From 9 to 13 March, Avenue’s Residential team will be in Cannes for MIPIM. Each year, this international real estate fair brings together capital providers, developers and advisors to network and discuss market developments. There is no denying that the residential real estate market has evolved significantly in recent years. Avenue Residential actively responds to this change by bridging the gap between developers seeking liquidity and investors looking for targeted opportunities.
From unit sales to block transactions
The traditional model of selling apartments one by one is increasingly under pressure in Belgium. Younger buyers are entering the market later, construction costs remain high and financing conditions have become more stringent. As a result, priorities have shifted for many developers. Liquidity, timing and risk mitigation have become just as important as the price per unit.
This evolution increases the relevance of block sales. By selling a residential project in a single transaction, a developer can unlock capital, reduce sales risk and shift focus to the next phase of development. Avenue Residential actively supports developers in structuring and executing such transactions.
MIPIM as a working platform
MIPIM offers a unique environment where decision-makers are accessible and conversations are direct. Most meetings do not take place on the exhibition floor itself, but around it — in informal settings where trust and speed are decisive.
This way of working closely aligns with Avenue Residential’s approach. We connect developers with buyers who are ready to act, align expectations early on and focus on execution rather than lengthy sales processes. During MIPIM, the emphasis is on conversations with residential developers. The most suitable opportunities are subsequently presented to our investment network.
Who we work with
The buyer landscape has changed significantly in recent years. Residential real estate is no longer viewed solely as a passive, bond-like investment. In addition to institutional funds, we increasingly work with family offices, private equity structures and entrepreneurial investors.
These parties approach residential real estate as an active investment. They look for scale, operational potential and long-term value creation, rather than static yield. Avenue Residential maintains close relationships with this new generation of investors and understands how their expectations differ from those of traditional core capital.
Liquidity in practice
A recent example is the sale of a residential building comprising nineteen apartments, developed by Matexi. The project was acquired in a single transaction by a private investment company backed by Flemish entrepreneurs. For the developer, this provided immediate liquidity and certainty. For the buyer, it offered a well-located asset with clear long-term potential.
What makes these transactions meaningful is not the volume itself, but the alignment of interests. Developers gain flexibility and capital. Investors gain access to real estate that requires insight, management and vision.
Why meet Avenue Residential at MIPIM
Avenue Residential focuses on Belgian residential projects in Flanders and Brussels — markets we know inside out. At the same time, we act as a bridge to international and non-traditional capital actively seeking exposure to Belgian residential real estate.
For developers considering block sales, partial exits or alternative capital strategies, MIPIM is the right moment to explore possibilities. Not through broad pitches, but through focused conversations.
During MIPIM 2026, Stijn, Karel and Bert will be in Cannes to meet with developers seeking clarity, liquidity and execution power in residential capital markets transactions. If you are working on a project where timing and certainty are critical, we would be pleased to connect.