Global Headline

Mega Projects

Arada Capital and Alya sign strategic agreement targeting an initial AED 6 billion real estate pipeline

Arada Capital and Alya have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form a strategic co-investment partnership. The collaboration targets premium residential and mixed-use real estate projects across the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Initially focusing on developments in Downtown Dubai and Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, the alliance has an anticipated starting gross development value of approximately AED 6 billion, with plans for further projects.

Hotels & Resorts

Minor Hotels outlines global portfolio expansion across six new territories for 2027

Minor Hotels has unveiled its global expansion pipeline for 2027, introducing new luxury and lifestyle properties across six new markets. The group will debut in Bahrain, Croatia, Malta, Singapore, Slovenia and Uzbekistan. The rollout includes entering the US and UK luxury sectors with The Wolseley Hotels, Minor Reserve Collection and Colbert Collection, alongside expanding established brands like Anantara, Avani and NH Collection across six continents.

Investment

Swiss venture firm Redalpine fund raises $250 million to back European tech start-ups

Zürich-based venture capital firm Redalpine has completed the final close of its eighth early-stage fund, Redalpine Capital VIII, securing $250 million. The oversubscribed fund increases the firm’s total assets under management to over $1.4 billion. Redalpine plans to back roughly 20 early-stage European start-ups operating across fusion energy, artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology, leading Seed and Series A financing rounds.

Urban Development

Vinhomes and Mitsubishi sign strategic agreement on urban infrastructure

Vinhomes Joint Stock Company and Mitsubishi Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for comprehensive strategic cooperation in urban infrastructure development. The agreement focuses on housing, infrastructure and sustainable development projects across Vietnam. Signed during the Vietnam-Japan Public-Private Forum in Japan, the agreement expands on an existing partnership established in 2019 to help Vietnam work towards its 2050 net zero emissions target.

Logistics

CTP expands into Asia with $500m deal for Vietnam logistics platform

European logistics developer CTP has agreed terms to acquire the South-East Asia Logistics Partners portfolio and operating platform in Vietnam for approximately $500 million. Owned by Ares Management Corporation, SLP brings 1.1 million sqm of existing and development NLA alongside an established local team. The move builds on CTP’s entry into Vietnam earlier this year and accelerates its broader growth strategy across Asia.

Tourism

EU unveils new sustainable strategy to protect Europe’s top global tourism status

The European Commission has launched a new EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness, sustainability and resilience. Designed to support businesses, upgrade workforce skills and improve visitor management, the initiative addresses key challenges like climate change, talent shortages and geopolitical uncertainty. By enhancing digital tools and global cooperation, the plan ensures Europe maintains its position as the world's leading travel destination.

What’s New

Interview

Leadership, Luxury and the Future of Hospitality in West Africa

Residential

Arada secures planning consent for AED1.6 billion Wattle Green community in Sydney

Logistics

Swiss Life Asset Managers expands Hanover North I logistics development site in Wietze

Building

Historic Neo-Renaissance building on Prague’s Strossmayer Square to be converted into 21 apartments

MagaZine

Coverstory

Capital. Code. Concrete.

Hotels & Resorts

Navigating the institutional capital shift toward flexible living assets across the Australian property market

Transportation

China Is Building the World’s Most Automated Transport Network

Proptech

Are Smart Buildings Creating a New Category of Cybersecurity Risk?

Urban Development

Greenfield, Culture and Concrete

Tech & Innovation

Robotics on Construction Sites: How automation is moving from the factory floor to the job site

Tourism

How Anime Tourism Is Reshaping Hotels, Retail and Local Business Across Japan

Investment

The Island Baron: Inside Larry Ellison’s real estate empire

Oil & Gas

Digital Oilfields Are Redrawing the Real Estate Map of Global Energy

Architecture

Destination Architecture: How landmark buildings are becoming tourism destinations in their own right

Featured

Culinary

Where the menu meets the master plan

Residential

Policy Provides the Mandate. Architecture Delivers the Space.

Tourism

Who does AI put on the map?

ESG & Sustainability

World Environment Day is not a commemoration. It is a commitment.

Leadership

REIT

ESR appoints Roy Teo to lead Southeast Asia operations

ESR has named Roy Teo as Head of Southeast Asia, with his appointment taking effect in January 2027. Operating out of Singapore, Teo will direct regional strategy across asset management, property operations and development. Bringing over 25 years of industry experience from SB Asset & Investment Management, SB REIT Management and Ascendas Fund Management, he joins ESR's Executive Leadership team to drive regional expansion.

Investment

Arada Capital completes ADGM incorporation and appoints senior leadership

Arada Capital, the proposed fund management arm of developer Arada, has completed its incorporation in Abu Dhabi Global Market. The company has appointed Abdullah Mohammed Al Mazrui as an independent Board Member and Aastha Billore as Chief Investment Officer. Subject to receiving its Financial Services Permission, the firm targets USD 5 billion in assets under management within four years.

