Read the full newsletter here
The founding spirit that shaped LuxReal
LuxReal was created in 2009, in the aftermath of a global financial crisis. Much has changed since then in the real estate sector, Luxembourg‘s alternative investment fund business has grown significantly, the association kept its dynamic and is more diverse than ever. As it just celebrated its 16th anniversary, we sat down with three of its founders, Sandra Müller, Sven Rein and Xavier Hauboldt, to revisit the origins of LuxReal and reflect on its journey.
Second executive board: Sandra Müller, President
Vincent Bechet, Laurent Cooreman, René Ensch, Stephane Haot, Xavier Hauboldt, Catherine Martougin, Sven Rein, Thorsten Steffen, Francois Thiry
The idea of LuxReal emerged in a post-crisis environment. “The association was created with the ambition to establish an interdisciplinary platform of real estate professionals in Luxembourg; to strengthen our real estate industry by developing and maintaining a national and international network supported by cooperation partnerships and holding events in Luxembourg and abroad to discuss industry trends; and to represent the common interests of our members at a corporate and political level, to encourage professionalism and foster access to vocational training,” recalls Sandra Müller, LuxReal’s first president from 2009 to 2015, who at the same time was leading a fund management company active in real estate among other asset classes.
The founding members drew inspiration from IMMOEBS, an alumni network of the European Business School (EBS) in Germany, founded by Professor Karl-Werner Schulte and dedicated to real estate. “The postgraduate education and alumni network we were part of had been extremely valuable for the professionalisation of the real estate sector in Germany. The ambition of LuxReal‘s founding and first board members was to create a similar dynamic in Luxembourg and to foster the further development of our real estate sector by establishing this interdisciplinary platform”, says Sandra Müller.
While other professional associations existed at the time, none brought together such a wide range of stakeholders: promoters, developers, architects, investors, and fund managers.
From the very beginning, LuxReal created cooperation partnerships with them in order to foster the exchange and professionalism in the sector.
Beyond networking
LuxReal never wanted to limit itself to being a network or a social club. “Our ambition was greater,“ says Sandra Müller. “We wanted to create a platform that delivers valuable insights - a place for meaningful exchanges that would allow professionals to progress together and build new business relationships. For example, we participated in committees and technical working groups, and we organised quarterly events in Luxembourg, as well as conferences on the AIFMD implementation in Luxembourg and abroad with our cooperation partners.”
Recognition, however, had to be earned. “The challenge was to bring the right people on board, high-level executives,” recalls Sven Rein, one of the founding members and a former president of LuxReal. “Beyond the nine original members, we also reached out to other associations, such as ALFI, and to international networks active in real estate.”
Strong convictions, limited means
In its early days, the association relied on the quality of its events, its supporting members and cooperation partners to build credibility. “We organized everything from home, outside our working hours—planning and hosting meaningful events, finding good speakers, sending invitations, writing press releases, as well as managing the entire administration of the association, including monthly LuxReal board meetings in my living room,” recalls Sandra Müller.
The founders remember with a touch of nostalgia the long evenings spent preparing events and looking for partners. “We turned to major players for sponsorship and support. The backing of international figures as well as the participation of Luxembourg’s political leaders contributed to our early success,” adds Xavier Hauboldt, a founding member and former vice-president.
Interdisciplinarity as a driver of value
Since inception, the events attracted a broad audience with more than 150 participants per event. Auditoriums of major banks, BigFour firms, and law firms hosted gatherings .
Interdisciplinarity soon became the association’s hallmark. “We managed to bring together professionals who, until then, hardly interacted - developers and bankers, architects and fund managers,” says Xavier Hauboldt. “This dialogue helped break down silos and sparked new ideas.” Above all, it strengthened and structured the real estate industry in Luxembourg.
“The association also gained recognition from politicians and authorities. They accepted our invitations to speak at LuxReal events and invited us to contribute to shaping the vision for Luxembourg“ says Sandra Müller. “When the CSSF invited us to workshops, it was a turning point,” recalls Sven Rein. “It showed that LuxReal had earned legitimacy and become a credible voice in the sector.” Xavier Hauboldt added “LuxReal also participated to the formation of the CNCD and one LuxReal member served as its first president.“
For Sven Rein, the impact went further: “You cannot measure LuxReal’s direct influence on the post-crisis recovery. But I am convinced that creating a space for dialogue and exchange of ideas contributed to the sector’s resilience and momentum.”
A pioneering spirit that endures
How do the founders view LuxReal’s evolution? Above all, they are proud to see the original spirit endure. “LuxReal has evolved with the profiles of successive presidents and the priorities of the time,” notes Sandra Müller. “But each board has enriched the association while preserving its spirit.”
The association has also embraced new challenges. “Today, young talents are joining with fresh ideas around digitalization, artificial intelligence and sustainability,” says Xavier Hauboldt. “It shows that LuxReal remains a living platform, in step with its time.”
Watching it grow
The founders continue to follow LuxReal “a bit like watching your child grow up. We planted a seed, and the teams that succeeded us have nurtured it by launching great initiatives, fostering the integration of market participants in Luxembourg, and presenting awards that celebrate outstanding achievements in the field,” says Sandra Müller.
“I’m delighted to see that the association is more dynamic than ever, attracting new members and continuing to evolve,” adds Xavier Hauboldt.
Over time, LuxReal has become more than a network—it is now a true label of professionalism. “Being on the board means being recognized as a key player in real estate,” emphasizes Sven Rein. “Major banks, law firms, and developers value this, as it reflects their legitimacy and expertise.”
In conclusion, the founders take pride in what has been achieved. LuxReal has built bridges between different worlds, brought meaningful content, raised professional standards, and strengthened the Luxembourg real estate industry. Above all, it has preserved the spirit of innovation and further development that inspired its creation.