IRHM, Your Global Window into Real Estate and Hospitality

February 17, 2026

Commercial

Swire Properties and Lujiazui Group have launched Qiantan Place in Shanghai’s Pudong district, featuring two premium Grade-A office towers: One Qiantan Place (30 storeys) and Two Qiantan Place (24 storeys). The launch begins the pre-leasing phase for the new workspaces, which are part of the expanded Taikoo Li Qiantan mixed-use development. This development reinforces Swire Properties’ significant operational footprint in Shanghai.
Alexander & Baldwin Inc. (A&B), a major Hawaiʻi commercial real estate owner, has entered a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by a joint venture including MW Group, Blackstone Real Estate, and DivcoWest. The all-cash deal values the company at approximately $2.3 billion, with shareholders receiving $21.20 per share, a 40.0 per cent premium. A&B, the largest owner of grocery-anchored shopping centres in Hawaiʻi, will become a private company following the expected closure in the first quarter of 2026. The investor group has pledged to retain the company's local focus, leadership, and brand, alongside a commitment to invest over $100 million into the property portfolio.
Cushman & Wakefield's Senior Director, Aaron Barnard, SIOR, CCIM, has officially taken up the role of President-Elect for The Society of Industrial and Office Realtors® (SIOR). Serving a one-year term on the SIOR Board of Directors, his appointment was confirmed at the organisation's Fall 2025 conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Based in Bloomington, Minnesota, Mr Barnard is a 33-year veteran of the commercial real estate sector, specialising in investment analysis and leasing programmes across various US markets.
Simon, a real estate investment trust and S&P 100 company, has announced the acquisition of the retail centre component of Phillips Place in Charlotte, North Carolina. This transaction, announced on 18 November 2025, sees Simon take ownership of the open-air retail space in the SouthPark neighbourhood. The retail centre spans 134,000 square feet and is famous for its specialty shops and dining. Phillips Place is a wider mixed-use destination that already included a 180+ room hotel owned by Simon, along with a multi-family residential component.
Bungalow Projects and Bain Capital Real Estate have secured $304 million in construction financing for Echelon Studios, two next-generation film and television production campuses in Brooklyn. The developments will deliver 600,000 sq ft of soundstages, office, and support space, backed by New York’s largest-ever C-PACE financing package.
eXp Realty has launched its UK Commercial division, making it the first agent-led platform in the country to combine residential and commercial real estate services under one model.

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