Britons woo Middle East real estate investment

Dubai / EMIRATES BUSINESS

British representation at Cityscape Global this week almost doubled year on year, as developers compete for Middle Eastern investment amid the post-Brexit vote and a period of uncertainty.
With the three-day real estate exhibition drawing to close on Thursday, UK developers reported good levels of interest across the board from GCC investors. Underlining the increased value in investment to visitors at the show, Elysian Global and Strutt & Parker showcased two significant projects in London – Stanhope’s Television Centre and Wanda’s One Nine Elms.
“In real terms for dollar buyers, our scheme is 10% better value today than it was before the Brexit vote – so there is a clear opportunity for GCC investors to capitalise on this fact,” said Peter Allen, Stanhope’s sales and marketing director for Television Centre, the iconic former home of the BBC in London’s White City.
“We’ve definitely seen a recent spike in enquiries from GCC buyers. This increased demand and the sales completed to date have given us the confidence that Television Centre resonates with buyers in the region. “There was a period of uncertainty immediately after the Brexit vote but that is now passing and we are returning to ‘business as usual’. The fundamentals of London remain – it is a truly global city that is the number one financial centre in the world, a transport hub, with the only global language and great education, entertainment and culture, a fair legal system, liquid property market with easy access, entry and exit and low inflation,” added Allen.
Other experts in the British real estate market have warned against a knee jerk reaction to the Brexit vote, but have pointed to bricks and mortar as an obvious investment in times of doubt. Andy Phillips, Commercial Director at Knight Knox, a provider of buy-to-let opportunities in the private investor market, said that property provides a sense of permanence which cannot be matched.