Blue Horizon Investors has successfully refinanced Blaak 16

15-8, 2023

Blue Horizon Investors, owner of the office building Blaak 16 in Rotterdam, has successfully arranged a refinance with BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA for a new senior facility.

Berlin Hyp was fully repaid. Since acquisition in 2018, the Blaak 16 building has shown very stable and predictable performance by way of rental growth and occupancy. 

Blue Horizon Investors is a long-term investor aiming on improving their assets by any means possible.

Obtaining a refinance, acquiring full ownership of the plot of land as well as bringing the building to a next level in the field of ESG support this strategy.

Equity Estate acquires two retail assets in the city centre of The Hague

15-8, 2023

Equity Estate Holding has acquired – through one of its subsidiaries - two A1-retail assets located at Venestraat 50-52 in the historic city centre of The Hague.

The assets are leased to Blue Tomato and Gusti Leder. This A1-shopping area is characterized by the diversity of (inter)national retail formulas combined with smaller boutiques, art galleries and a wide range of catering establishments.

Together with the Wagenstraat the Venestraat forms an important shopping axis with Uniqlo, H&M and Zara, amongst others closeby.

Blue Tomato is an international formula for snowboard, ski, surf, skate & streetwear with physical shops in six countries and a strong online platform. In the Netherlands, besides The Hague, it also has branches in Amsterdam, Haarlem and Utrecht. Other cities expected to open soon.

Gusti Leder is a German (online) retailer of exclusive leather goods and opened its first physical shop in the Netherlands last year in The Hague.
Gusti Leder now has several stores in Amsterdam, The Hague and Haarlem.

The assets comprise in total some 520 sqm of lettable area, retail space on the ground floor and the upper floors are used for storage.

Both assets are leased based on long-term lease contracts. The acquisition price amounted to EUR 2,800,000 net to vendor.

Seller was advised by Retail Capital and Equity Estate was advised by Brickstone.

First social space in Crossover sold

5-6, 2023

Amsterdam, 5 June 2023 - Equity Estate and AM announce the delivery of one of the two social units to Clinic for Maxillofacial en Cosmetic Surgery in CROSSOVER in Amsterdam.

In February 2023, parties signed a contract regarding the sale of the social area  of approx. 250 sqm on the ground floor. Following the delivery of the commercial space mid-May, the social space was delivered on 1 June.

BDR THERMEA GROUP rents office space at CROSSOVER Amsterdam

4-6, 2023

Amsterdam, 30 May 2023 - Equity Estate and AM announce the signing of a long-term lease in CROSSOVER, a high quality and sustainable building situated at the Zuidas  in Amsterdam, the prime CBD of the Netherlands. International firm BDR THERMEA GROUP has signed an agreement for the top floor of 643 sq m of office space and 4 parking spaces. The strategic location and high sustainability ambitions were of decisive importance for BDR TERMEA GROUP.

CROSSOVER, next to Terrace Tower and nhow Hotelcontributes to the development of Kop Zuidas  into a vibrant and sustainable district. The construction started in February 2021 and delivery of CROSSOVER has been completed half May. CROSSOVER has already received a so called BREAAM-NL ‘outstanding’ certificate, a bold sustainable achievement for a mixed-use building, and a WELL Core certification. The building is, among other things, energy neutral, with energy label A++++ and EU Taxonomy aligned. 

BDR THERMEA GROUP is an international firm specializing in the manufacture and distribution of smart thermal comfort solutions with a near-zero carbon footprint to building owners and users. They develop innovative products and services that save energy and cut carbon emissions. Their connected and integrated technologies enable the global shift towards fully sustainable energy carriers. Serving customers in more than 100 countries worldwide. BDR THERMEA GROUP employs 6,100 people across the globe with a head office is in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands.

CROSSOVER is a 50-50% joint venture between area developer AM and Equity Estate, launched in March 2021 for the development of a mixed-use building with 1 apartments and approx. 11,000 sqm of offices and a bar/restaurant.

DRS Makelaars and JLL acted as advisor on behalf of the joint venture.

Crossover office delivered to Pinsent Masons Netherlands LLP

1-6, 2023

Amsterdam, 1 June 2023 - Equity Estate and AM announce the delivery of the office space to international law firm Pinsent Masons Netherlands LLP.

In September 2022 Pinsent Masons LLP signed a lease agreement for 1,556 sqm of office space and 10 parking spaces. Among other things the strategic location, high ESG level of office spaces and exclusive roof terrace attracted Pinsent Masons Netherlands LLP to this building.

CROSSOVER, a landmark building near Hotel nhow Amsterdam RAI and next to Terrace Tower, provides a new impulse to the eastern part of the South Axis. This means that the Kop Zuidas sub-area will continue to develop into a vibrant and sustainable district in the coming years. The construction started in February 2021 and delivery of the commercial space of CROSSOVER took place mid-May 2023. CROSSOVER has already received a BREAAM-NL Outstanding, energy label A++++ a bold sustainable achievement for a mixed-use building. The building is, among other things, energy neutral and EU Taxonomy aligned. 

Pinsent Masons LLP is an international law firm specializing in energy, infrastructure, financial services, real estate and advanced manufacturing and technology sectors. It is one of the top 100 law firms in the world.

Other tenants in the building are STX Commodities and BDR Thermae Group.

