commercial property

The whole ‘death of the office’ shtick has been subject to many articles over the last six months, but this is not one of them. It is, however, about how offices remain an investable asset, how the perception of offices is changing and why family offices should be looking to acquire them sooner rather than later.

Currently, there is a unique window of opportunity, particularly in the regions, as a large chunk of the institutional and fund investor population is currently sitting on the side-lines.

The unique shape of the Covid-19 crisis and accompanying recession has meant some industries have thrived while others have dived. In caricature, everyone now uses Zoom and Peloton, while offices and gyms were forced to close.

What does the K mean? Online shopping wins, traditional retailing loses. Commercial property such as offices and shops lose, but logistics warehouses thrive. City apartments struggle, suburbs with gardens boom. The digital economy beats everything.

A Hong Kong family company best known for its oyster sauce is the latest in a series of Asian investors snapping up London landmarks, as it executes a £1.3 billion ($1.7 billion) deal for the city’s “Walkie Talkie” building.

LKK Health Products Group, which makes Lee Kum Kee Oyster Sauce, has agreed to buy the 37-storey City of London tower – officially named 20 Fenchurch Street but more commonly referred to as the “Walkie Talkie” thanks to its bulbous design.