Real Asset Media Thought Leaders

New Usher Institute puts data driven innovation at heart of BioQuarter

Co-location is the key to realise BioQuarter vision

Edinburgh BioQuarter speaks to Ivan McKee MSP

The Student Hotel: Changing offer to suit changing times

The student accommodation market is resilient says Dr Andreas Muschter, CFO, The Student Hotel but the company’s strategy is to make the most of its flexible offer during this period of uncertainty due to the Covid pandemic.

Its hybrid hotel/student accommodation model means that while hotel demand has been worse hit, the offer can be modified. Muschter said: “Strategically what we currently do is to shift more hotel rooms into student rooms and hotel rooms into extended stay.”

But the flexibility of the space extends beyond different types of accommodation, the space can also be adapted quickly to suit different customer demands. For example, meeting and events space can become co-working space, food and beverage space can become meeting and event space.

Resilience for real estate about adaptability

Flexibility of use will be required by the real estate sector to build resilience, says Philipp Schott, Manager, PwC Legal

Speaking to Real Asset Media’s Richard Bett’s Schott said lessons must be learned from the COVID-19 crisis not just about the ability to recover and return to function but also in how to quickly adapt.

Work concepts have been turned upside but some answers for offices may lie in past trends such as cell offices, he adds. Building in different use concepts may be needed in lease contracts to adapt quickly.

Q1 deal activity bolsters France investment volumes

Cyril Robert, Head of Research at Savills France gives his analysis of the H2 lettings and investment data which show the impact the Covid-crisis has had on market activity.

The amount of space being let in Paris was already in decline prior to the Covid-crisis and has seen a 40% drop H1 2019 vs 2020. Shortage of prime grade A space in the CBD means upward tensions on rents remain but elsewhere there are signs of a decline.

Investment volumes paint a different picture, Q1 deals volumes were the highest for at least 10 years. And while activity declined in Q2, the figures for the first half of the year were still above the 10-year average.  

Logistics real estate: Re-use or building new when is it more sustainable?

Tobias Kassner, head of research, Garbe talks about the company's research into the sustainability of logistics real estate.

It includes evaluating the tipping point of new-build energy efficiency vs environmental impact of construction.

The research also looks at the location of existing buildings compared to new and what advantage that offers in terms of driving distances.  

Globalised supply chain may test logistics RE's strength

Re-purposing assets led by consumer demand - Sean Culey

Covid measures extend Skanska's existing ESG practices