First new lease in Square 44, Europalaan Utrecht

25-5, 2023

First new lease in Square 44, Europalaan Utrecht

Tulp Training is the first new tenant for approx. 500 sqm in Square 44 at Europalaan in Utrecht.

Tulp Training is a reputable language training institute with multiple locations in the Netherlands.

Square 44 is a multi-tenant office building offering flexible lease terms, turnkey office space and fixed service charges.

The size of the building amounts to 17,000 sqm with 300 parking spaces and is located in the Merwede Kanaal Zone, section 6.

The area will transform into a vibrant working, recreation and living quarter in the near future.

Ans de Wijn and CBRE are the brokers for the Square 44 building.

For more information: https://www.square44.nl/

The commercial spaces in CROSSOVER in Amsterdam South Axis have been delivered

25-5, 2023

The commercial spaces in CROSSOVER in Amsterdam South Axis have been delivered

After more than two years of construction, and on schedule, the stunning CROSSOVER office building has been delivered by BAM Wonen Speciale Projecten. The offices score high on both comfort, health, and sustainability; the energy-neutral office building will soon boast a BREEAM Outstanding label, WELL Silver Certificate and an Energy A++++ label. CROSSOVER is a design by Team V Architects.

CROSSOVER, a collaboration between AM and Equity Estate, is located on the South Axis, near the A10 South exit and the Europaboulevard. It is a multifunctional building consisting of almost 11,000 sqm of office space, social spaces and a restaurant, and 130 flats. Lieven De Key will become the owner of 120 flats, which are expected to be delivered in June 2023. CROSSOVER gives a new impetus to the east side of the South Axis and contributes to the further development of this part of the South Axis into a lively and sustainable environment.

Now that the building has been completed, the tenants can get to work Meanwhile, STX Commodities, Pinsent Masons and BDR Thermae have committed to the office spaces as tenants.

Equity Estate achieves EPC label jump from C to A+

23-5, 2023

The Quarter Podium office building in Amsterdam Sloterdijk, has leapt from an energy label C to a whopping energy label A+.

Quarter Podium is part of the Quarter Offices portfolio, which also includes Quarter Plaza and Quarter Avenue. With the improvement of Quarter Podium's energy label, the entire Quarter Offices portfolio has been awarded at least energy label A.

Equity Estate aims to continuously improve the portfolio and has the ambition to certify all three Quarter Offices with a BREEAM Very-Good label.

Touch Incentive leases in Blaak 16 in Rotterdam

23-5, 2023

Equity Estate has signed a long-term agreement with Touch Incentive for the lease of approximately 900 sqm (l.f.a.) of office space located on the 1st floor and 9 parking spaces at a rent of EUR 240 per sqm for the office space.

BLAAK16 is located in the creative district of Rotterdam and borders the city centre and the Old Harbour. The location is easily accessible by car and public transport. The building has a parking garage and NS railway station Blaak is at 1-minute walking distance from the building.

Dating from the 1970s, the office building underwent a major renovation in 2018. The facades and all installations were completely renewed at that time. The building scores very well in terms of ESG. The building has a thermal energy storage system, solar panels, charging stations and is certified with an energy label A+, BREAAM Excellent and a WELL Gold certificate. This high-quality office building is thus qualitatively among the top office buildings in the Rotterdam office market. Which partly underwrites the rent level of the lease transaction. BLAAK16 has several communal facilities, including a communal meeting and conference centre and a roof terrace on the 11th floor. Other services of BLAAK16 are a reception area with coffee bar operated by Frame Offices, meeting space on the 11th floor as well as a meeting space on the mezzanine floor and a central entrance with double height.

“The high-quality finish in combination with the available ESG certificates have contributed greatly to the good lettability of this office floor. This shows that the demand for high-quality office space at A locations is very much in demand” said real estate consultant BRiQ Real Estate.

Touch Network is a leading company formed from the merger of Touch Incentive Marketing, Touch TVCC and Jibe Commerce and Sparco Loyalty Solutions. Touch specialises in developing promotions, savings programs and employee benefits, supported by specific software solutions. Equity Estate is delighted with Touch Incentive's arrival at BLAAK16.

"For Touch Incentive, we were looking for a new location for our head office that matches our identity, organisation and employees.

BLAAK16 answers in all areas. Strategic location in Rotterdam, sustainable, easily accessible by public transport, good parking facilities, inspiring office design and many attractive facilities in the immediate vicinity for our employees and business relations.

The new head office at BLAAK16 will contribute positively to the further growth and development of Touch Incentive!"
Dennis R. van Den Berg Founder & CEO Touch Incentive

Touch Network was accompanied by MD project partner. Equity Estate was assisted in the completion of this transaction by BRiQ Real Estate.

Four leases have been extended in Quarter Offices Portfolio in Q1 2023

11-4, 2023

In the first quarter of 2023, Equity Estate has extended four leases in the Quarter Offices Portfolio. This relates to some 3,500 sqm in total. Calco, tenant in Quarter Podium, leasing almost 2,000 sqm has agreed to a long-term extension. Also, the lease agreement with Robert Half has been renewed. Furthermore, the lease with Matrixian, tenant in Quarter Plaza, has been extended as well as the lease with Tax at Work, leasing office space in Quarter Avenue. 

In the same period Equity Estate is pushing the ESG level of all office buildings and has improved the Energy Label of Quarter Podium to A+.