CONTACT US
Share: Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn I recommend visiting cushmanwakefield.com to read:%0A%0A {0} %0A%0A {1}
AdobeStock_236656868_Astrid van der Poel.jpg AdobeStock_236656868_Astrid van der Poel.jpg

Industries & Sectors

Defence Real Estate

Real estate serves as a tool for society. From various functions, a ‘battle’ for space has already been underway; it is ironic that geopolitical conflict is now the reason why Defence has an increased need for space.

The growing security threats to the Netherlands mean that the size of the Defence workforce will increase by 32% by 2030, according to the 'State of Defence' report published this spring. This represents an expansion of historic proportions. As the number of personnel rises sharply, Defence’s need for space also increases significantly—whether for working, living, training, production, or storage of equipment. The total Defence budget for 2024 has been set at €21.4 billion, of which €826.8 million is specifically allocated to infrastructure and real estate. Defence plans to create additional space for military purposes at a minimum of 31 locations, including barracks, ammunition depots, and airfields. To meet the growing demand, strategic planning and efficient use of space are essential.

SPATIAL CHALLENGES FOR DEFENCE:

  • Retaining and attracting personnel in the current tight labour market: A key reason for military personnel and civilians to leave is the balance between work, travel time, and home life. Strategic location choices can help retain and attract talent.
  • Investing in knowledge, innovation, and technology: There is a need for enhanced and smarter European and international cooperation in joint production and supply. The Netherlands plays a leading role in expanding and deepening this collaboration, investing further in knowledge development, technology advancements, and innovations. Proximity to research institutions, innovative companies, and technology firms is crucial.
  • Scarcity of resources and rising costs: Defence aims to scale up significantly in terms of personnel, accommodation, and equipment. Sufficient production capacity is essential, with the manufacturing sector playing an important role as a strategic partner.
  • Ageing infrastructure: In today’s rapidly changing world, accommodation preferences evolve as well. Defence real estate comprises 50% of all national government property. By the end of 2022, there were approximately 11,000 buildings with an average age of 40 years, covering around six million square metres. In addition to expansion, modernisation of existing facilities is also necessary.

EXPERTISE

At Cushman & Wakefield, we work daily on accommodation solutions for organisations. With operations spanning nine regions and multiple disciplines, we are frequently consulted by the Public Sector. For Defence, we offer the following services:

  • Quality benchmarking
    • Our data-driven models map the quality of all buildings and areas in the Netherlands. For the expansion of Defence’s portfolio, building quality can be assessed based on its current function. If the quality is below market demand, this presents an opportunity for Defence. Our quality benchmark enables direct comparison between buildings based on identical characteristics. 
  • Feasibility analyses
    • Assessing possible programming for land plots and existing buildings while evaluating financial feasibility. 
  • Strategic accommodation advice
    • Identifying which buildings and sites in the Netherlands align with Defence’s needs for living, working, training, production, and storage.
    • Determining the most suitable accommodation to retain and attract talent. 
  • Technical accommodation advice
    • Providing guidance on sustainability improvements and modernisation of buildings, defining requirements for new constructions, and overseeing building projects. 
  • Valuations
    • Calculating land prices and appraising properties. 
  • Compulsory purchase advisory
    • Preparing advisory and valuation reports for land expropriation.

Meet the team

Laurens van der Schoor
Laurens van der Schoor

Associate (EMEA Grade - Associate)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands


Download VCard

Jos Hesselink new
Jos Hesselink

Associate - Research Lead (EMEA Grade - Associate)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands


Download VCard

Martijn Veen
Martijn Veen

Partner - Lead I&L
Eindhoven, The Netherlands


Download VCard

Paul Smolenaers
Paul Smolenaers

Partner - Lead V&A Alternatives (EMEA Grade - Partner)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands


Download VCard

Frank
Frank van der Sluys

Partner - Head of Strategic Consulting - Head of Client Development
Amsterdam, The Netherlands


Download VCard

Anouk Donkervoort
Anouk Donkervoort

Head of ESG and Sustainability (EMEA Grade - Senior Surveyor)
Utrecht, The Netherlands


Download VCard

FEATURED INDUSTRIES

Logistics & Industrial
In the fast-evolving sector, occupiers and owners benefit from our versatile representation expertise throughout the supply channel.
Learn More
Public Sector
From a multidisciplinary team, we advise the public sector as a spatial policymaker, as a user of real estate and as owner of real estate.
Learn More
Healthcare
Our Healthcare clients have a unique advantage: a global network of experts that optimize portfolios to better support their healthcare missions and business objectives.
Learn more

CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?

Get in touch with one of our professionals.
With your permission we and our partners would like to use cookies in order to access and record information and process personal data, such as unique identifiers and standard information sent by a device to ensure our website performs as expected, to develop and improve our products, and for advertising and insight purposes.

Alternatively click on More Options and select your preferences before providing or refusing consent. Some processing of your personal data may not require your consent, but you have a right to object to such processing.

You can change your preferences at any time by returning to this site or clicking on Cookies.
MORE OPTIONS
Agree and Close
These cookies ensure that our website performs as expected,for example website traffic load is balanced across our servers to prevent our website from crashing during particularly high usage.
These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or the region you are in) and provide enhanced features. These cookies do not gather any information about you that could be used for advertising or remember where you have been on the internet.
These cookies allow us to work with our marketing partners to understand which ads or links you have clicked on before arriving on our website or to help us make our advertising more relevant to you.
Agree All
Reject All
SAVE SETTINGS