Evans Randall buys Amsterdam office development for EUR 165m

London-based private investment banking group Evans Randall has bought an office property under development in Amsterdam's Zuidas business district for EUR 165 mln.

The office block named The Rock is part of phase 2 of the Mahler4 complex of nine buildings being developed jointly by Fortis Development, G & S Real Estate and ING Real Estate Development. The scheme will provide 160,000 m² of office space and 30,000 m² of residential space. The 22-storey Rock will comprise 30,000 m² of space, with the new headquarters of law firm De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek taking up 21,000 m².

Although significant, the transaction was far from the biggest deal for Evans Randall. Earlier this year, the company teamed up with Germany's IVG Immobilien to buy the Swiss Re tower - better known as the Gherkin - in London for £600 mln (about EUR 887 mln). During the MIPIM property fair in Cannes in March, Evans Randall announced it was actively seeking joint venture partners to buy other 'super trophy' real estate investments in Europe's financial centres over the coming year.

Property advisor Van Gool Elburg acted for the Mahler4 companies and CB Richard Ellis represented Evans Randall. Both advisors are responsible for leasing the building's vacant office space. Legal advice on the transaction was provided to the Mahler4 group by Boekel de Neree, while law firm Loyens Loeff acted for Evans Randall.