Real Estate & Construction

The team at Kennedy Van der Laan advises on all stages of the life cycle of real estate projects from area development, due diligence and the acquisition of property, through redevelopment and construction, to property management and leasing, as well as the disposal of property. The firm's 'deep insight into the business model of hotel operators' gives it particular expertise in the hospitality sector. The recent arrival of Anita Nijboer from Ekelmans & Meijer Advocaten strengthens the practice's ability to assist with environmental and zoning matters. Richard-Jan Roks and Nico Jacobs jointly head the practice, which also includes senior associate Anne-Christine Keuning, who 'has profound legal knowledge and looks into matters very diligently and thoughtfully'.

‘Good mix.‘

‘Team leader has deep insight into the business model of hotel operators.‘

‘Although we work with several people from Kennedy Van der Laan in various cases, I have the feeling that everybody on the team is fully aware of the issues going on and helps each other. This means that the communication within the team is very good and efficient and that team work is not only a slogan but is put into action.‘

The Kennedy Van der Laan environment and planning team cover spatial administrative, environmental, and nature conservation law. The firm advises Dutch municipalities on areas such as the construction of wind farms and the realization of business parks. Practice head Anita Nijboer is particularly active in environment and permitting law and is assisting various municipalities with the development of business parks.

Kennedy Van der Laan advises all parties in construction matters, from contractors and developers to large corporates, handling all aspects of work from the initial tender phase through to turn-key purchase agreements and post-construction litigation and arbitration. The practice is jointly headed by Richard-Jan Roks, who is highly regarded for procurement and contract matters, and Nico Jacobs, who is especially strong in the hospitality sector.

The real estate group at Kennedy Van der Laan is made up of 'young and very motivated lawyers who are different to the other big firms; their approach is unconventional and so are their legal solutions.' Nico Jacobs and Richard-Jan Roks head the team and senior associate Anne-Christine Keuning is identified as a 'skilled negotiator who is positive and efficient in getting deals done'. The team has an established clientele in the hotel, leisure, and healthcare sectors. Recent highlight work includes advising Marriott Hotels International on a range of new hotel projects and also advising Nike Europe on the development of its new European HQ to accommodate more than 2,000 employees.

Kennedy Van der Laan has a track record in the construction sector, including expertise with architecture, real estate, and procurement law and increasingly large commercial projects. Richard Jan Roks and Nico Jacobs co-head the team; Roks has a strong healthcare client roster and Jacobs has a focus on the leisure industry; he advised Wenzhou Tongyong Locks on the purchase agreement and construction matters in respect of the proposed Olympic Hotel in Amsterdam. The team also advised the Port of Amsterdam on solar matters including the procurement procedure and construction contracts in respect of the installation of rooftop solar panels.

Hotels and healthcare are particular strengths of Kennedy Van der Laan’s department. Practice head Nico Jacobs acted for HR Group on its €14m purchase of the Dorint Airport Hotel, and advised the Port of Amsterdam on a land sale worth over €10m. Eline Goemans is recommended for leasing matters.

Noted for its strength in tendering procedures, Kennedy Van der Laan’s practice is particularly active in healthcare-related construction. Practice head Richard-Jan Roks is advising Prinses Maxima Centrum voor Kinderoncologie on the procurement and construction aspects of its new 50,000sqm building. Stichting de Lawei is a construction arbitration client.