11 Sep 2025

Cottonwood Group, a private equity real estate firm, has closed a USD 1 billion fund focused on special situations across U.S. commercial property. The fund, which exceeded its USD 500 million target, combines capital raised through pooled funds and separate accounts. Around USD 300 million has already been invested through structured loans with the option to acquire assets if defaults occur. The vehicle has delivered a return of nearly 20 percent so far. With investments spanning logistics, multifamily, data centers, and mixed-use assets, the strategy highlights rising investor appetite in a market facing refinancing stress.Read more

10 Sep 2025

BEYOND Developments, a Dubai-born real estate brand under OMNIYAT GROUP, has been announced as a global sponsor of the DP World Asia Cup 2025, hosted in the United Arab Emirates. The tournament features eight nations, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong, and will take place across Dubai International Stadium and Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The sponsorship reflects BEYOND's commitment to creating destinations that connect, inspire, and elevate living experiences, while the event highlights the UAE's growing role as a world-class hub for international sports.Read more

10 Sep 2025

Homes England has teamed up with Vistry Group to create a new joint venture called Hestia, aimed at accelerating the development of large, mixed-tenure communities in England. Backed by a combined investment of GBP 150 million (around USD 203.58 million), Hestia will focus on residential projects ranging from 400 to 3,000 homes each. The initiative aligns with the UK government's target of building 1.5 million homes in this parliamentary term and also seeks to support smaller housebuilders while promoting social and affordable housing.Read more

10 Sep 2025

Permira and Blackstone have taken a USD 525 million minority stake in Dubai-based real estate classifieds platform Property Finder, reflecting continued investor interest in the emirate's property market. General Atlantic, an early investor since 2018, has partially exited while maintaining a significant stake. The deal will give Property Finder access to global expertise from all three private equity firms as it expands across the Middle East and North Africa. The platform is also targeting growth in Saudi Arabia and Turkey amid a shifting Dubai property market.Read more

10 Sep 2025

Office developers in China are facing record-high vacancy levels in top-tier cities and are resorting to rent reductions and added incentives to attract tenants. Cities like Shenzhen and Shanghai have some of the highest vacancy rates, with landlords offering concessions such as cheaper utilities and subsidies for electric vehicle charging. Market analysts say weak corporate demand, cost-cutting, and multinationals scaling back have pushed leasing activity down. Developers are also relying on flexible lease options, but a prolonged market correction is still expected given oversupply and slowing economic momentum.Read more

09 Sep 2025

Ethiopia has inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the largest hydropower project in Africa, designed to supply electricity to millions and strengthen regional energy networks. While the dam promises economic growth and energy access, it has escalated tensions with Egypt, which depends on the Nile for 90% of its water and fears shortages and future upstream projects. Sudan seeks agreements but may benefit from the dam. Funded largely by Ethiopia, the project has become a national unifying symbol, even as rural populations remain partially unconnected to the national grid.Read more

09 Sep 2025

PRS REIT confirmed that U.S. private equity giant KKR has joined its formal sale process, which already includes a takeover bid from Long Harbour. While no formal offer has yet been made, KKR's entry lifted PRS REIT's shares by 8.8% to 106.6 pence, topping the FTSE mid-cap index. Long Harbour's existing cash offer, submitted in June, values the REIT at £631.6 million, or 115 pence per share. Analysts say weak UK valuations are drawing U.S. investors, with KKR pursuing multiple British firms this year. PRS REIT, focused on family rental homes, launched its sale process after a strategic review in late 2024.Read more

09 Sep 2025

Emaar Misr for Development has entered into an agreement with Saudi and Emirati partners to develop a large-scale tourism project on Egypt's Red Sea coast. The project, named Marassi Red Sea, is expected to attract investments of around INR 900 billion (USD 18.58 billion). It is designed to cover an area of 170 square kilometres and aims to generate USD 100-200 million in annual revenues through tourism-related activities. The project was first revealed earlier this year and is being viewed as part of Egypt's wider strategy to attract foreign investment amid ongoing economic challenges.Read more

09 Sep 2025

Blackstone's GBP 489 million (USD 660.8 million) offer for Warehouse REIT has become unconditional, clearing a key step toward completing the acquisition of the UK-based logistics property trust. The U.S. private equity group raised its bid to 115 pence per share in July after initially proposing GBP 470 million earlier in the year, a move that convinced Warehouse REIT's board to change its recommendation from rival bidder Tritax Big Box REIT. The bidding contest ended in August when Tritax withdrew its GBP 485.2 million cash-plus-stock proposal. Blackstone's successful bid highlights the strong investor interest in logistics real estate driven by ecommerce demand.Read more

08 Sep 2025

The Philippines has introduced a new law allowing foreign investors to lease private land for up to 99 years, replacing the previous 50-year lease term with a 25-year extension. This move aims to enhance the country's competitiveness in attracting long-term offshore funding for commercial and industrial projects. The law addresses investor concerns about lease contract stability, especially for multi-decade investments, as the Philippine Constitution prohibits foreign ownership of private land.Read more