Real estate private equity firm HighBrook Investors has secured long-term refinancing for its Amsterdam office portfolio 'The Collection'. Berlin Hyp, part of the LBBW Group, acted as arranger and lender, providing a loan facility of EUR 154.5 million with a term of up to five years. The funds provided primarily serve to refinance existing debt and enable HighBrook to retain ownership of the portfolio and continue actively managing the assets.
'The Collection' portfolio was established in partnership between HighBrook Investors and REB Projects. It comprises ten prime office properties situated in prestigious locations across the Dutch capital. The properties are characterised by their historic architecture, which has been combined with modern working environments as part of targeted repositioning initiatives. Occupiers of the buildings gain cross-building access to shared amenities, such as meeting rooms, lounges and fitness areas, via a membership model.
Focus on value creation and institutional confidence
Robert Giusti, Partner and Head of Europe at HighBrook Investors, emphasised that the collection reflects the firm's strategy of unlocking sustainable value through the repositioning and active management of historic assets in prime locations. The combination of historic character and modern amenities has created a distinctive market offering, he noted. According to Giusti, the successful closing of the loan agreement with Berlin Hyp also demonstrates the continued confidence of institutional lenders in high-quality office properties in prime locations.
The financing follows two recent transactions in the Amsterdam market completed via off-market sales. In September, HighBrook sold the approximately 10,000 square metre property 'Pand Noord' in Amsterdam North to a Dutch investor, following its upgrade and integration into the portfolio. In addition, the firm disposed of the 'Hoogte Kadijk' asset in central Amsterdam, which comprises 1,363 square metres of office space and was acquired in December 2019. The buyer was a private investor.
Key transaction data and parties involved
- —Financing volume: EUR 154.5 million provided by Berlin Hyp (LBBW Group)
- —Facility term: Up to five years for restructuring and active asset management
- —Portfolio: Ten historic office properties under 'The Collection' brand in Amsterdam
- —Previous disposals: Pand Noord (approx. 10,000 sq m) and Hoogte Kadijk (1,363 sq m)
Both sales highlight the firm's active portfolio management approach of selectively monetising assets following successful value enhancement. Law firm Loyens & Loeff advised HighBrook Investors on the structuring of the refinancing as well as on the preceding transaction processes.
