Company

About

STNDRD creates, develops and co-invests
in places that help to build a better future. 

We create places that connect us with nature — designed to enrich and energize people’s lives, while having a low environmental impact. We stand for the highest standards across every aspect, including architecture, interior design, landscaping, retail, services, cultural programming, and identity and communication. We orchestrate each part of the process, from concept to construction to financing, collaborating with like-minded international and local partners to bring a shared vision to life. 

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Our Team

 

Michael Steyn
Creative Director and Founder

Michael Steyn has had a long-term interest in how brand thinking and high-quality ESG-led architecture and real estate can make a positive impact. He’s worked on real estate projects worth billions of euros, with an unprecedented success rate. These include Wonderwoods, HOME, The Student Hotel, and many more around the world from Dubai, to New York, till Asia. 

Before founding Stndrd, Michael worked with Oscar-winning producer Hans de Weers on feature films, where he learned how to work from a narrative with an expansive team. Michael is a keen polo player, interested in contemporary art, and supports several charities that protect nature. He has won several awards, including MIPIM 2019 best mixed use project, 2019 future project of the year, European Property Awards, best mixed use in Europe, 2021 - 2022, and more.

Nicolas Biegman
Business Director and Partner

Nicolas Biegman has over 33 years of experience in negotiating, deal making and advising in complex international transactions. Focusing on finance, capital structuring, real estate, capital markets or M&A, and often a combination of these areas depending on the deal. Before joining Stndrd, Nicolas was a partner at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek for 24 years, acted as a trusted adviser to boards of directors of multinationals in critical situations, and headed up De Brauw’s London office twice. Nicolas enjoys hiking, travelling, reading and most of all spending time with his family and friends. He supports several charities and has a passion for classic and contemporary art and a music.

Rüdiger Dany
Development Director and Partner

Rüdiger Dany has more than 30 years professional experience in retail, commercial real estate, leasing and asset management. He worked for some of the largest international retail and real estate companies in Europe including ECE, Atrium and Multi Corporation. Rüdiger has also held various senior management positions such as Executive Member and COO of Atrium Group and Multi Corporation, Senior Managing Director Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Managing Director Czech Republic, Slovakia and Spain for ECE Projekt management. In these positions he was responsible for strategy setting, business transformation, asset development, greenfield projects, optimization of operating assets, M&A, and team leadership for national and regional organizations. Rüdiger is currently CEO of NEPI Rockcastle, a leading stock-listed property investment and development group and runs his own experienced international development team. He’s also an active polo player, enjoys his family life and he loves his dogs.

Gerhard Dunstheimer 
Development director and Partner 

Gerhard L. Dunstheimer worked for 16 years at ECE Projektmanagement in Hamburg, serving 5 years as Co-CEO and Chief Investment Officer. ECE develops, plans, realizes, leases and manages large commercial properties in all asset classes (office, hotel, residential, logistics, industry, transport). It is the European market leader in the shopping center sector. Due to his work at ECE, Mr. Dunstheimer knows and understands the role of developer and investor. His many years of professional experience enable him to take seasoned and insightfully views in strategic processes. Next to his development work he, for the last 5 years he has been managing partner of an investment company in London and a real estate company in Hamburg, next to his work as partner of Stndrd.