London’s West End property vacancy rate has remained unchanged over the past few months as transactional activity for built space has slowed, according to the first West End Occupier Snapshot from Colliers International. Major pre-lets to Camden Council, who have taken 120,000 square feet at the Argent Development, Kings Cross Central and Debenhams, who have taken 160,000 square feet at British Land’s Regent’s Place have eaten into pipeline space, but take up of existing product fell by 30% in the third quarter of 2011, it reveals. Despite the AirW1 development of 160,000 square [...]
C&W: Chink of light in London office market (UK)
After diminished take-up in the London office market this year, particularly in the first six months, there is light ahead for developers in the Capital, according to a study from Cushman & Wakefield. With companies adopting a ‘wait-and-see’ attitude towards property decisions in 2011, it is expected that the London office market will benefit from some of the resulting pent-up demand next year. When asked about their organization’s strategy in 2012, just under half of London companies (49%) described it as one of opportunistic growth and just under one-fifth (17%) will be looking [...]
Savills: London super prime residential property market continues to break records (UK)
An influx of international equity has led to a record number of sales at the very top of the prime central London residential market this year to date, according to latest analysis from property adviser, Savills. Year-to-date there have been over 260 sales of properties worth over £5 million, with a total value of over £3 billion. This represents an uplift of around a third on the same period of 2010 in terms of the number of sales and 46% in terms of value. The total value of such sales year on year has now reached £3.8 billion. The traditionally quiet third quarter has set [...]
Union Investment commences reconstruction of Finsbury Circus House, London (DE/UK)
Union Investment is taking advantage of current market conditions to re-model a building in London’s financial district which it acquired in 1992. The company is investing some £30 million (approx. €34.4 million) in the complete refurbishment of Finsbury Circus House, with the aim of turning it into a premium property that meets the highest sustainability standards. Completion is scheduled for the start of 2013. “We are returning the property to its former status as the prime address in Finsbury Circus,” says Dr. Karl-Joseph Hermanns-Engel, Member of the Management [...]
CBRE: London is top target in Europe for global real estate investors (UK)
London is the primary target in Europe for global capital flows into commercial real estate, with almost five times as much investment from non-European buyers as its nearest rival, according to the latest research from CBRE. During 2010 and the first half of 2011 non-European investors from around the world invested €24 billion (£21bn) into European commercial real estate. London was the predominant destination for this investment with a market share of 39%, almost five times as much Paris (8%) in second position. The next three cities with the largest amounts of non-European property [...]
Global real estate investors target London
London is the top target in Europe for global real estate investors with the UK capital five times more popular than the nearest rival for non-European investment, research shows. During 2010 and the first half of 2011 non-European investors from around the world invested €24 billion (£21 billion) into European commercial real estate, according to the latest research report from CBRE. London was the predominant destination for this investment with a market share of 39%, almost five times as much Paris in second position with just 8%. The next three cities with the largest amounts [...]
Cautious country house buyers in UK waver whilst London continues to prosper
Whilst prime central London continues to be a hive of activity with buyers chasing properties and annual price increases of 11.4%, the country market is less so, with an annual price fall of 1.7% and a gap between buyer and vendor price expectations. According to Philip Selway, managing partner at The Buying Solution fluctuating global stock markets, which are often viewed as market barometers, and wide spread speculation in the press of a double dip recession, buyers who are actively in the market believe that the boot is firmly on their foot. However, the country property market is [...]
Eurozone crisis drives property investors to London
The Eurozone crisis is driving prime central London property prices every higher as real estate investors see the city as a safe haven for their money. The latest prime central London index from Knight Frank shows that luxury property prices increased 0.6% in September 2011, contributing to annual growth of 11.4%. Prices have now risen 37.2% since their recent post credit crunch low in March 2009 and are at a record high, 4.5% higher than their previous peak in March 2008. Price growth is strongest in Chelsea and Kensington, both markets having seen 14% price growth over the past 12 months. The [...]
Q: How did 2012 start for the residential market in Iasi?
Dan Mihoci: The real estate market is headed towards normalcy, without “sentimental” pretentions of the seller or unfounded requests from buyers with an evident need for consultancy, for both buyers and sellers. Despite the bad weather and the economic and political instability, the real estate market is an interesting chapter for everyone.
Q: In 2011, the year started with a high level of interest but few transactions. How did the market evolve ... 
