Van Wanrooij Bouw & Ontwikkeling was founded in 1969 by brothers Wim and André van Wanrooij, transforming from a small contracting operation into a substantial player in Dutch residential construction and property development over five decades. The family business employed approximately 275 people and specialized in developing and constructing new residential properties throughout the Netherlands, with particular strength in suburban housing markets.
The company distinguished itself through its Optio development concept, which emphasized standardized and modular construction approaches. Van Wanrooij operated its own construction company, carpentry factory, and building materials business, enabling integrated project execution. Over its final three years as an independent entity, the firm developed and sold an average of 1,200 homes annually, with roughly half constructed by its own teams.
Van Wanrooij's land holdings and project pipeline positioned it as a significant contributor to addressing Dutch housing demand. The company maintained above-average profitability through strategic land positions, efficient management practices, and process standardization. Its work concentrated predominantly in suburban areas, contrasting with many competitors focused on urban transformation projects.
In September 2023, Royal Heijmans acquired Van Wanrooij's project development activities, construction operations, carpentry factory, and building materials business for an enterprise value of 298 million euros. The acquisition doubled Heijmans' property development portfolio to approximately 29,000 homes and increased combined annual development capacity to 3,000-4,000 units. All Van Wanrooij employees transferred to Heijmans, with the founding family's management remaining operationally involved for two years to facilitate the transition.