February 2016 Issue


    Month: February
    Year: 2016

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    Editor’s letter: Is slowdown the path ahead for market at the crossroads?

    There appear to be two counteracting forces at work in the real estate debt markets in the early part of 2016. On the one hand, there is some caution and nervousness. Market players are looking at events out of their control, such as the negative effect of woes in China on stock markets around the world and wondering whether there may be signs of a new crisis looming in 2016.

    Fresh debt capital raisings are a New Year’s resolution

    Managers widen the strategy for follow-on high-yield funds in 2016, reports Jane Roberts.

    Prime worries cast a cloud over bright finance market

    Europe’s real estate industry believes equity will continue to flood into its main markets during 2016, although expectations are notably lower than they were a year ago, according to Emerging Trends in Real Estate Europe, the annual forecast published jointly by the Urban Land Institute and PwC.

    New players vie with banks as Asian debt game changes

    While Asia’s disparate markets offer investors a variety of real estate opportunities, one theme slices through when it comes to lending: local banks are still the first choice for debt.

    UK healthcare’s vital signs still attract big investment

    Specialist investors are targeting high-quality healthcare assets, writes Daniel Cunningham.

    Growing lender pack has no reservations on hotels

    Quest for big portfolio deals set to shift from UK to Continent, reports Jane Roberts.

    Resorts bask in warmer climate for securing debt

    More lenders are tempted to take the plunge despite sector’s volatility, reports Al Barbarino.

    Student housing is serious study area for investors

    High returns make sector the top alternative choice in Europe, reports Doug Morrison.

    Ireland: Foreign finance is drawn to blooming Emerald Isle

    Ireland’s real estate market recovery has attracted overseas banks, writes Daniel Cunningham.

    Ireland: Stalwart of Irish banking scene picks up the pace

    Leading domestic lender Bank of Ireland has set its sights on a sustainable recovery, reports Daniel Cunningham.

    Quadrant navigates transatlantic course

    Having more than doubled its assets to $6.1bn since 2006, US-based debt fund manager Quadrant is targeting a UK and Irish market opportunity. Al Barbarino explores the firm’s strategy, in conversation with CEO Kurt Wright.

    CAPITAL WATCH: Recent lending deals Dec 2015/Jan 2016

    Real Estate Capital market commentary • Despite a slowdown in the market towards the end of 2015, significant loans were closed in the UK. A club of banks provided £425 million to refinance Value Retail’s Bicester Village outlet centre in Oxfordshire. The five-year loan was provided by pbb Deutsche Pfandbriefbank, Santander, Crédit Agricole, RBS and […]

    CAPITAL WATCH: Private real estate debt funds Dec 2015/Jan 2016

    The latest figures compiled by our Research & Analytics division show there are 117 real estate debt funds in the market, seeking just over $48.9 billion of capital in total. In numerical terms, funds with an Americas focus lead the way. However, while smaller in number, the total sum being targeted by Europe-focused funds is slightly larger than that of their Americas counterparts.