At the origin of Royal Properties Group lies a Dutch family that, over the years, has proven its enormous strenght in the construction business. This family has a heritage in the building and shipping industry that dates back to 1780. Early generations specialized in the construction of wooden river barges in Krommerijn, near Utrecht.
At the origin of Royal Properties Group lies a Dutch family that, over the years, has proven its enormous strenght in the construction business. This family has a heritage in the building and shipping industry that dates back to 1780. Early generations specialized in the construction of wooden river barges in Krommerijn, near Utrecht.
Around 1880, the shipbuilding activity evolved to metal hulls, and the family transferred its know-how of specialized carpentry and technology to the construction of residential houses.
The family left a legacy of estates in Utrecht that are dating from that period, to mention a few: the ”Verenigingsgebouw van de Nederlands Hervormde Gemeente”, the police building ”Tolsteeg” (the present Louis Hartlooper Complex, a ”rijksmonument”), the ”Hervormde lagere school aan het Domplein” (the present Music-school), the bank building at the ”Plompetorengracht” and a ”batterijfabriek” at the ”Amsterdamsestraatweg”.
In the sixties, the 18th century summer palace Vollenhove in Zeist was purchased, from where the family company operated. They developed the expansion of Vollenhove with 2 400 houses, a shopping center and a large office park. Subsequently, ambitious expansion plans resulted in projects in, amongst others, Bitlhoven, Maarsenbroek and in several other major building projects.
This rapid expansion was a key element in the evolution of the family business.
In the seventies and eighties, one of the children continued in his father’s footsteps and started his own development entity in the Benelux, Royal Building NV. The company grew quickly, its main activities being oriented towards residential and office development, most of them being concentrated around Antwerp and Brussels.
After his successful establishment in Belgium, he created a 50/50% joint venture through which Robelco NV was incorporated, having as a purpose to create a first class real estate firm. Robelco NV anticipated the need of office space in Brussels where they focused on the airport and ring road area. Through forward-thinking and creative projects they became one of the largest developers in Belgium.
In this partnership unique talents were combined to create a synergy to develop and bring to success the innovative projects for which Robelco NV had become so renowned for. Meanwhile, the family was on the board of directors of Cofinimmo NV, Belgiums”s leading REIT as well as a major player in the European market.
In 2010 the partnership with Robelco NV came to an end. Consequently the partners developed their own business entities.
The family created two companies:
-The House of Development (developer and construction manager)
-AllYield (property and asset manager).
In 2015 was also the right timing to sell the participation in Tour&Taxi and to divert the investment in the Dutch market, back to the roots of the family.
The Royal Properties Group invested in income generating portfolios, as well as distressed assets and developments. The group was advised in the purchases by Sebald who consequently did the property and asset management. Construction and renovations being coordinated by The House of Development (THD).
Royal Properties Development was created in 2017, to reinforce the presence for developments on the Dutch market.
In 2019, Royal Properties Group bought the remaining shares of Sebald and will therefore do the management of its portfolio through the entity of RPG Asset Management.