with all of this? Read all about it in this magazine.

Hotels

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ADDED VALUE FOR THE SURROUNDINGS Tourism has grown exponentially in the Netherlands in recent years. Not only has the number of offers on Airbnb increased, the number of hotels has also rocketed. Cities apply strict regulations for the hotel concepts and require hotels to provide added value for the city. Guests are more demanding and in need of an individual approach. Dealing with this requires well-conceived and innovative hotel concepts that can accommodate every type of guest, whether a tourist or a business traveller, and that constitute an addition to the functioning of the (urban) environment. In this magazine, we reveal how hotel chain City ID Group brings its hotel concept to life.

MIXED-USE BUILDINGS Another of today’s obvious trends is the use of mixed-use buildings, also referred to as MicroCities. The concept itself is not entirely new, seeing that there has always been a practice of combining real estate with housing. Many of us are familiar with shopping malls that have been constructed under a row of houses built in the 1950s. However, what we see now in the development of buildings is an integration of various functions based on the various audiences.

This combining of functions leads to a much more attractive and sustainable surrounding from an urban point of view. Driss Aarab, managing partner at abcnova, gives his vision in this magazine.

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EXTENSION WTC AMSTERDAM

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Offices

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Offices EXTENSION WTC AMSTERDAM

Interview Jean-Pierre Spierts, CBRE Global Investors

WTC ON THE ZUIDAS IN AMSTERDAM HARDLY HAS ANY VACANCY AT ALL, DEMAND MOSTLY EXCEEDS SUPPLY. TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT. “IN THE WTC AMSTERDAM WE RENT OUT OFFICE SPACES RANGING FROM 20 TO 11,000 M². WE OFFER ALL TYPES OF COMPANIES THE POSSIBILITY TO EASILY EXPAND WITHIN THE COMPLEX. OUR AIM HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO CONTINUE TO MEET THOSE NEEDS, BUT OUR OPTIONS CAME UNDER PRESSURE DUE TO THE HIGH OCCUPANCY RATE WE’VE HAD THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. REALISING THIS, THE PLAN FOR EXTENSION OF THE PREMISES WAS INITIATED. IN ADDITION TO RENOVATING TOWER D, WITH A SURFACE AREA OF 17,000 M², AN EXTENSION OF 32,000 M² SURFACE AREA IS BEING CONSTRUCTED. DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT IS BEING BACKED

BY OUR INVESTORS, IT REMAINS A RISKY ENDEAVOUR THAT HAS TO BE MONITORED VERY CAREFULLY. THE PROJECT MUST THEREFORE BE WELL EXECUTED, WITHIN BUDGET AND ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE.”

“We want to maintain our rental options and services at such a high level as to prevent our tenants and occupants from wanting to leave.” says Jean-Pierre Spierts, Director Asset Management & Development at CBRE Global Investors, one of the world’s biggest investment managers.

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One of the biggest qualities contributed by abcnova is their capacity to see the big picture.”

CHALLENGING Realising a project of almost 50,000 m² on the Zuidas. “A big challenge when you bear in mind that the project involves a renovation and an extension of this magnitude on an area the size of a ‘stamp’, in the centre of the buzzing Zuidas. To top it all off, the other towers of the WTC have to remain fully operational. We needed to find support in the form of an experienced Project Manager to ensure a successful implementation. abcnova offered us just that. The permit has meanwhile been granted, and we are almost ready to begin with construction. I can safely say that I am very happy with the choice I made to engage abcnova for the project management.”

THE BIG PICTURE The extension of the WTC Amsterdam is one of the biggest development challenges on the Zuidas. Details matter, but only to a certain degree. “One of the risks in development is that you lose yourself in details as a design team. Budget, planning and quality are then at risk. One of the biggest qualities contributed by abcnova is their capacity to see the big picture. Sometimes a score of 8 will suffice for now, finishing up the details can follow at a later stage. We need to keep moving forward.

The Project Manager also knows exactly how to relay our ambitions to the design team, so that problems can be solved in a timely manner and everything is executed accordingly.”

PERSONAL QUALITIES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE “In a complex inner city development such as this, personal qualities make as much of a difference as knowledge and experience, if not more. The Project Manager from abcnova in charge of the project has everything it takes. I don’t think that there are many Project Managers in the Netherlands who are capable of supervising such a project. Given his determination, astuteness and temperament, he gets things done where other people would have likely given up. abcnova has a streamlined organization that ensures continuity in their tasks. Being the commissioning party, this puts our minds at ease.”

