Global Headline

Hotels & Resorts

Marriott International opens 800th Asia Pacific property with Laos debut

Marriott International has marked its 800th property in Asia Pacific excluding China with its debut in Laos, launching La Résidence Phou Vao, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Luang Prabang. The 36-suite hilltop retreat integrates local Lao craftsmanship and French dining within a UNESCO World Heritage site, expanding the group's regional luxury footprint.

Logistics

DP World launches new China-Africa Link maritime service

DP World is expanding its Far East shipping network with the launch of the China Africa Link, a weekly maritime service commencing in late November 2026. Connecting major ports across China, Malaysia, Tanzania, Mozambique and Singapore, the service complements over $665 million in African port infrastructure investments, strengthening trade channels for industrial goods and regional commodities.

Energy

Hyundai E&C secures five-year U.S. nuclear partnership deal

Hyundai E&C has signed a five-year Master Service Agreement with U.S. nuclear firm FANCO for the EAGL-1 project. The partnership secures Hyundai E&C's involvement from the design phase of the lead-bismuth-cooled fast reactor, strengthening its position in the American small modular reactor market.

Investment

Arcapita to launch $1.5 billion GCC industrial real estate expansion

Bahrain-based Arcapita Group Holdings Limited is planning to invest $1.5 billion in GCC industrial and logistics real estate over the next two years. The expansion targets build-to-suit developments across the region to address growing demand for modern supply chain infrastructure. The strategy will be managed through its dedicated platform, Lintara Properties, building on its existing $2 billion regional portfolio.

Edamah and Kanoo Real Estate partner to develop Pier 1890 on Manama Corniche

Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company (Edamah) and Kanoo Real Estate have partnered to construct Pier 1890, a new waterfront commercial and leisure scheme on the Manama Corniche. Unveiled at Gateway Gulf 2026, the 11,000 square metre development will house 25 units, including restaurants, cafes and retail spaces. The project supports public-private cooperation and aligns with the goals of Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.

Tourism

Qatar Tourism joins PATA to expand ties across Asia Pacific

Qatar Tourism has officially joined the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) as its newest destination member. Formalised at WTM London 2026, the partnership aims to expand Qatar’s engagement with tourism stakeholders across the Asia Pacific region. The strategic move comes as Doha holds the title of 2026 GCC Tourism Capital, supporting national efforts to build international partnerships and attract visitors from key source markets.

What’s New

Interview

Leadership, Luxury and the Future of Hospitality in West Africa

Residential

MERED launches Riviera Residences Phase 2 in Abu Dhabi expansion

Mixed-Use

RAK Central Square tops out as Ras Al Khaimah advances 2027 business hub

Residential

Condor Developers completes AED 120 million Condor Fortuna project in Majan

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

Investment

EBRD backs expansion of Kazakh restaurant operator ABR

Tech & Innovation

Customer Alliance partners with Cloudbeds to automate hotel feedback and reputation management

Industrial

Brookfield and CPP Investments take LXP Industrial Trust private in $5.2 billion deal

Mixed-Use

Lincoln Property Company, Vision Ventures and Hornets Sports & Entertainment acquire Queen City Quarter

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.