Ballast Nedam: Development Consortium Selected for the Leiden Campus

NIEUWEGEIN, The Netherlands, May 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- De Leidse Schans - Accommodation for Around 1900 Students

The City of Leiden has selected VORM Ontwikkeling B.V., Ballast Nedam, and Syntrus Achmea Vastgoed for the development and delivery of a student campus, named the "Leidse Schans". The City is committed to delivering a socially sustainable campus. The chosen plan will give Leiden the most sustainable student campus in Europe. This urban development plan, which was developed in cooperation with DUWO and designed by Mecanoo Architecten, projects an image of premium quality. On behalf of its clients, pension fund investor Syntrus Achmea is investing in the development of at least 600 homes in De Leidse Schans. All those involved have proven experience in the fields of student housing and the development of inner-city areas.

De Leidse Schans involves the development, delivery and operation of about 1900 student housing units. Various facilities and approximately 200 starter homes will also be delivered. Alderman Pieter van Woensel notes that "When De Leidse Schans is completed, the oldest university city in the Netherlands will have the most modern campus in the country, one that features spacious student accommodation in attractive surroundings. This construction project is a major step for our city of knowledge. This first campus represents a frontal assault on the housing shortage, which has been a massive problem for many years."

In addition to accommodating students, De Leidse Schans will provide space for starters and PhD students. In this way, a mixed social environment will be created and graduates will be retained for the city. De Leidse Schans will also enhance the Lammenschans Triangle's appeal as a residential environment, while at the same time improving the area's appearance.

The development consortium views Leiden as a very promising housing market. Whether people want to rent or buy, there is a shortage of good quality starter apartments and student apartments. Sustained engagement by the community, developers, investors and operators is of pivotal importance to the success of this inner-city redevelopment project.

The tender process was launched in June 2010. After evaluating the qualitative, quantitative, and financial aspects of each submission, the City ranked this development consortium as the best. The municipal executive approved this result on 24 May. In September, the city council will issue a statement about the winning plan. The project will then be officially awarded. The first residents are expected to move into their student housing units in 2015, and the entire project will be completed in 2018.

Ballast Nedam has a leading position in construction and infrastructure. The company operates mainly in the Netherlands on integrated and other projects for companies, public authorities and housing consumers, in the fields of mobility, housing, employment, leisure and energy. Ballast Nedam operates internationally in various areas of expertise. Ballast Nedam supplies project, process and contract management in the development, implementation and management phases. The company also provides specialized know-how and skills, and semi-finished and finished products. Ballast Nedam is listed on NYSE Euronext in Amsterdam. The share is included in the Amsterdam Small Cap Index.