NICE receives capital injection from Focus Real Estate

Press Release | dated July 4, 2023

Wood construction developer NICE Developers capital injection from Focus Real Estate, strengthening its leading position

NICE Developers, SAWA's leading timber construction developer in Rotterdam, is pleased to announce that with Focus Real Estate joining as a co-shareholder, the foundation has been laid to realize more stacked housing projects in timber "NICE Buildingsand to accelerate growth and implementation.

Focus Real Estate is a leading real estate investor with a portfolio of sustainable and innovative real estate projects. They are actively involved in promoting sustainability in the real estate sector and supporting visionary developers such as NICE Developers.

Award-winning SAWA forms the basis of collaboration

The collaboration between the two parties came about after Focus Real Estate purchased 70 (mid-range) rental properties in NICE Developers prestigious SAWA project, known as "the healthiest building in the Netherlands." SAWA, a 50-meter-high wooden residential building, has already received much international recognition in the real estate and architecture sector and is praised for its high degree of innovation and architectural quality. The construction of SAWA is currently in full swing. Recently, during the PROVADA in June, Minister Hugo de Jonge expressed his admiration and enthusiasm for the SAWA Rotterdam project.

Circular NICE Buildings offers sustainable alternative

By joining forces, NICE Developers is entering NICE Developers new phase in its growth trajectory and will stimulate the further development of the innovative timber construction concept. The collaboration between NICE Developers Focus Real Estate marks an important milestone for both parties and is a promising step in the evolution of the timber construction sector. They are determined to work together to realize circular, green stacked residential buildings made of wood that are CO₂ store rather than emit and thus meet the growing demand for “Paris-Proof” buildings.

The capital injection from Focus Real Estate is an important milestone for NICE Developers recognition of the value and potential of future NICE Buildings," said Robert Winkel, co-founder of NICE Developers alongside Mark Compeer. "We are delighted to be working with Focus Real Estate and to leverage their expertise to NICE Buildings more NICE Buildings and strengthen our position in the market.

With this collaboration, both parties express their confidence not only in each other, but also in the potential of the NICE Buildings as a sustainable alternative to traditional construction methods, due to the many advantages it offers, including a shorter development period, lower costs, and a positive impact on the climate, partly due to CO₂ storage.

The collaboration with NICE Developers perfectly with our vision of sustainability and innovation in the real estate sector," says Freek Boeijen, Managing Partner at Focus Real Estate. "We are impressed by SAWA and its translation into NICE Buildings the advantages it offers in terms of sustainability, efficiency, and aesthetics. We are confident that this collaboration will lead to more groundbreaking projects and have a positive impact on the real estate market."

Better living for people and climate

With the recent increase in demand for sustainable and circular construction solutions, NICE Developers has positioned NICE Developers as a pioneer in the timber construction sector with innovative timber construction techniques to create circular and attractive buildings that contribute to a better climate and a healthier living environment for people and animals.
Together, they look to the future with confidence and see the collaboration as a catalyst for further growth and success. With their combined expertise and commitment to sustainability, they are determined to continue to raise the bar in the timber construction sector and make the built environment greener and better for people, neighborhoods, and the climate.

Expansion of locations for affordable housing

NICE Developers actively seeking suitable locations for the development of more projects such as SAWA. The NICE Buildings also offers opportunities for the social sector and the mid-range rental sector. There is high demand for affordable housing in this sustainable segment, which is why they are seeking to collaborate with municipalities, market parties, and cooperatives.

In the photo, from left to right: Mark Compeer from NICE Developers, Freek Boeijen and Frans Staals from Focus Real Estate, and Robert Winkel from NICE Developers.