Bouwinvest Dutch Residential Fund Buys 190 Apartments in Haarlem

Bouwinvest’s Dutch Residential Fund has acquired 190 apartments in the centre of Schalkwijk, a suburb to the southeast of Haarlem, from one of the Netherlands’ leading builders Dura Vermeer. The housing complex has an above-average level of energy efficiency and is part of Elements, a new development that aims to transform the neighbourhood, with its relatively large proportion of social housing, into a mix of rent-regulated accommodation, mid-market rental units as well as owner-occupied homes.

A total of 3,600 new homes will be built in the area as part of a larger “Green District” development to create a leafy mixed-use urban neighbourhood. Located about 15 kilometres to the west of Amsterdam, the 190 private-sector rental apartments Bouwinvest is buying are part of a wider project including 114 owner-occupied homes, 1,700 sqm of commercial space and 283 parking spaces in a “Mobility Hub” that provides car and bicycle sharing facilities. Dura Vermeer is also redeveloping an existing office building on the site that was formerly occupied by engineering firm Fluor. The design is by Elefant Architects.

Michiel de Bruine, Director Dutch Residential Investments, said: "Schalkwijk has a large supply of social housing but very little in the mid- and upmarket segments. The Elements project aims to create a more diverse supply of housing which will lead to the type of mixed-use neighbourhood that we believe is future-proof."

Marijke Nas, director of Dura Vermeer Bouw Midden West, added:  "The Netherlands continues to face a huge shortage of housing and we are pleased to partner with Bouwinvest as part of our goal to help alleviate future demand through new developments." 

The apartments Bouwinvest has acquired were designed by Koschuch Architects and MeesVisser.  Their above-average level of sustainability is due to the installation of an individual heat pump per unit, triple glazing and solar panels, among others. The development is scheduled for completion in the second or third quarter of 2023.

Mobility Hub

In addition to parking spaces for residents and visitors, a 'Smart Dock' will be created in the Mobility Hub for a large number of shared cars and bicycles in response to rising demand for car sharing, sometimes in combination with travel by bicycle or public transport, as more and more people become aware of their carbon footprint. The Mobility Hub will also accommodate a neighbourhood café and flexible office, as well as a service point for picking up and dropping off parcels.