Culinary

The Wolseley Hospitality Group names Laura Mills as Managing Director

The Wolseley Hospitality Group has appointed Laura Mills as its new Managing Director. Former Managing Director of The Ivy Collection, Mills brings nearly 15 years of senior hospitality leadership to the role. Owned by Minor International Trading Company Limited, the London-based group operates iconic dining venues including The Wolseley, Brasserie Zédel and The Delaunay, known for all-day dining and personalised service.

Industrial

Frasers Property appoints Jai Mirpuri as Chief Executive Officer of industrial and logistics business

Frasers Property Limited has appointed Jai Mirpuri as the new Chief Executive Officer of Frasers Property Industrial, effective 11 January 2027. Based in Singapore, he will oversee industrial and logistics operations across Australia and Europe while managing Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust (FLCT). With over 23 years of sector experience, Mirpuri joins from ESR Group to drive global expansion and capital partnerships.

Market Trends

ESG & Sustainability

Ascott achieves Global Sustainable Tourism Council certification for half of eligible portfolio

Logistics

Verdion and L&G secure planning approval for £30 million Greenwich urban logistics scheme

Investment

M&G finalises Edinburgh Haymarket regeneration with £100 million hotel development

Residential

M&G Real Estate acquires €340 million Amsterdam residential campus

Regional Focus

Mega Projects

Modon partners with Montage Hotels & Resorts to bring ultra-luxury hospitality brand to Egypt’s Ras El Hekma

Modon Holding has partnered with Montage Hotels & Resorts to launch a luxury resort and residential development on Egypt's Mediterranean coast. The project will feature 200 rooms alongside 96 exclusive branded villas for purchase within the Wadi Yemm precinct. Serving as part of the USD 35 billion Ras El Hekma mega project, the development introduces high-end international hospitality to the region.

Urban Development

New British international school to open in Riyadh’s SEDRA community

ROSHN Group and Cognita Middle East have announced a major new King’s College Riyadh campus in the SEDRA community. This project is ROSHN’s largest private education development to date. Spanning 36,300 m², the facility will offer a British-international curriculum for students from pre-school to secondary levels. The partnership aims to provide world-class schooling and high-end sports facilities, supporting the growth of one of Riyadh’s fastest-growing residential neighborhoods.

Urban Development

Saudi Arabia and Syria agree major investment deals across key sectors

Saudi Arabia and Syria have signed a series of strategic investment agreements covering aviation, telecommunications, and infrastructure. Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih led a high-level delegation to Damascus to meet with President Ahmad Al-Sharaa. The deals include a major redevelopment of Aleppo International Airport and the creation of a new joint airline with Flynas. STC will lead efforts to modernise Syria's digital infrastructure while ACWA Power explores a large-scale desalination project.

Lifestyle

New lifestyle hub BAY360 set to transform Jumeirah Lakes Towers

A new community destination named BAY360 is coming to Jumeirah Lakes Towers, featuring a flagship Spinneys supermarket and a variety of waterfront dining options. Developed by DMCC and Sweid & Sweid, the project aims to improve the liveability of the district through better pedestrian access and modern lifestyle amenities. Scheduled for completion in 2027, the hub will occupy part of Lake D and include essential medical services and rooftop sports facilities.

Sustainability

One Ayala East and West Towers achieve LEED Gold status in sustainability push

Ayala Land Offices’ One Ayala East and West Towers in Makati City have achieved LEED Gold certification for their 74,531-square-meter commercial space. Alongside the South Tower, all three buildings have also secured EDGE Zero Carbon status via 100% renewable energy use and efficiency measures, offering global tenants premium office space aligned with strict corporate ESG targets.

Real Estate Economics

Vinhomes launches scheme allowing buyers to convert gold into property

Vinhomes has launched a five-year scheme alongside gold and silver companies to help clients convert idle gold into cash to purchase properties. Buyers can later opt to keep the real estate or receive 110% of their converted gold value. The initiative aims to mobilize capital while supporting Vinhomes as it targets a record revenue growth of over 15% this year.

Building

New eco-resort township breaks ground in Sa Pa

Construction has officially commenced on the EcoSapa Eco-Resort Township at the Ô Quy Hồ Tea hill in Lào Cai Province. The project is a joint venture between Ecopark Hải Dương Investment JSC and Hồng Phong Investment and Development Co., Ltd. Designed by enCity, the development aims to integrate tourism, tea culture and luxury resort living into the natural mountain landscape of northern Vietnam.

Residential

M&G Real Estate buys six Tokyo apartment blocks for USD 126 million

M&G Real Estate has expanded its Japanese portfolio with a JPY 19.4 billion investment in six residential buildings across Tokyo. The deal, worth approximately USD 126 million, targets the city's high demand for rental housing. These assets will join the M&G Asia Property and Asia Living Property strategies, capitalising on Tokyo’s limited housing supply and steady population growth to provide reliable long term returns for global investors.

REIT

Home REIT agrees sale of 706 asset portfolio for £123 million

Home REIT has exchanged contracts for the sale of 706 properties to Patron Capital in a deal worth £123 million. This transaction represents the vast majority of the company's asset portfolio. Completion is expected by 1 April 2026 with a secured payment structure in place. While the board intends to return capital to shareholders, the timing remains uncertain due to ongoing potential litigation and legal claims against the company.