HIGH SERVICE LEVEL “The WTC Amsterdam came out of the crisis relatively unscathed. What we see is a market in permanent motion.

What we do is move with it by providing a high level of service and offering facilities that are continuously expanding and improving. The extension, with which abcnova is assisting us, will enable us to fulfil our ambitions. I am confident that the project will be completed successfully.”

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Residentials

SCHEVENINGSEWEG, THE HAGUE

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Copyright: PBV Architects

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Residentials TRANSFORMATION TO A LUXURY APARTMENT COMPLEX Interview with Rien van Rooij, Amvest AMVEST IS CURRENTLY TRANSFORMING OFFICE BUILDINGS LOCATED ON SCHEVENINGSEWEG IN THE HAGUE, INTO LUXURY HOUSING. RIEN VAN ROOIJ, DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT AMVEST, TELLS US ABOUT THIS PROJECT AND ABCNOVA’S INVOLVEMENT IN IT.

It’s quite a challenge to transform an office building into a luxury residential complex in a landmark designated street.

“This is a remarkable project, one that demands a lot from the development team in terms of finding creative solutions. First of all, this beautiful street in the Statenkwartier is a landmark designated street. Secondly, we were faced with a number of structural challenges. However, the current design enables us to fulfil our ambitions and meets all requirements as put forward

by the Department for the Preservation of Monuments, Urban Housing and Aesthetics. The complex will feature an i-shaped and a u-shaped building featuring two, three and four-bedroom apartments. The existing basement of the building will be transformed into a parking garage and several storage rooms.

FROM OFFICE BUILDING TO PLEASANT LIVING ENVIRONMENT “Two of the buildings have been connected by a single floor to which balconies were added. By having the two upper floors recline a little and finished with a material that resembles roof tiles, the building appears bigger and harmonises with the neighbouring villas. The architecture is clearly inspired by the surrounding urbanisation, but with a modern twist. Green areas have been incorporated within the design, this will make the whole complex more appealing. abcnova got involved with the project when the demolition works started, they supervised the demolition and will also supervise the (re-)construction.

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I’ve been with Amvest for 19 years, and I can’t remember working with any other company. After so many years, all we need is a few words to understand each other.”

LEAN & MEAN Amvest is a ‘Lean & Mean’ organisation, which is reflected in the way they organise tasks. They perform the tasks for which control and strategic knowledge is required themselves. The daily management and other operational activities or tasks requiring a specific expertise are outsourced. “At Amvest we work according to a different structure. There is no direct Amvest supervisor, this means the contractor is responsible for the quality of his work. To ensure quality and contract compliance we do conduct random inspections, but the day-to-day on-site supervision is outsourced.

They supervise the construction, chair the construction meetings and provide us with progress reports. For this project we hired the experienced experts at abcnova, their performance has been nothing short of success. We have virtually nothing to add to their construction reports, the way in which they represent the interests of all stakeholders makes things a lot simpler.”

abcnova understands why and how we want things, which is why our relationship has lasted for more than 19 years.”

LONG TERM As a developer-investor, you have to focus on the long term not just rentals and sales. “Amvest is one of the very few real estate investors in the Netherlands who do their own developments. We want to transform entire areas into living environments that offer such a level of quality as to make the residents happy while also adding long term value to this area. Such a high level of ambition demands a lot from our own people and the external parties we engage. Thankfully,

Copyright: PBV Architects

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Cruquius AMSTERDAM

Leidsche Rijn Centrum UTRECHT

A SELECTION OF

our projects Redevelopment V&D THE HAGUE

Utrecht Transportation Terminal UTRECHT

Fletcher Hotel AMSTERDAM

19 Duin ALMERE

Brainport Industries Campus EINDHOVEN

Waterkanten LISSE

Copyright: Ronald Tilleman

NoMA House

Zuidoever

AMSTERDAM

AMSTERDAM

Hotel Twenty Eight AMSTERDAM

Pathé Movie Theater ZWOLLE

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REDEVELOPMENT V&D BUILDING, AMSTERDAM

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Retail

Copyright: Office Winhov

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Retail

Copyright: Office Winhov

INNER CITY REDEVELOPMENT ICONIC RETAIL PROPERTIES

Interview with Mariska Rimmelzwaan, IEF Capital

IEF CAPITAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES REDEVELOPED THE FORMER V&D STORE ON THE KALVERSTRAAT AND ROKIN IN AMSTERDAM. MARISKA RIMMELZWAAN, SENIOR ACQUISITION AND LEASE MANAGER, IS PASSIONATE ABOUT THE WAY IN WHICH IEF CAPITAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES FULFILS ITS AMBITIONS AND WHY THEY RELY ON ABCNOVA TO ASSIST THEM.

