Real Asset Media Thought Leaders

Introduction to REALX the virtual property show

As Covid-19 creates a barrier to physical events that may last into the autumn, Richard Betts of Real Asset Media highlights a new initiative designed to bring the industry together under one virtual roof.

 

REALX, the global conference and exhibition launches on the 17th/18th of September and is designed as an 'effective and efficient way to help the industry jump back into the market after the summer break'.

Redevco: Physical retail is still worth investing in

Redevco’s Andrew Vaughan tells Real Asset Media's Richard Betts how the retail investor has streamlined its portfolio to prosper in today’s rapidly changing market.

Physical retail is still worth investing in, provided three conditions are met, says Vaughan: 'Good quality buildings in the right locations and flexibility. We fundamentally still believe in retail and with those three ingredients you are going to be okay.’

Redevco’s CEO sees the strategy continuing to evolve: 'We’re heading in the same direction as before, we’re looking much more at mixed-use, we’re into residential, we’re starting to look at some other sectors as well.'

Leisure is critical for post-covid retail return to prosperity

Michael Harrison, Co-Founder and COO of UK-based active leisure specialist Gravity tells Real Asset Day how the company is well-positioned for a post-pandemic retail world in which leisure will be critical.

Covid-19 has accelerated the retail market’s thinking on the direction the sector needs to take to return to prosperity, according to Harrison.

Landlords are coming around to the idea that leisure cannot be a secondary component of a shopping centre anymore, it needs to be front and centre as part of the retail environment,” he explains.

It is widely known that retailer fortunes, on the high street and in shopping centres, have been dwindling for some time says Harrison adding: “The pandemic has sped up what I have been preaching for the last five years – that leisure needs to be an integral part of the high street in the shopping mall."

Three real estate opportunities to grasp in Spain

Cristina García Peri, Head of Corporate Development and Strategy, Azora, tells The Real Asset Day they are focusing on leisure, affordable housing and logistics in Spain:

Leisure hotels in the belief that tourism will come back strongly, affordable housing because there is a huge shortage and light industrial properties, especially mixed-use assets with offices and logistics focused on e-commerce.

RealCast: Logistics and infrastructure power ahead

Judi Seebus, Nicol Dynes and Dan Innes join Richard Betts to analyse the week's real estate headlines including:

 

• Prologis releases positive 2nd quarter figures
• LCP completes largest pre-let logistics development in Europe and sells to DWS
• UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) data better than expected for retail
• UK ONS data shows record levels of e-commerce
• Speculative development in logistics returns with Verdion in Germany 
• BNP research on retail in Poland more positive than expected
• Opportunity highlighted for retail and office in smaller cities post-Covid 
• AXA Investment Management raises €1bn infrastructure debt fund
• Azora sees opportunities in renewable energy
• Flexibility in operational real estate 
• Real Capital Analytics - 1H 2020 data preview

Renewable energy: An opportunity for real estate investors

Cristina García Peri, Head of Corporate Development and Strategy, Azora, tells The Real Asset Day that there are real synergies with real estate and renewable energy. It offers the chance to get attractive returns and to benefit from legislation that favours investment in the renewable energy sector, as much more capacity needs to be added.

 

Interview by Real Asset Day's Richard Betts

ULI France: Collaboration key to meeting industry challenges

As the new Chair of ULI France, Sébastien Chemouny, Head of France at Allianz Real Estate, tells the Real Asset Day that he has three main priorities; increase customer value by focusing on content, further enhance the reputation of ULI France, and grow the membership.  

 

Chemouny sees collaboration and sharing insights as key to meeting the challenges in the industry, not least those trends accelerated by COVID-19; sustainable development, digitisation, and how cities work with buildings.

 

A key focus will also be on the future of the industry including the Young Leaders and Next Generation. This is reflected in the ULI France conference on 12th November which focuses on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games; how to make the investment financially viable and how to create the right heritage for the future.

 

Interview with Richard Betts of Real Asset Media.

Student housing investment outlook post-Covid

Charles Combet, Relationship Manager, aVP Special Property Finance - Hotel & PBSA Properties, Aareal Bank AG; Luke Nolan, Founder & CEO, student.com; Lambros Reppas, Asset Management Micro Living & Residential, CORESTATE Capital Group; Samuel Vetrak, CEO, BONARD and Rob Waterhouse, Head of Transactions, Global Student Accommodation discuss the outlook for the student housing investment market in the wake of COVID-19.
Event hosted by Real Asset Media.

Office trends: Flexibility and a shift to suburban markets

There was already a structural shift towards flexible space, offering flexibility to tenants and a variety of amenities, Jonny Rosenblatt, co-CEO, Spacemade tells the Real Asset Day. The health crisis has accelerated these trends; 'workers and employees want full flexibility over where they work, the times they work, how they work and how they collaborate with their team,' says Rosenblatt. He also sees an increased shift towards suburban markets: 'We've just launched a space in a really strong London suburb, Queens Park, and we've seen an enormous uptake bigger than any of our other spaces.' 

Well-being is key to future proofing offices

With sustainability and technology a 'must-have' for prime buildings today, Tomáš Jurdák, Partner, Head of Real Estate at MiddleCap tells the Real Estate Day that their focus is on creating additional value in terms of well-being.