Paul van Stiphout
Fund Manager Residential Investments
Bouwinvest Residential Fund acquires 612 student and young professionals homes in Rotterdam
October 9, 2025
The Bouwinvest Dutch Institutional Residential Fund has acquired OurDomain Rotterdam Blaak in the centre of Rotterdam. The mixed-use complex at Gapersteeg, directly opposite Blaak Station, comprises 612 student studios and apartments for young professionals as well as 454 m² of commercial space. With this investment, Bouwinvest responds to the growing demand for modern, affordable housing for students and young professionals in the Randstad region. The acquisition also aligns with the trend of investing in operational real estate, where the operation and management are integral parts of the investment. Greystar, who developed the project in close cooperation with Stebru, will remain involved as property and community manager. The transaction enables Greystar to reinvest the released capital in new residential projects.
The 24-storey building was completed in 2021 and offers a mix of furnished and semi-furnished studios and rental apartments for students, young professionals, young couples, singles and short-stay residents up to the age of 28. Most of the apartments are rented below the liberalisation threshold with the remainder in the mid-rental segment, contributing to affordable living in the city. A small portion of the apartments fall within the private rental sector. Since its opening in January 2022, the complex has maintained an occupancy rate that is virtually full. In addition to the apartments, the building provides extensive shared amenities, including study and workspaces, lounges, a music and cinema room, a gym and a rooftop terrace with city views. On the ground floor, two commercial units are leased to an all-day, every-day food concept and a barber.
The apartments are located in the heart of Rotterdam, right next to the André van der Louw Bridge and the Willem de Kooning Academy, just a stone’s throw from Rotterdam Blaak Station, a major public transport hub with train, metro, tram and bus connections. All universities and colleges in the city can be reached within fifteen minutes, while daily amenities, including a supermarket, are within walking distance.
“OurDomain Rotterdam Blaak fits perfectly within our strategy to add affordable and sustainable housing in prime urban locations in the Holland Metropole region. At a time when the housing market is under severe pressure, it is important that this type of housing remains available and affordable for students and young professionals. This acquisition is also fully aligned with our Paris Proof objectives and contributes to the further sustainability of our portfolio”, said Paul van Stiphout, Fund Manager Dutch Institutional Residential Fund.
Mark Kuijpers, Senior Managing Director Gresytar: “This sale enables us to reinvest the released capital into new projects, allowing us to create additional housing for students and young starters in the Netherlands. We are pleased to remain involved, on behalf of Bouwinvest, as the property and community manager, delivering a unique living experience to its residents,”
The project was developed in 2016 by Greystar in cooperation with Stebru and designed by Tangram Architects. Greystar also acted as the selling party. CBRE acted as advisor to Greystar in this transaction.
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