Despite major renovation of the hotel, there is no question of essentially new construction

Court Ruling on Renovation Definition: The Amsterdam Court of Appeal upheld the District Court’s decision, determining that the structural changes made to a hotel property were not significant enough to classify the renovation as ‘essentially new construction,’ despite the substantial renovation costs.
Condition of Original Structure Considered: The Court emphasized the good condition of the property’s structural components and foundation prior to renovation as a key factor in its decision, indicating that the extent of renovation alone does not warrant a classification as new construction.
Transfer Tax Implications: X BV’s claim for a refund of €1.2 million in transfer tax was rejected, as the Court found that the acquisition of the assistant engineer’s residence did not qualify for the 2% rate due to its transformation into a commercial space with hotel facilities, rather than being used as a residential property.