The continuously changing market demands flexibility and innovation within the retail sector. It is therefore important to develop buildings that will still function and be in demand ten years and beyond. “We do everything we can to develop highquality buildings that offer a special ambiance. Flexibility and innovation are crucial to any reallocation or redevelopment.

We generally face considerable challenges, because of our own ambitions, but also because many of the buildings located in the city centre are historic buildings. We need a partner who we can trust to manage and supervise this type of project in terms of planning, quality and costs. The Project Managers of abcnova have proven themselves during the preparation and execution of the V&D The Hague redevelopment. This is reason enough for us to work with them again in redeveloping the former V&D building on the Kalverstraat and Rokin in Amsterdam.”

A FACE IN THE INNER CITY “The divesting of businesses due to bankruptcy of V&D and the departure of this tenant presented us with an opportunity to redesignate and modernise the building. We divided the building into vertical sections and restored the old St. Jorissteeg to its former glory. Even the façades will be restored to the original condition, this also means the glass canopy once adorning the Rokin side. By doing this, we bring a small part of history back to the city. La Place is returning as a tenant and will occupy one of the buildings. For the other building we are still looking for a

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tenant for the basement, the ground floor and the 2nd floor. The top four floors have already been rented to a Danish e-commerce company. Being able to offer 1,000 m² per floor in the inner city is unique. Not only this company but companies like Coolblue and Ikea are all moving towards the vibrant inner cities, we also heard that Wehkamp are developing similar plans. These are all great opportunities for us and we will act accordingly.”

We saw an opportunity to restore a small part of the history of the city of Amsterdam. As a Project Manager you have to know exactly what to expect during a renovation and redevelopment on a location like this.”

ABCNOVA SHOULDERS OUR BURDENS Any inner city (re)development faces a number of challenges, particularly in the areas of development, permits, logistics and safety. “abcnova oversees it from A to Z: development management, project management and steering & supervision. abcnova focuses intensively on planning, budgeting and quality by maintaining in close contact with the architect, contractor, municipal authorities, future tenants and us. The challenges we face are numerous, especially when it comes to redevelopment projects in Amsterdam’s inner city. abcnova shoulder our burdens.

The Project Managers assess the bottle necks, find solutions and present them to us. We work together to find a solution and determine a plan of action, after which abcnova regains control.

They do this correctly and with discipline, this inspires confidence.”

LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP “The nice thing about the Project Managers at abcnova is that they always seem to find the right balance. They work independently, but they also consult with us at the right moments. abcnova are goal orientated professionals, but they never forget about

the human aspect and always consider the people involved.

Additionally, they are capable of combining a perfect birdseye view with a keen sense for detail. Our partnership is as pleasant as it is constructive. The bi-weekly meetings are also attended by our directors, this shortens the lines of communication and expedites the decision-making process.

As far as we’re concerned, it’s a collaboration worth repeating.

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Hotels

BOOT & CO AMSTERDAM

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Copyrigh: IQNN Vastgoed

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Hotels

CITY ID GROUP MAKE YOU FEEL AT HOME

Interview with Alexander Goad and Otto Jurgens, City ID Group

A CITY ID GROUP APARTMENT HOTEL IS A GREAT PLACE FROM WHICH TO WORK OR EXPLORE THE CITY. THE FULLY FURNISHED APARTMENTS ARE DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU FEEL AT HOME. THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES PROVIDED ARE AS COMPLETE AS THEY ARE EXCELLENT. HOWEVER, THE HOTELS MUST OF COURSE FIRST BE REALIZED, WHICH THE OWNERS INTEND TO ACHIEVE WITH A TEAM OF TRUSTED PARTNERS SUCH AS ABCNOVA.

City ID Group is a young and fast-growing apartment and hotel company. Their concept is relatively new, and current demand indicates tremendous potential. There are currently two City ID Group hotels in Amsterdam: Amsterdam ID Aparthotel near Sloterdijk and Hotel Twenty Eight at Stadionplein. The City ID Group operates 36 units aptly named "A-partments" at various locations in the city. A third hotel is scheduled to be opened in the Houthaven in the near future called Boot & Co. As far as founders and CEOs Alexander Goad and Otto Jurgens are concerned, more projects will follow.

