Global Headline

Oil & Gas

ExxonMobil issues letter of intent to SMDC joint venture for Mozambique Rovuma LNG Phase 1

ExxonMobil Mozambique Limitada has awarded a Letter of Intent to the SMDC joint venture for the midstream execution of the Rovuma LNG Phase 1 project. Comprising McDermott, Saipem, Daewoo Engineering & Construction and CPECC, the consortium will perform initial design, procurement and constructability tasks. The $18.6\text{ million tonne}$ per year facility targets a Final Investment Decision in 2026, ahead of scheduled 2031 commercial operations.

Urban Development

Sun Group launches 40 trillion VND social housing project in Phu Quoc

Sun Group has officially launched a 40 trillion VND development in Phu Quoc, creating nearly 50,000 social and rental housing units built to Singapore standards. Located in the An Thoi urban area, the 55-hectare complex supports Vietnam's national housing goals and infrastructure expansion ahead of the APEC 2027 summit.

Investment

Brookfield secures $2 billion first close for Middle East private equity fund

Brookfield Corporation has achieved a $2 billion initial close for its new Middle East-focused private equity fund. Anchored by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Brookfield Middle East Partners will target high-growth markets across the region, directing half of its investments toward Saudi Arabian businesses. The initiative aims to deepen local capital markets and expand regional financing options across key commercial sectors.

Mega Projects

Sun Group breaks ground on major entertainment hub in Da Nang

Sun Group has officially broken ground on the Sun Galaxy Complex, a VND 10,750 billion entertainment hub in Da Nang. Situated along the Han River in Ngu Hanh Son ward, the development features an outdoor venue with nearly 20,000 seats, alongside a 47-story tower offering hospitality and retail facilities. The project aims to establish a year-round destination for global events and enhance the local night-time economy.

Oil & Gas

Kuwait Oil Company signs landmark 16 billion dollar infrastructure deal with global investor consortium

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation subsidiary Kuwait Oil Company has signed a 16 billion US dollar deal with Blackstone, Brookfield and KKR. The 20.5-year lease and leaseback agreement covers the firm’s domestic and export crude oil pipeline network. Marking the largest foreign direct investment in Kuwait history, the deal will provide 7.85 billion US dollars in upfront proceeds to support national production goals.

Mega Projects

Bangkok Riverside Set for Sustainable Cable Car and MONA Museum Expansion

Asset World Corporation has revealed plans for two major projects along the Chao Phraya River, featuring an eco-friendly cross-river cable car and the new MONA Bangkok art museum. Developed alongside Australia’s Museum of Old and New Art, MONA Bangkok will form an unconventional cultural destination at Asiatique The Riverfront. The multi-billion baht initiative aims to enhance the city's sustainable tourism and creative offerings.

What’s New

Infrastructure

Arup and Obermeyer appointed to masterplan Leverkusen motorway junction redesign

Logistics

DP World expands UK logistics footprint with transfer of six grocery sites from GXO

Tech & Innovation

Tether partners with First Data and BKN301 to launch real estate tokenisation platform in Saudi Arabia

REIT

CapitaLand Ascott Trust to acquire Coliwoo Midtown in Singapore for S$134 million, expanding its living sector portfolio and enhancing stable income

MagaZine

Hotels & Resorts

The Legacy Over Four Continents: The story of Millennium’s global expansion

Mixed-Use

Redefining City Living: How Strategic Housing Group is shaping the future of residential hospitality

Proptech

From Data to Design: How CHAOS puts people at the heart of urban development

Residential

How North Bucharest Investments is Shaping Bucharest’s Residential Market

Residential

“Mauritius shifts from vacation homes to permanent residences”

Urban Development

The GCC’s Grand Handover: Real Estate enters its next chapter

Residential

The Branded Residence Premium: A tale of two cities

Proptech

Asia’s PropTech Visionaries: Five companies changing real estate

Building

Ten firms leading Asia’s shift to factory-built construction

REIT

Asian REITs bounce back as liquidity returns

Spa & Wellness

Longevity Retreat: How Saudi Arabia and the UAE are redefining luxury wellness.

