Global Headline

Hotels & Resorts

Miraval brand launches first wellness resort outside United States with Saudi Arabia opening

Miraval Resorts and Spas has opened its first international location, Miraval The Red Sea, on Shura Island in Saudi Arabia. Announced on 9 June 2026, the 180-room adults-only wellness retreat blends the brand's mindfulness philosophy with local heritage. The eco-friendly resort features the largest spa on the island, plant-forward dining and specialised wellness programs powered completely by renewable energy.

Urban Development

PIF and Talaat Moustafa Group Saudi sign MoU exploration deal for urban development and livability ecosystem

The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia has signed a non-binding agreement with Talaat Moustafa Group Saudi for Real Estate Development. The partnership intends to explore mixed-use property opportunities across the asset portfolio of the wealth fund. This initiative directly supports the newly launched urban development and livability ecosystem within the strategic 2026-2030 roadmap of the sovereign fund.

ESG & Sustainability

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

World Environment Day is a prompt. What matters is everything before it. From Asia-Pacific real estate to European hotel groups, and a landmark EU directive that came into force this month, we look at the organisations and governments proving that sustainability has moved from the edges of the built environment to its centre.

Lifestyle

Hilton expands university presence with launch of Undergraduate brand

Hilton has launched Undergraduate by Hilton, a new upper-midscale hotel brand targeting university and college towns. Designed to complement the Graduate by Hilton chain, the brand features a flexible development model for new builds and conversions. Hilton aims to open the first property in 2027, with a long-term expansion target of 400 to 500 hotels globally.

Building

Crestpoint Real Estate Investments, Vestcor and Anthem Properties break ground on King + Park masterplan

Construction has commenced on King + Park, an ambitious mixed-use masterplan development at the gateway to Burnaby, British Columbia. Joint venture partners Crestpoint Real Estate Investments, Vestcor and Anthem Properties celebrated the milestone alongside local officials. The transit-oriented scheme will deliver vital rental housing across multiple phases and includes the extensive refurbishment of a landmark 50-year-old local office tower.

Hotels & Resorts

Spark by Hilton enters Italian hotel market with new Milan airport project

Hilton has announced plans to introduce its premium economy brand, Spark by Hilton, to Italy following an agreement with ELE Spa. The 118-room Spark by Hilton Milan Linate Airport is scheduled to open later this year, situated near the terminal. This property will be the eleventh Hilton brand to establish a presence or enter the development pipeline across Italy.

What’s New

Building

Reportage Group starts building new Sensi luxury housing development on Saadiyat Island

Tourism

Meliá Hotels International joins global tourism body as newest member

Logistics

Hellmann starts work on new automotive logistics hub in Dubai

Mixed-Use

Archi and NEXT officially present $300 million Swissôtel Kobuleti Beach Resort in Kobuleti

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

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

Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts surpasses one million open rooms globally amid continued expansion

Leadership

Residential

AvalonBay and Equity Residential name future leadership team ahead of major merger

AvalonBay Communities and Equity Residential have revealed the future executive leadership team for their combined firm. The appointments will take effect after the completion of their multi-billion dollar corporate merger, which is scheduled for the second half of 2026. The new entity will control a substantial residential portfolio containing more than 180,000 rental apartments across the United States.

Commercial

Griffin Partners expands executive team with key senior appointments in Texas

Houston real estate investment firm Griffin Partners has expanded its senior leadership team to manage its growing national portfolio. Kelly Agent has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, and long-serving principal Lee Moreland has been appointed as Chief Portfolio Officer. The executive changes aim to scale operations across the company's 6.7 million square feet of commercial property.

Regional Insights

Marjan Group appoints new senior executive team to lead Ras Al Khaimah projects

Marjan Group has appointed new senior executives to lead its development, hospitality, and lifestyle sectors in Ras Al Khaimah. Key hires include Sheikh Saqr bin Omar Al Qasimi, Alison Grinnell, and Donald Bremner as CEOs of their respective divisions. The restructure supports the Emirate’s accelerated growth and global investment strategy.

Investment

JLL appoints Julien Naouri as new head of investment sales for Asia

JLL has promoted Julien Naouri to lead its hotel investment sales across Asia. Based in Singapore, Naouri starts his new role on 1 April 2026. He will manage the firm's sales strategy and operations throughout the region. With nearly twenty years of experience, he aims to help clients navigate a busy market as JLL forecasts hotel investment volumes to reach $13.3 billion this year.

Market Trends

Proptech

Neural Earth unveils Prometheus platform to modernise risk analysis for insurers and property investors

Investment

Nippon Life enters major investment partnership with Blackstone

Real Estate Economics

Greystar secures over €2.7 billion for record-breaking European rental housing fund

Regional Insights

GID Residential Partners enters Boston market to tackle housing shortages

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.

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.

Logistics

ESR secures 1.6 billion RMB for new China logistics income fund

ESR has partnered with two Chinese insurance giants to establish a RMB 1.6 billion income fund focused on prime logistics assets. The deal involves the recapitalisation of two multi-storey industrial properties in Shanghai and Suzhou, totalling 320,000 square metres. By retaining management of the portfolio, ESR continues its capital recycling strategy while meeting the high demand from domestic institutional investors for modern supply chain infrastructure.

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.

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.

Residential

Bridge Tower and Blackmon Real Estate launch joint venture to expand homeownership pathways in Atlanta

Bridge Tower and Blackmon Real Estate have established a joint venture called Build-to-Ownership to boost homeownership access in Greater Atlanta. The initiative replaces traditional renting models with a structured lease-to-own system. Led by Jackson Su and Michael S. Render, the program utilizes newly built homes to help families build equity, secure long term financial stability and establish deep roots within their local communities.

Logistics

Prologis and GIC launch $1.6 billion logistics joint venture in the US

Prologis and GIC have established a $1.6 billion joint venture to develop build-to-suit logistics facilities across the United States. The partnership starts with a 4.1 million square foot portfolio and aims to meet rising demand for custom distribution centres. By combining GIC's institutional capital with the development expertise of Prologis, the venture targets long-term growth in the North American industrial sector.

Harris County approves 83-acre suburban hub for Houston Texans

Harris County has approved the 83-acre Toro District in Bridgeland. This public-private partnership with the Houston Texans and Howard Hughes Communities includes a 22-acre team headquarters and training facility. The project features $150 million in infrastructure funding and aims to generate $34 billion in economic impact. Moving from NRG Stadium, the Texans seek a world-class environment for operations while providing new jobs and community resources for the growing northwest Houston corridor.