DREAM BIG Amsterdam is a great place to start, but that’s not where the dreams of City ID Group end. “Once we have established ourselves in Amsterdam, we intend to open other hotels at various locations in the Netherlands. Our ambition is to ultimately become an international company that is known for its apartments in top locations and that excels in the quality, the level of service and the facilities it provides. To achieve that, we develop our hotels from the perspective of the most demanding visitor. If he or she likes it, then that's what matters.”

HOTEL AND LIVING EXPERIENCE COMBINED The City ID Group develops hotels with fully furnished apartments that even have kitchens. Their buildings are in many ways similar to housing developments, but the visiting experience has to be at hotel level. This is challenging on multiple aspects. “The last hotel we completed was the Twenty Eight. The interior of the 56 luxury apartments and studios was designed by the internationally renowned architectural firm MBDS. Everything in the hotels, from the baseboards to furniture and lighting, was designed and customised for us.

The result is a fully integrated interior and ambiance as we envisioned it. The entire process requires strong acquisitions and negotiation skills and a diligent on-site presence during the completion phase. We are extremely happy with the result, as are our guests. Our rating on Booking.com is 9.2.”

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GOOD PROJECT MANAGEMENT SHOULDERS THE BURDEN “We came in contact with abcnova after we already started with the development of Twenty Eight. The plans for the building had already been drafted, but the lay-out and interior design still had to be determined. The limited time we had to realise this as well as the scope of the project management required meant we needed a strong partner capable of dealing with surprises. abcnova turned out to be the right partner. Their role as Project Manager and Supervisor, their efforts, their passion and their flexible approach have been of vital importance to our team. They do what has to be done, and they do it well. The first Project Manager with whom I spoke said it all: ‘Don’t worry any longer. We intend to shoulder the burden for you.’ We did face many challenges on our way, but we are extremely happy to have had abcnova as a partner to ride the waves with us.

YOU ACHIEVE MORE AS A TEAM “Everyone within the team is focused on specific tasks and contributes specific knowledge, but the real strength lies in bundling all of those disciplines and reinforcing each other.

The results we envisioned are achieved as a team. In our trade it can be difficult to know the exact scope of our work in advance. Improvisation skills, flexibility and a healthy dose of determination are therefore vital to success. We want to grow by engaging in long-term relationships with like-minded partners. Someone recommended abcnova to us, and to this day we’re very happy that he did. We are currently fully involved in the development of our new hotel in the Houthaven. The entire project had to be developed from scratch. It is a new challenge, one that we hope to implement successfully in partnership with abcnova.

abcnova distinguishes itself by its relentless efforts to successfully complete our hotels. Over the years, we have come to appreciate them as a vital member of our team.”

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Mixed-use buildings

THE CITY OF THE FUTURE BOUNDARIES ARE FADING; LIVING, WORKING AND RECREATION ARE INCREASINGLY OVERLAPPING EACH OTHER. MIXED-USE BUILDINGS, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS MICROCITIES, ARE QUICK TO RESPOND TO THIS TREND. “THE NEED FOR MIXED-USE BUILDINGS STEMS FROM A SPECIFIC LIFESTYLE”, EXPLAINS DRISS AARAB, MANAGING PARTNER AT ABCNOVA. “DEVELOPMENT TODAY IS NO LONGER ONLY ABOUT DEVELOPING PROPERTIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF SELLING IT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE FOR THE HIGHEST PRICE. THE VALUATION OF REAL ESTATE, ESPECIALLY INNER CITY REAL ESTATE, IS OFTEN DETERMINED BY THE SOFTER ASPECTS, SOMETHING THAT MANY CHOOSE TO IGNORE. OFFICE BUILDINGS OR RESIDENTIAL COMPLEXES ARE BEING DEVELOPED WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT LIFE STYLES AND NEEDS. THESE ARE MISSED OPPORTUNITIES.”

Copyright: A2 Studio's

CONTACT “We live in a very prosperous country, a country in which you can live well without help from others. At the same time, we are in contact with the entire world, but only from behind our computers and mobile phones. With this lifestyle you run the risk of isolation. MicroCities allow people to interact with each other and they will appreciate the value of these interactions.

The experience people have in a MicroCity plays a very important role in this respect. The concept is already very successful abroad, and I am sure the same will happen in the Netherlands.”

EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE According to Driss Aarab, the complexity of creating a MicroCity is not the actual realization.

