Building a high-performance organization: lessons from a 10-year transformation at Vesteda

Purpose This study investigates the transformation of Vesteda, a Dutch residential real estate company, into a high-performance organization (HPO) over a decade-long period. It aims to provide theoretical insights into the application of the HPO framework in real estate and offer practical lessons for organizations seeking to enhance performance. Design/methodology/approach A longitudinal case study design was employed. Data were collected over ten years through six HPO diagnoses, semi-structured interviews with employees and managers, internal documentation and analysis of operational and financial metrics. Findings Vesteda improved its HPO score by 2.2 points and achieved a high-performance status within its sector. Key factors included leadership development, continuous improvement and employee engagement. Financial and operational indicators, including tenant satisfaction and rental income, also improved significantly. Originality/value This is one of the few longitudinal studies applying a validated performance framework in the real estate sector. It demonstrates how a structured transformation process can yield sustained organizational improvements and offers actionable insights for similar firms.