Houthoff continues to be a leading force for real estate matters in the Netherlands, assisting both international and domestic real estate developers, investors, construction companies and banks. The firm is known for its comprehensive practice, which covers all types of property, such as residential, retail, offices, industrial and hospitality. The team handles real estate transactions, development projects, acquisitions and joint ventures, and is headed up by Herman Lohman, who excels in complex real estate transaction mandates, including cross-border issues and redevelopments. He is joined by a team of notaries: Jan Cees Kuiken is the go-to for advising Dutch and international banks, pension funds and developers on transactions; Lucas Louwerier handles commercial and corporate real estate matters; and Dolf De Jong focuses on project development and corporation agreements for purchase and sale, as well as property law structuring. Anna Wijnans was promoted to partner in January 2023 and focuses on international real estate transactions as well as commercial tenancy law.
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‘Houthoff is able to offer a dedicated team with mainly one point of contact to maintain the overview. We choose Houthoff because they have the capacity to deliver all specific competences for very complex deals. A fast and pragmatic approach is essential and the team is well aware of that necessity. Furthermore they are capable (and Dolf de Jong specifically) of summmarising complex matters to the essence in a short and concise manner.’
‘Dolf de Jong is extremely good in context and overview, in combination with a commercial vision. He has created a very strong team, in his absence matters are also taken care of in a very professional way. We also consult Dolf when it concerns very complicated contractual matters as a counsel in combination with the team of lawyers.’
‘Houthoff was not just our legal counsel whilst investing in the Netherlands, but they really act as a partner and dealmaker. This is the extra and special touch which we are always looking for ’
‘The Houthoff team members are perfectly guided by their partner Herman Lohmann and every team member knows and understands exactly what to do. We experienced with them a very smooth and successful way of negotiating and closing several deals.’
‘The team is collaborative, practical and solution-oriented. They understand their client's interests and wishes and ensure that these are taken care of on a legal level.’
‘Dolf de Jong is a very open, active and knowledgeable notary.'
‘The practice is locally embedded but has a distinctive reputation both nationally and internationally. The firm falls back on a strong and diversified team that masters all facets within the real estate sector. In addition, all these facets are brought together in a centralised consultancy. The practice is also capable of cooperating with other law firms regarding cross-border aspects of cases.’
‘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.’
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Jan Cees specialises in real estate transactions, city centre redevelopment and turnkey projects. He also an expert in real estate-related company law, including the acquisition of real estate companies, the creation of CV/BV structures and other real estate-related collaborations. His clients are mainly national, international and institutional investors and developers, to whom he provides not only legal but also strategic advice.
Leading individuals
Herman is co-head of the Real Estate practice group. He advises mainly international institutional investors and funds as well as large Dutch project developers. Herman assists clients with a broad range of real estate transactions, including real estate M&A, financing, project development, and the real estate aspects of business transactions and restructuring. Herman also gives advice on setting up investment vehicles and joint ventures, with a special focus on the international market and the most challenging, complex and high-profile matters, such as transactions and projects involving multiple jurisdictions. Herman is a member of the Dutch Association of Real Estate Lawyers and the Dutch Commercial Law Association.
Lucas specialises in notarial real estate law. His clients include institutional investors, private equity investors, pension funds and project developers, which he assists with matters such as commercial real estate transactions, project development, real estate financing and real estate-related contracts. Lucas is a member of the Royal Dutch Association of Civil-law Notaries, the Master of Real Estate (MRE) Alumni Society, and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (the international network for real estate professionals). Lucas is a member of Houthoff's Executive Committee.
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Herman Lohman