Fortis Insurance and its predecessors have been investing in Dutch real estate for over a century now. Today, with a portfolio running to over 30,000 hectares, we are the largest private landowner in the Netherlands, with properties spread all over the country.

Fortis recently made a substantial contribution to the Dutch government’s objective of creating new areas of greenery by twice exchanging land with the state in two of the largest real estate transactions in many years. Some of our former land has been reclassified to allow the reintroduction of traditional Dutch wetlands, to combat climate change and provide flood protection.

Our rural property unit, Fortis Rural Estate, is increasingly involved in integrated regional development projects – many of them complex – through tailored finance, land exchanges and estate management. The Utrecht Estate on the Belgian-Dutch border is a good example. With a total of 2,500 hectares, it is the largest single property in the Fortis portfolio. A development plan was drawn up in consultation with residents, business people, nature organisations and the planning authorities. By cooperating in this way, it is possible to combine the development of woodlands, nature, recreation, farming and new homes in attractive surroundings while respecting local culture, history and landscape.

Fortis views land as a solid long-term investment. We lease it out long term to rural businesses, some of it in perpetuity. We are confident about the future of the countryside: a place where farmers can continue to earn a good living from the sustainable production of food, bio-commodities, plants and flowers, but where there is still plenty of room for nature, recreation, homes and water storage. A countryside, in other words, that is attractive, sustainable and full of vitality.

Our employee: Erik Somsen, Director of Fortis Landelijk Vastgoed

“Fortis contributes significantly to the sustainable future of an economically vibrant and attractive countryside and to effective planning in the Netherlands. Sustainable property investment also provides solid business opportunities. Our approach to rural property investment and management enables us to create sustainable added value for people and nature alike.”

Innovation Lab for Sustainable Housing Refurbishment

Fortis was one of six very different organisations that got together in 2007 to explore new ways of tackling a serious social, economic and environmental issue: how should we deal with housing stock from the 1960s that has reached the end of its theoretical lifespan and no longer meets current requirements?

The ‘Innovation Lab’ project was organised by the Centre for Sustainability at Nyenrode Business University in the Netherlands and brought together representatives of the construction, chemical and financial sectors, along with local government, climate researchers and campaigners. It took the form of a sustainable renovation case study featuring 550 flats dating from the 1960s in Rotterdam.

The key aims of the study were to identify ways to reduce carbon emissions by at least 45%, to extend the life of the buildings by a minimum of 30 years, and to improve the interior climate in terms of airborne particles and noise – no easy matter, given the proximity of a motorway.

Fortis was delighted to be involved in what proved to be a highly fruitful exercise. It is estimated that 75% of Dutch housing stock is not energy-efficient. Putting that right will take an investment of up to EUR 25 billion between now and 2020.