A tour through the Rademaker Vastgoed offices feels like a powerful walk-through of their company philosophy. From the meticulously restored ceiling ornaments and tasteful furniture to eye-catching details like a mosasaur skull, a Moroccan ammonite from the Palaeozoic era and imposing hunting trophies on the walls. “All those trophies were shot by my father,” says Reinier Rademaker, who never took up the hobby himself. Fred Rademaker (1945–2019), the company’s founder, remains ever present—not only in the décor and the stories, but also in photos, including one with his grandson Maurits, and in a heartfelt note left on Reinier’s desk in 1996 on his first day at the company. It began with: ‘Welcome to the club!’Fred, a visionary builder, found a worthy successor in his son Reinier (1975). The tradition he established—of restoring historic buildings to their former glory while respecting their origin—has been continued with the same commitment and care.

Grandfather Fred and grandson Maurits beneath the mosasaur jaw: a timeline spanning 70 million years!

Reinier walks us through the company’s headquarters at Lange Voorhout 18, a property that showcases the unmistakable Rademaker signature. “The foundations of this building date back to the 16th century, when Castle Van Borssele stood here. As you can see, a listed building doesn’t have to feel like a museum—it’s a place where people work and live. What we do is elevate monumental real estate to the level of quality that today demands. The best of both worlds.”

'The Dream'

This refined balance of classic and contemporary continues in the art collection. A large Herman Brood painting boldly competes for attention with Dutch cows and a French pointillist landscape. The prominent Hague painter Joop Polder dominates the space, particularly with his monumental work The Dream, the room’s focal point. “The Dream was commissioned by my father,” Reinier explains. “I see Fred’s creative drive in it—his desire to think and dream big, his love of the good life, his appreciation for beauty, his eye for structure and his deep interest in maritime history.”

The painting includes a ship and a glass of wine, and the theme continues with a finely detailed scale model of the ms Kennemerland elsewhere in the office. “My father bought that model at an auction packed with retired sea captains. He could be very persistent. Of course, I miss him, not least as a great support—but he handed over the business to me in 2016, so the day-to-day running was already my responsibility. Strangely, it’s only now dawning on me that I’m no longer the junior—I’m the senior.” Reinier smiles at his 19-year-old son as his wife Sabine joins them. “You’re now Rademaker junior.”

Upside-Down Dinners

With a little help from his mum’s excellent memory, Maurits shares some of his memories of Fred. “I think he was less strict or disciplined as a grandfather than he was as a dad—I never had a working relationship with him, so for me it was all fun. At Easter we’d hide eggs together, go ballooning, make cannonballs in the pool, watch the stars, and fry eggs at their house in France. Oh, and whenever we stayed over, we’d get an upside-down dinner: dessert first, then the starter. Grandma is still with us, thankfully—she lives close by and I always walk her home when she’s had dinner with us.”

Fred and Maurits next to one of Fred’s hunting trophies.

Unlike Maurits, Reinier worked in the family business from a young age. “Maurits completed his Real Estate Management diploma at Kronenburgh this July, already did two internships at other agencies and started at TIO Business School in September. His grandfather would’ve loved that. I’m very glad Maurits wants to take his own path first—Fred wanted me in the business straight away.” Reinier was certainly not handed anything on a plate—he worked hard for little pay for years. Laughing: “At one point the accountant had to insist I be given a proper salary.”

Carving His Own Path

Maurits is doing things differently. “I want to explore first and broaden my horizons before even thinking about taking over,” he says. His parents nod approvingly. Sabine joined Rademaker Vastgoed in 1997 as office manager—“love at first sight,” Reinier beams—and she’s still part of the four-person team, alongside a finance manager and a property management manager.

Clearly, the Rademaker real estate DNA continues through the generations. Are there any more family traits being passed down? Sabine answers: “Reinier inherited Fred’s instinct for buildings and business—he can see the potential instantly. My father-in-law was a generous, kind man. He was a loyal member of the Rotary Club in The Hague, always looking forward to his weekly meetups. Fred saw the world in black and white, whereas Reinier also sees the shades of grey.” She looks from Reinier to Maurits. “Maurits is a lot like Reinier—kind, but definitely not without fire.”

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