NICE Developers is a Rotterdam-based organisation established by Mark Compeer and Robert Winkel. Founded in 2018, NICE Developers has quickly distinguished itself within the Dutch construction sector for its pursuit of sustainable, circular building methods rooted in timber construction. The company operates primarily in Rotterdam but has a broader ambition for impact in urban environments, seeking to prove that building and development can be done with significantly less reliance on concrete and traditional, carbon-heavy practices.
A notable achievement is the SAWA building in the Lloydkwartier district, which at 50 metres became one of Europe’s first high-rise timber residential projects. SAWA, designed in collaboration with Mei architects and planners, features communal spaces and an architectural emphasis on biodiversity, such as green terraces and habitat for urban flora and fauna. The building’s flexible open structure and use of circular materials underpin NICE’s approach to “Paris Proof” construction—aligning with strict climate and emissions standards.
NICE Developers’ latest project, the NICE Tower, aims to be the tallest wooden residential tower in the world at 140 metres. The NICE Tower builds on modular, demountable construction, adhering to the Open Building principle so that spaces can be adapted over time. This philosophy is reinforced through their corporate partnership with Focus on Impact, allowing the organisation to undertake projects as both developer and co-investor.
Today, NICE Developers continues to focus exclusively on wood-based, climate-adaptive, socially inclusive buildings, positioning themselves as a catalyst for sustainable change in Dutch urban development.