Investors have seen the value in holding commercial property in their portfolios for some time. Diversifying investments is an excellent strategy since they don't want to have all of their funds concentrated in stocks and bonds. London was the most popular choice for investors in 2012 This trend has increased lately, particularly among... Read More
The fact that the London commercial property market is outperforming the provincial market will come as no surprise to anyone. As in other economic spheres this polarity has been evident for many years. Even during the depths of the recession London appeared to be insulated from the chill that swept through the rest of the UK. Now the... Read More
Four commercial properties in South Florida have been scheduled for foreclosure auctions. A fifth building has recently been seized by a loan investor. The owner of the largest property to be put up for sale lost an $11.5 million foreclosure judgment. U.S. Bank was awarded the judgment against Wellington Property Group for an $8.6... Read More
Mary Portas has become one of the most significant characters in the battle to save the high street, with her plan to rejuvenate town centres splitting opinions up and down the country. Like her or loathe her, she certainly stands up for what she believes in and is not one to back away from a heated debate. This week, she has hit back... Read More
A report on the future of the West End has called for a 24 hour tube service and the creation of an administrative body to ensure the area fully realises its potential in terms of business and tourism. The West End Commission published its findings this week following a six month study into the national and international role of the... Read More
In direct contrast to recent years, the first quarter of 2013 yielded positive results for the high street. This theme has continued with positive annual results from Home Retail, owners of one of the high street’s key brands. For the first time in five years underlying sales at Argos have risen, ushering in a more positive future... Read More
China is still lagging behind Japan and Australia in commercial real estate investment. The two other countries currently have currently have the advantage of deeper inventory, more experienced investors and better transparency. But according to Anthony Couse, a managing director for global real estate at Jones Lang LaSalle in... Read More
Plans for the redevelopment of Deptford’s historic docks are due to be submitted to Lewisham Council within the next few days. The proposals, by architect Sir Terry Farrell on behalf of developers Hutchison Whampoa, promise to bring cultural and commercial life to the waterfront along with a high quality living environment. The... Read More
The Scottish Government has banned cigarette and tobacco products from being on display in large retailers throughout the country under the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010. Smoking is associated with 13,000 deaths a year in Scotland The act, which came into force earlier this week, also bans cigarette products... Read More
One of the UK’s leading leisure groups has pledged to create up to 12,000 jobs over the next five years in a huge extension of its most popular brands. The Whitbread Group, which owns both Costa Coffee and the Premier Inn chains, made the announcement after posting hugely successful annual results. In the year to the 28th February,... Read More
Poland's capital city is becoming a busy business hub with multiple building projects breaking ground to meet demand and investors are taking note. Tomasz Trzoslo, the head of Jones Lang LaSalle's Polish office said recently that Warsaw's central district usually attracts interest from between 20 and 30 funds, while suburban areas... Read More
The four-year decline in the prices paid for retail property sold in UK auction houses has slowed according to data released by industry analysts IPD. The IPD UK Retail Property Auction Index, produced in conjunction with leading commercial property auction house Acuitus, has been monitoring the performance of retail property sold at... Read More
Prime rents in the top six German office markets increased by an average of 3.8 per cent in the first three months of 2013. According to the latest research released by Savills, the year-on-year rate was €26.98 sq m. The international real estate advisor is forecasting that prime rental rates will continue to grow in Berlin, Cologne,... Read More
Pinewood Studios has revealed plans to go stateside in an ambitious expansion plan designed to open further doors for the British Film Industry. In conjunction with investment firm River’s Rock, Pinewood Shepperton plc – otherwise known as the Pinewood Studios Group - will construct its first United States sound stages on a 288 acre plot... Read More
A new type of high-rise skyscraper is being developed by a team of modern designers. "Big Wood" is a conceptual project that was submitted to the eVolo 2013 Skyscraper Competition by architect Michael Charters. Chicago Loop Rather than relying on the standard building materials used for high-rise towers, this design goes green, using... Read More
British Land reports that its Hampshire retail and leisure development, Whiteley Shopping Centre, is over 90 per cent let. Among the latest names to take space on the site are Fat Face (5,100 sq ft), The Body Shop (1,400 sq ft) and Jones Bootmaker (1,518 sq ft). They join a host of high street retailers already on board including... Read More
Since the economy took a turn for the worst in late 2008 and the country was plunged into recession, banks have been increasingly unwilling to lend to small businesses. Taxpayer bailouts have made chains such as RBS and Lloyds careful about gambling with what is partly public money, leaving companies struggling to raise cash to... Read More
Recently, things have been looking up for the high street, with consumer confidence on the up and higher footfall rates being recorded in Britain’s town centres than has been the case for several years. However, a profits warning posted by one of the high street’s most popular names could serve to put an end to this period of... Read More
Beneficial Bank has signed a 15 year lease at 1818 Market Street in Philadelphia. The city's oldest bank will be moving into 97,764 sq ft of office space on four floors of the high-rise tower owned by Sovereign Capital Management Group. 1818 Market Street The Bank was represented by Binswanger in the lease agreement. Joe Muldoon, the... Read More
A conservation group has submitted a letter of objection to the proposed redevelopment of London’s Smithfield Market. Save Britain’s Heritage (SAVE) says that Henderson Global Investors plan to introduce 230,000 sq ft of commercial space “constitutes the worst mutilation of a Victorian landmark in the last 30 years.” The plans,... Read More
With the relatively recent obesity crisis making headlines in the UK, the number of us choosing to take up gym memberships is skyrocketing as the nation attempts to keep fit. As a result, chains from sports merchandise specialists DW to female-only Curves are rapidly expanding in cities across the country in a bid to cash in on this fitness... Read More
The office market in Boston has almost returned to pre-recession rates as take-up improves, driving up rents. Within the past three months, the average price of rents in Boston has increased to $46.26 per sq ft, representing an increase of 16 per cent in the market compared to three years ago, according to figures released by Jones... Read More
