AKD's real estate team is active across the retail, hotel, leisure, and investor markets and is described as offering 'fast, clear, and commercial responses.' The practice is co-led by Steven Ongena and Ruben Vermang, who oversee the full real estate lifecycle with strong transactional and corporate expertise. Pol Cools brings over 19 years’ experience to the practice..
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘This practice stands out for its deep expertise, client-focused approach, and seamless collaboration across disciplines. I appreciate the team’s responsiveness, strategic insight, and ability to deliver practical, results-driven advice. Compared to other firms, the practice combines top-tier knowledge with a modern, agile mindset that truly puts the client first.’
- ‘Steven Ongena and Pol Cools work seamlessly as a team, combining deep expertise with thorough knowledge across all relevant topics. They are highly client-focused, exceptionally responsive, and always willing to explain and elaborate with clarity.’
- ‘Ruben Vermang is available and committed to his clients and makes sure to finalize an engagement from start to finish with the same level of care and attention to detail.'
- ‘Fast, clear, and commercial responses. Advice is generally given in a commercial rather than strictly legal context.'
- ‘Ruben Vermang is a very accomplished real estate lawyer. Straight talking, responsive, commercial, not tied up in legal theories, gets what clients needs, and is very personable and interesting to deal with. Dealing in overseas markets can be difficult but Ruben just gets it.’
Key clients
- Numa
- Les Grands Prés
- UNION Investment Real Estate
- Whitewood
- Covetrus
- Swietelsky
- Patrizia KvG
- Castleforge
- Jan de Nul
- Shepherd Building Group
- Gardiner
- Tommy Hilfiger
Work highlights
Advising hotel operator, Numa on its partnership with Pandox for the lease and planned refurbishment of the iconic Hotel Hubert in Brussels.
Representing a leading UK footwear wholesaler in its expansion in Belgium with the leasing of a showroom in Brussels and a logistical warehouse in Nivelles.
Representing Whitewood, a leading developer and financial investor, with the negotiation of several usufruct agreements with the European Commission.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Steven Ongena; Ruben Vermang
Other key lawyers
Pol Cools