The political policy in the City of Antwerp had proposed that the City should valorise around 1/3 of its real estate. A practical analysis of the entire real estate portfolio (1,300 buildings) seemed to be in order.

PROJECTFICHE

Client: City of Antwerp
Project scope: Drawing up strategic vision paper and macro scan of all buildings for the City of Antwerp

The study laid bare a great many synergies. It also showed the need to raise awareness of space usage, as the interpretation of the policy plans from the various business units and political responsibilities denoted an expansion of the portfolio. Freestone's dossier was brought before the Board of the Mayor and Aldermen and explained.

Freestone was then granted a framework contract (via public procurement) to advise the City of Antwerp on real estate issues, such as:

Evaluation of real estate plans (presbyteries, clubhouses, child day-care centres, container depots, etc.)
Financial real estate expertise: investigation into raising the returns on the municipal portfolio (e.g. drawing up financial plan for the central warehouse ‘De Marnex’).
Assistance with creating political support for the optimisation of the municipal portfolio.
Support with drawing up an overarching accommodation vision.
Support with optimising the use of space.
Support with improving processes concerning active portfolio management.
Integration of PCSW front-office services into the council offices (district offices).

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