Ballast Nedam Development has entered into a turnkey agreement with Altera Management B.V., on behalf of the Altera Residential Fund, for the sale of 65 mid-market rental apartments in Horizons Amsterdam, a sustainability icon. Horizons is being developed in Sluisbuurt, a new urban district within Amsterdam’s ring road, and has been designed by Paul de Ruiter Architects and FLUX Landscape Architects. Construction is being carried out by Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling. Horizons is the result of a highly ambitious sustainability vision that is leading in many respects. Horizons generates more energy than it consumes, purifies water, stores CO2 in its building materials and, as a first in the Netherlands, is now also selling the first Carbon Credits as part of the real estate investment.
With this sale, a new step has been taken in the realization of Horizons. The project brings together affordable living, urban quality and sustainability in a prominent location in Amsterdam. In doing so, Horizons is taking further shape as a future-proof development in Sluisbuurt. The sale also underlines institutional investors’ confidence in highly sustainable apartment complexes and contributes to the expansion of the mid-market rental segment in Amsterdam.
Onno Dwars, CEO of Ballast Nedam Development: “With Horizons, we show that sustainable construction and high-quality homes go hand in hand. The fact that these apartments are now being acquired turnkey by Altera confirms that there is strong confidence in residential concepts that are not only future-proof, but that also truly add value to the city.”
Jaap van der Bijl, CEO of Altera: “With this investment, we are not only adding sustainable and future-proof homes to our residential portfolio, but also helping to address the significant demand for affordable housing in Amsterdam. Horizons fits well with our ambition to invest in high-quality homes that contribute to a strong housing market and a pleasant living environment for residents.”
Horizons, the sustainability icon of the future
Horizons is an innovative building that sets a new standard for the future of sustainable construction, with a positive contribution to the climate. The building is energy-positive, generating more energy than it consumes, and purifies and reuses water within the building through the Botanical Atrium. Through the use of timber and other biobased materials, the building stores CO2. Horizons also features various rooftop landscapes, ranging from energy production to shared rooftop gardens that encourage collectivity and social interaction. With its mix of housing types, from mid-market rental apartments to owner-occupied homes in the private sector, Horizons demonstrates that the city has a place for everyone.
Circular solutions and a positive impact on people and nature
Horizons is being realized using smart and circular solutions, including timber structures and Kerto-Ripa floors, which contribute to flexibility and a lower environmental impact. The use of concrete has been minimized, and where it was unavoidable for reasons such as safety, strength and load-bearing capacity, circular concrete was chosen. The design focuses on efficient material use and long-term future value. The carefully designed rooftop gardens are seen as the new standard in urban parks and form a natural part of a healthy and attractive urban living environment, contributing positively both to biodiversity in the city and to the physical and mental health of residents.
A Dutch first in residential real estate investment: Carbon Credits gain economic value
An important part of Horizons is the storage of CO2 in the building materials. Through the use of timber and other biobased materials, CO2 is captured and stored in the building over the long term. In collaboration with the Climate Cleanup Foundation, this stored CO2 can be translated into Carbon Credits, making the building’s sustainable impact both measurable and economically valuable. Part of the acquisition of the mid-market rental apartments includes the purchase of these Carbon Credits, making Horizons a first for residential real estate investments in the Netherlands for Altera. In this way, Horizons demonstrates how real estate can also make an active contribution to climate objectives at this macro-economic level.
Part of Sluisbuurt
Horizons is being developed in Sluisbuurt, a new sustainable urban district within Amsterdam’s ring road where living, working and amenities come together. With this project, the district gains an iconic and future-oriented residential building that contributes to the further development of Amsterdam. The owner-occupied homes within Horizons will also go on sale later this year.
