Norton Rose Fulbright advises Sofidy on first joint venture and acquisition with Wereldhave in the Netherlands

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised Sofidy on its joint venture with Wereldhave and the acquisition and the financing of the Netherlands-based Stadshart Zoetermeer shopping center and parking garages from Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield.

The acquisition of the shopping center and parking garages represents the first venture between European investment and asset management firm Sofidy, a leading French fund manager part of the Tikehau Group, and Wereldhave.

The Stadshart Zoetermeer shopping center has a total gross lettable area of approximately 59,000 m² (excluding parking). Sofidy funds investing a 85% equity stake and Wereldhave investing a 15 percent equity stake.

Wereldhave will act as the asset, property and leasing manager of the shopping center.

A cross-border team from Norton Rose Fulbright, which was led by Paris-based partner David Lacaze, involving Paris-based tax partner Antoine Colonna, real estate partner Isabelle Augais, tax associate Alexandra Bloch-Manikow and Amsterdam-based real estate and tax teams with inter alios Daphne Broerse and Bart Le Blanc, and in respect of the financing aspects of this transaction, Amsterdam-based counsel Jasper Dijkshoorn, advised Sofidy and Wereldhave throughout the transaction.

David Lacaze, commented:

“The strategic investment in Stadshart Zoetermeer will positively impact the Dutch market, enhancing the shopping center's value and contributing to the economic growth of the region. This transaction brought together skilled lawyers from across the Norton Rose Fulbright network. It was fantastic to support Sofidy throughout the process and help them navigate the complex international legal landscape together with Wereldhave.”

Jasper Dijkshoorn, commented:

“Securing the green loan financing underscores our client’s commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible development. It will support a range of green initiatives across the Zoetermeer shopping center that will deliver a more vibrant, comfortable, and sustainable experience for all who visit.”

The full Norton Rose Fulbright team included:

Amsterdam team

• Head of Amsterdam Saskia Blokland
• Partners Bart Le Blanc, Daphne Broerse, Geert-Jan van Rijthoven and Joris Ravelli
• Counsel Jasper Dijkshoorn, Niels van Loon, Nikolai de Koning, Rogier de Haan and Stefanie Walthaus
• Consultant Jan Lamers
• Senior associates Annemarie VerLoren van Themaat Creutzberg, Joep Duinker, Nivard Witte, Sharon Edoo and Wouter Kolkman
• Associates Amina Šehovi, Daan Goedemoed, Elizabeth Bosman, Enes Altintop, Iris Heins, Leora Wit, Maaike Faase, Marit van den Elshout, Marjolein Lensing and Mark de Haan

Paris team

• Head of Tax, Europe Middle East and Asia Antoine Colonna
• Partner David Lacaze
• Partner Isabelle Augais
• Associate Alexandra Bloch-Manikow