The H-team: Meet Arthur

For three years now, Arthur has been responsible for purchasing our land. With over ten years of experience in the real estate sector, he has developed a keen eye for opportunities in land and projects with potential. What motivates him the most? Discovering new opportunities, building strong relationships with owners, and guiding complex files to a successful purchase. Meet Arthur and find out what gives him energy every day in his role at Hectaar.

Could you introduce yourself?

I am Arthur Donck, 34 years old and living in Antwerp. I've been working in the real estate sector for ten years now, with the last five years focusing mainly on land acquisition. In my spare time, I play hockey in a team with friends, which makes it even more enjoyable. Additionally, most of my time currently goes to my eleven-month-old son Scott. Being with him is undoubtedly my favorite activity. I'm someone who likes to stay active and is always full of energy, both professionally and privately. Real estate and discovering opportunities in land give me a lot of energy.

What role do you play at Hectaar and how long have you been active here?

I've been responsible for the prospecting and acquisition of land for three years. My role mainly involves identifying interesting opportunities and guiding the entire process up to the purchase.

In practice, this means I contact owners, conduct negotiations, build and maintain relationships, analyze files, create profitability studies, and explore land possibilities through designs in SketchUp. For this, I work with various colleagues, mainly from the development team, project management, and sales.

A typical workday consists of following up on current files, planning and carrying out appointments with landowners, maintaining contact with municipalities, and preparing new files.

How did you end up at Hectaar?

Before starting at Hectaar, I didn't know anyone within the company. At that time, I was looking for a new opportunity and was contacted by someone from Hectaar. Subsequently, I had a conversation with the board, and the connection was immediate. The way of working, the professionalism, the quick decision-making, and the short lines within the team convinced me immediately. As a result, it quickly felt like the right step to start working at Hectaar.

What achievements are you particularly proud of and why?

I'm proud of all the land I've been able to purchase so far, but the project I'm most proud of at the moment is the first major file I secured. After nearly two years of negotiations, all the landowners eventually agreed and signed. It was a complex file because negotiating with various owners wasn't always easy. My role involved negotiating and convincing owners to partner with us instead of another developer. The project is currently still in the permitting phase, but I have every confidence that together with my colleagues Efrem and Benoit, it will lead to a great outcome.

Additionally, I'm also proud of my way of working. I follow up with files and landowners consistently. I don't let anything go and ensure that each file evolves in an organized manner. I've learned a lot from this process. Negotiating with families can sometimes lead to delicate situations, making it important to work thoughtfully and respectfully. It's also essential to provide owners with a sense of trust, knowledge, and professionalism and to always communicate quickly and accurately.

How does Hectaar work to promote a positive team culture?

Within Hectaar, there's a collegial and motivating atmosphere. Everyone helps each other where necessary, and the lines between colleagues are short, which ensures smooth collaboration. A lot of attention is given to motivating and supporting each other. This makes you feel welcome quickly and work together with the team towards the same goal.

What advice would you give to new colleagues who have just started at Hectaar?

My main advice is: there are no stupid questions. The more questions you ask, the quicker you learn, and the better you can develop yourself. Additionally, it's important to pay close attention during meetings, appointments, and projects and to note everything carefully. This way, you quickly build up knowledge and can work confidently and efficiently.

What are you most looking forward to in your future at Hectaar?

I'm particularly looking forward to the projects currently in the permitting phase and the files I'm currently negotiating. There are many interesting opportunities in the pipeline, and I'm excited to successfully acquire them.

Besides, I find it important to continuously develop myself. I'm looking forward to learning something new every day and further building my expertise in land acquisition so that I can make an even greater contribution to the team and the projects at Hectaar.

What is your favorite Hectaar project currently for sale?

I don't have one specific favorite project because I'm proud of all the projects we're currently working on. Each project has its own challenges and opportunities. It's great to see how each file contributes to the growth and success of Hectaar.

What is your Hectaar Highlight?

I'm proud of everything I've learned in the past few years, especially the experience I've gained in recent months in tackling more complex and technical files. That growth gives me a lot of satisfaction and motivates me to bring out the best in myself and the projects every day.

You might soon meet Arthur at the office or become his new colleague. One thing is certain: his enthusiasm for real estate and his drive to discover opportunities are contagious. Do you want to help build the projects of tomorrow? Contact us at jobs@hectaar.be or call 051 69 58 72.