SOFIDY, a subsidiary of Tikehau Capital and one of Europe’s leading real estate asset managers, has partnered with Dutch retail specialist Wereldhave to acquire Stadshart Zoetermeer, a prime inner-city shopping destination in the Randstad region of the Netherlands. The €150m acquisition, excluding transfer rights, marks one of the country’s largest recent retail deals and reflects a renewed investor appetite for well-located, income-producing urban assets.
Stadshart Zoetermeer spans 59,000 m² of lettable retail space, with over 110 national and international brands such as Primark, H&M, Media Markt and Albert Heijn. The asset attracts more than 8 million visitors annually and benefits from excellent transport links to The Hague and Rotterdam, both under 15 km away. With a BREEAM environmental certification and integrated offices and car parks, the centre offers both resilience and redevelopment potential in one of the Netherlands’ fastest-growing urban corridors.
As part of the transaction, Sofidy and Wereldhave have entered a long-term operational and capital partnership, with 85% owned by Sofidy-managed funds and 15% by Wereldhave. The Dutch firm will handle operations and repositioning via its LifeCentral strategy, which focuses on enriching shopping centres with essential services and experiential components, to enhance footfall and tenant mix. This approach supports the growing investor interest in mixed-use transformation potential for ageing retail stock.
“This transaction reflects SOFIDY's ability to structure ambitious international investments together with leading partners. It consolidates our position in resilient retail real estate in the heart of major European cities,” said Louis-Frédéric Touati, Director Club Deals at Sofidy. The transaction was structured as a cross-border club deal, bringing together flagship Sofidy funds including Immorente, Sofidynamic and Efimmo1, as well as institutional capital.
What sets this acquisition apart is the financing, a European Taxonomy-compliant Green Loan provided by Rabobank, aligning all parties with long-term sustainability goals. This structure not only supports reduced energy usage and carbon emissions but signals how ESG-compliant debt is becoming a strategic advantage in deal execution. For developers and value-add investors, this signals that green financing is no longer optional, it’s a competitive differentiator.
“These investments illustrate Sofidy's desire to consolidate its presence in the Netherlands, a thriving market with some of the strongest economic and demographic fundamentals in Europe,” added Julien Bouchet, Director of Investments at Sofidy. With over €600m in Dutch assets under management, Sofidy’s strategic expansion in Randstad cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht and Rotterdam illustrates the enduring appeal of Dutch retail assets with repositioning potential.
People mentioned:
Louis-Frédéric Touati – Director Club Deals, Sofidy
Julien Bouchet – Director of Investments, Sofidy
Companies mentioned:
Sofidy – Real estate asset manager and lead investor
Wereldhave – Dutch shopping centre specialist and operating partner
Tikehau Capital – Listed parent group of Sofidy
Rabobank – Green loan lender
Norton Rose, Lexence, Forstone, Cushman & Wakefield – Advisers to the buyer
JLL – Adviser to the seller
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