Serge Hannecart: 30 Years of Real Estate Revolution in Belgium

Serge Hannecart

Serge Hannecart has established himself as a leading name in the world of real estate Belgian. In 1989, at the age of 22, with his friend Pascal Struyfhe began his career as a developer to build an apartment building in Aartselaar. What began as a personal project turned into a profitable sale, leading to more real estate developments.

Their company, Himmoshas become a major player in Antwerp, known for its bold business strategy, earning Hannecart the nickname 'Napoleon du quai de l'Escaut' (Scheldt quay apoleon). With the investment of Fernand Huts in 1994Himmos was able to expand its projects, although Huts withdrew in 2001. One year later, Heijmansa Dutch group, has acquired Himmos and Serge Hannecart has assets of over 60 million euros. 

During the same period, Hannecart explored the world of artistic working with Panamarenkoa renowned artist, through Antwerpse Luchtschipbouw NV, which managed private exhibition space and art sales. In 2011, Hannecart acquired Himmos, which had evolved into a land bank, and launched the 'Life' concept, short for 'Living In Funky Environments'. With projects in Belgium and the Netherlands, 'Lifesymbolizes a versatile project development company.

Collaboration with co-investors is a cornerstone of its strategy. Jaap Rosen Jacobson, former owner of VLM Airlinesthen Limburg-based entrepreneur Mathi Gijbelshave taken stakes in various projects. Under their impetus, Life.NL is best known for the renovation of the Stationspostgebouw in The Hague, a property sold to the investment fund Perial Asset Management. The 240,000 square meter project includes a residential and commercial complex with offices, a hotel and apartments.

In Belgium, Hannecart and Gijbels hold a share of 50 % in Futurn, une société se spécialisant dans la reconversion de biens immobiliers d’entreprise, souvent orientés vers les PME. Futurn a par exemple revitalisé des sites tels que l’ancien terrain de Barco à Kuurne et l’ancienne imprimerie Concentra à Hasselt. Quant à l’initiative Fosbury & Sons, elle crée des espaces de bureaux collaboratifs, ce qui met en relief l’intérêt de Hannecart pour les environnements de travail modernes et partagés.

In the student real estate market, Studentlife is another expression of its entrepreneurial vision, while Invest for Life manages real estate investments. Land For Life represents the land management component of its portfolio. In this way, the portfolio reflects the dynamic growth and committed investment of Serge Hannecart in the real estate sector, especially in Antwerp, but also across Belgium, and the one that provides a fortune of over 60 million euros real estate.