“Everything is possible!”, “The challenge lies primarily in the fear of the unknown. A clear vision and objective by the owner and the municipal policies are of vital importance. Municipalities should provide more public directives, this would increase the level of interaction between their inhabitants. When we are involved from the initial phase, we will be able to share our knowledge and vision of MicroCities with our client. Not every location is suitable for such an undertaking, but I do believe

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it's a unique chance to respond to the needs of users as well as make a contribution on a social and economic level.”

THE POWER OF CROSS-POLLINATION “abcnova offers every possible discipline, from area development to supervision to project management and everything inbetween. In view of the diversity of our clients and the enormous variety of projects managed by us, we can safely say that we have done it all. By sharing our knowledge with our clients we add value to the development of MicroCities where healthcare, shops, retail, hotels and housing sometimes come together."

RELIABLE GUIDANCE “Managing a MicroCity development in terms of process, concept, progress, expenses and planning requires a capacity to communicate at all levels. You have to deal with everyone, from municipal authorities, clients and developers to contractors and architects. Maintaining such intensive communications is not easy, but it has to be done.

We go to great lengths to shoulder the burden of our clients and make the project successful. We operate ‘under the radar’, allowing the client to shine. If you do that successfully enough, you establish a long-term relationship, which is exactly what we want; enjoying constructive, long-lasting partnerships in which you make each other stronger."

THE PLATFORM A prime example of such a project is ‘The Platform’ in Utrecht. A well-known location for us given the fact that abcnova oversaw the development and realization of the City Hall and the public transport terminal that are connected to it. The Platform consists of apartments, in both the sales and rental market, with additional facilities. This MicroCity is being designed in accordance with the highest sustainability principles of BREEAM. In the tendering phase, abcnova provided legal assistance and also negotiated the leasehold with the municipal authorities. We provided recommendations in the contracting phase, drafted the contracts, assisted in contract negotiations with the contractor and finalized a collaboration agreement with all of the stakeholders within the district. abcnova was involved from the tendering phase right up to completion and inauguration, in which it opted for an approach based on the Integral Project Management model (IPM). This model distinguishes five processes to which the roles of Project Manager, Process Manager, Contract Manager or Technical Manager/Environment Manager are allocated.

Copyright: Luuk Kramer

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Real estate ACCORDING TO…

resolves challenging real estate issues

AT ABCNOVA, WE WORK AS AN AMBITIOUS, HIGHLY DEDICATED TEAM. EACH TEAM MEMBER IS PASSIONATE AND HAS A VISION. ABCNOVA OFFERS EVERY POSSIBLE DISCIPLINE, FROM AREA DEVELOPMENT TO CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN. IN VIEW OF THE

KEES TOL

DIVERSITY OF OUR CLIENTS AND THE ENORMOUS VARIETY OF PROJECTS MANAGED BY US, WE CAN SAFELY SAY THAT WE HAVE DONE IT ALL.

I joined abcnova as a junior and they gave me the opportunity to develop myself, now I’m a member of the executive management team. Young professionals have the same opportunities today, this makes abcnova a great company to work for.”

MARCEL SMITSHOEK| SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER/FELLOW

“I want to solve challenging real estate issues, working on new initiatives and making them feasible. In my opinion, real estate has to be profitable for the client, but it also has to offer added value for the end users.”

is the connecting factor

MARCEL SMITSHOEK

“I greatly value (re) developments that offer long term value, for both for the investor and the end user. The collaboration and close involvement with the team and the client are the premises within which I work, this motivates me.”

A selection of our team members and their ambitions:

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has a keen eye for the commercial and sustainability processes

goes for creative solutions

, JAN PIESLA

MAUD DEENEN

“Commercial real estate has to be profitable. This starts in the concept phase by determining if a project is feasible, this requires creative solutions. I enjoy dealing with the interests of the different stakeholders while having the clients best interests at heart.”

has the instincts for the realization process

“My passion is developing concepts for commercial real estate projects that offers an integral and sustainable solution for the client and its end user, specifically within inner city developments. These are not only more complex but also involve several different parties. I always look for a sustainable solution with a healthy profit margin.”

goes for quality

COR THEISSLING

PATRICK 'T HOEN

“As a Project Executive, I supervise the entire realization of a project and see to it that processes and quality are being maintained. My goal is to create a team of specialists as quickly as possible at the start of any project.

Construction is teamwork and understanding each other’s qualities makes the whole process run more smoothly.”

“I monitor the quality during the construction phase of a project.

In this role I contribute to the project in a way which allows the occupants to work or live in a high-standard, beautiful and sustainable building. The building has to be constructed to the technical highest standards in order to keep the operating costs as low as possible, thereby increasing profitability for the client.”

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