Architecture

How Middle Eastern climate design is reshaping Asia’s property markets

Featured

ESG & Sustainability

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

Spa & Wellness

Inside the $584B Wellness Real Estate Shift: How neuro-responsive design is redefining luxury hospitality

Architecture

Architecture: Evolution throughout the ages

Investment

Mukesh Ambani secures $17.4 million Tribeca Property previously owned by tech billionaire Robert Pera

Leadership

Proptech

Zillow reshuffles top leadership to accelerate housing super app strategy

Zillow has announced major changes to its executive leadership team to drive the growth of its residential property super app. Finance chief Jeremy Hofmann steps into an expanded role as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, following Jun Choo's decision to step down for health reasons. Former Google executive Sandi Knight also joins the property technology firm as its first Chief Legal and Policy Officer.

Logistics

ESR appoints Reini Otter as new head for Australia and New Zealand business

Real asset manager ESR has appointed Reini Otter as Chief Executive Officer for its Australia and New Zealand operations. Based in Sydney, he will oversee regional growth, focusing on fund management, logistics real estate and data centres. He succeeds Phil Pearce, who established the regional branch in 2018 and now steps into the role of corporate President following the company's 2025 privatisation.

Industrial

Panattoni names industry veteran Sharad Gohil to head Indian expansion plans

Industrial developer Panattoni has named Sharad Gohil as CEO and Managing Director of Panattoni India to drive its regional expansion. Gohil, the former head of IndoSpace Capital Asia, brings over 25 years of global real estate experience. He will lead the firm's growth across Indian logistics hubs, manufacturing corridors and emerging digital infrastructure markets, including data centres.

Commercial

Greystone names commercial real estate finance veteran Nicholas M. Gesue as Chief Operating Officer

Commercial real estate finance firm Greystone has named industry veteran Nicholas M. Gesue as Chief Operating Officer. Based in New York, Mr Gesue brings 25 years of platform-building experience to oversee the company's daily lending, servicing and asset management divisions. He joins following senior executive roles at NewPoint Real Estate Capital, ORIX Real Estate Capital and Lument Capital.

Market Trends

Real Estate Economics

ESR exceeds US$2 billion refinancing target following strong global lender demand

Investment

Greystone secures $105.8 million Freddie Mac refinancing for California apartment complexes

Infrastructure

L&T Energy Hydrocarbon Offshore secures ultra-mega contract from ADNOC Offshore

Investment

Blackstone to finance acquisition of HSBC’s A$36 billion Australian home loan portfolio

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.

Greystar closes deal for major student housing development at Penn State

Greystar has finalised a deal for the University Drive student housing project at Pennsylvania State University. Developed alongside JLC Infrastructure, the scheme will deliver 1,505 beds across 703 units in four podium-style buildings. This project is the second student housing asset for the Greystar infrastructure platform and marks the first public-private partnership housing venture for the university.

Residential

Property firm Kennedy Wilson seals 237 million dollar deal for New York apartment complex

A joint venture led by global real estate specialist Kennedy Wilson has purchased the Carraway housing development in Westchester County for $237 million. The 421-unit Class A residential site in West Harrison was bought alongside Japanese partners Kenedix and Hulic. Situated 25 miles north of Manhattan, the complex features a mix of flats, structured parking and ground-floor retail units.

Real Estate Economics

Cushman and Wakefield brokers record office sale in Indiana

Real estate services firm Cushman and Wakefield has completed the 12.25 million USD sale of Monon and Main in Carmel, Indiana. Trading at 354 USD per square foot, the 34,650-square-foot mixed-use property has set a new record for office sales in the state. The four-story boutique building was entirely leased at the time of the transaction.

Residential

The Scion Group and Ares Management announce $910 million student housing acquisition

The Scion Group and Ares Management have established a strategic partnership to invest in US student housing, launching with a $910 million portfolio acquisition. The deal covers 12 properties and 7,578 beds serving premier American universities. This transaction boosts Scion's total portfolio above 105,000 beds, establishing the firm as the world's largest owner of off-campus student accommodation.