Logistics

Valor and QuadReal secure second Berlin logistics site in two months

Valor Real Estate Partners and QuadReal Property Group have extended their partnership in the German market with the acquisition of a 6,000 sqm logistics asset in Berlin. Located in the Charlottenburg-North submarket, the modern cross-dock facility serves as a critical last-mile hub for the city. This transaction follows a significant investment in Lichtenberg last month, highlighting the joint venture's focus on high-demand urban areas.

Investment

Roadside Real Estate enters petrol market with £17.8 million Gardner acquisition

Roadside Real Estate is set to acquire Gardner Retail for approximately £17.8 million, marking a major strategic move into the petrol forecourt sector. The deal involves six high quality sites in Southwest England that generated £33.9 million in revenue last year. Roadside will fund the acquisition by expanding its existing debt facility with Tarncourt Properties. This transaction is expected to be immediately earnings accretive and serves as a foundation for further consolidation in the roadside retail market. The company has already paid a multi million pound deposit with completion scheduled for early 2026.

Building

Dominus and Cheyne Capital seal deal for landmark Ibex House hotel transformation

Dominus and Cheyne Capital have acquired the Grade II-listed Ibex House in the City of London for conversion into a 382-room hotel. The Art Deco landmark, built in the 1930s, will undergo a sustainable transformation designed by Studio Moren. The project aims to preserve the majority of the original structure while targeting top-tier environmental certifications. Alongside luxury guest rooms, the scheme includes the reopening of a historic pub and the launch of a new hospitality training academy.

Nigeria to host second Renewed Hope Housing PPP Summit in Abuja

Nigeria will host the second Renewed Hope Housing PPP Summit this April in Abuja. The event focuses on turning policies into bankable projects through private sector partnerships. High level officials including Vice President Kashim Shettima will discuss financing and risk frameworks. The summit includes a training workshop for developers and seeks to accelerate large scale home construction across the country.

Infrastructure

HS Hwaseong enters African market with Kenyan BRT contract

HS Hwaseong has won its first African infrastructure contract to build a 10.5km Bus Rapid Transit system in Nairobi. The 78.4 billion won project includes 13 stations and five bridges. Supported by South Korean development funds, the 24-month build aims to reduce Kenyan traffic congestion. The firm will use its 68 years of experience to implement eco-friendly and smart construction methods in this new market.

Anambra State clears final hurdles for 10,000 low-cost housing mega project

The Anambra State Government is moving ahead with its ambitious low-cost housing initiative after resolving last-minute bureaucratic and contractual issues. The scheme aims to construct 10,000 affordable homes for civil servants and low-income households in the Isiagu area of Awka South Local Government. The project, which has been approved by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, will be executed via a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with real estate developers.

Nigerian states partners with consortium to build 100,000 housing units

Efforts to deliver 100,000 mixed housing units across the South-East region of Nigeria have commenced following a major agreement in Enugu. The $10 billion (N15 trillion) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is between the Igboebinie Plc consortium and Hand of God Construction Company Limited. The project will feature smart city designs and will create an estimated three million jobs. The development aims to tackle Nigeria’s significant housing deficit and redefine urban infrastructure, positioning the region as a hub for investment and sustainable living.

Real Estate Economics

Marcus & Millichap brokers sale and funding for Michigan apartment complex

Marcus & Millichap has brokered the sale of Sturgis Crossings, a 42-unit residential property in Saint Johns, Michigan. Its subsidiary, Marcus & Millichap Capital Corporation, secured acquisition financing through a national credit union for the local buyer. The 29,770-square-foot asset sits north of Lansing and was sold by an out-of-state vendor as part of a 1031 exchange strategy.

Mixed-Use

Arlington approves major mixed-use redevelopment for central car park site

Arlington City Council has backed a major redevelopment scheme to turn 7.3 acres of central surface parking into a multi-purpose complex. Private firm Trammell Crow Company will construct at least 390 homes, commercial space and a 600-car garage, investing over $123 million. The municipality retains land ownership whilst acquiring a new Water Utilities office, infrastructure and 197 free public parking spaces under a 99-year lease agreement.

Commercial

eMaxx launches new Commercial Property Program through the eMaxx Reciprocal Insurance Exchange

eMaxx has introduced a Commercial Property Program powered by the eMaxx Reciprocal Insurance Exchange. Designed for building owners facing premium volatility and disputed valuations, the policyholder-owned structure rewards commercial property owners who invest in proactive risk management. Coverage is available to businesses meeting Highly Protected Risk Catastrophe standards, with primary insurance provided through an A.M. Best A-rated carrier and reinsurance supported by the eMaxx Reciprocal.

Residential

Greystone Capital Advisors arranges $103 million bridge loan for Texas residential portfolio

Greystone Capital Advisors has arranged a $103 million bridge loan for Vantage Communities Inc. to refinance three residential developments in Central Texas. The floating-rate debt covers 864 Class A units across the Austin and San Antonio areas. Provided by Benefit Street Partners, the interest-only facility features an initial three-year term with extension options to support the portfolio through full property stabilisation.