Thought Leadership

• In a year where a raft of measures were unleashed to contain the rate of infections as well as activity in the red-hot residential market, some S$7.3 billion of investment deals were recorded in Q4 2021, bringing the total for the whole year to S$25.8 billion. This reflected a growth of 5.3% from the total amount of S$24.5 billion last year.
• The investment volume in Q4 was primarily led by residential sales, amounting to about S$2.8 billion, as demand remained healthy for prime residential homes. This included the sale of a penthouse unit at Les Maisons Nassim for S$75 million (S$6,201 psf) in late October, as well as a Good Class Bungalow (GCB) within the Kilburn Estate GCB Area (GCBA) where it was reported that crypto billionaire Zhu Su was in the process of acquiring the detached house at S$48.8 million (S$1,532 psf on land).
• The collective sale market also started to gain momentum in Q4 2021, comprising five en bloc deals that were sealed from October to December. This included the sale of Peace Centre and Peace Mansion topping the list at S$650 million, acquired by a joint venture (JV) of CEL Development, Sing-Haiyi Crystal and Ultra Infinity. Watten Estate Condominium was sold for S$550.8 million to a UOL-SingLand JV. Despite the encouraging en bloc activity with homeowners of ageing projects growing increasingly hopeful, the imposition of cooling measures on 15 December 2021 has given pause to the market. In addition to the risks of escalating construction costs, developers also have to contend with pressure stemming from the increased Additional Buyers’ Stamp Duty (ABSD) rate for entities from 25% to 35%.

This article was originally published in https://www.knightfrank.com/

We’re excited to share CATCH ’22, our Asia Pacific Commercial Real Estate Outlook 2022 paper with you.​

With universal evidence supporting strong rebounds in business confidence and consumer sentiment, the Asia Pacific region is forecast to return to world leading growth in the second half of 2022.​

Our paper focuses on key drivers of recovery, to ensure you CATCH the potential and opportunities of ‘22.

This article was originally published in https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/

Occupier confidence is improving after one-and-half years. Prices are recovering with evident growth of 21% in a span of three months in Q3 of 2021.

Future Flex – A hybrid & productive workspace approach

Strategic agreements for operators

Traditional leases are giving way to models such as:
•Revenue-share model 
•Management contracts
•Hybrid model (fixed minimum rent plus revenue share)
Apart from these, some operators are seen to explore the franchise model, 
although that can pose some risk of brand 

Choice-based model for occupiers
Occupiers are evaluating the concept of ‘work from near-home’ through 
satellite and hub-and-spoke offices. We foresee that these offices will be an 
amalgamation of traditional leases and flex spaces. 
With gig economy gaining traction, we also predict the need for on-demand 
spaces, as occupiers would require space by the hour/week/month for certain 
teams. Such space requirements can successfully be driven by flex spaces. 

Customized deals for Occupiers
Occupiers are opting for tailor-made mandates with operators for future 
expansion and leasing. Flex operators will take up spaces and customize 
them as per the occupiers’ needs. However, at the same time, operators are 
likely to also incorporate and offer some proportion of ready buildings for 
immediate absorption by start-ups and entrepreneurs.

Report by Colliers & Qdesq

This article was originally published in https://www.colliers.com/en-in

The report evaluates the demand and potential of Affordable Housing in India by 2030 and speaks about the requisite steps that stake holders should take to meet this demand.

This article was originally published in https://www.knightfrank.co.in/

Key Occupier Trends

• Warehouse demand remains firm; net absorption sets new record
• Supply chain disruption delays decision-making in emerging markets
• Online retailers and 3PLs drive demand; occupiers strengthen last-mile capabilities
• Logistics space near transportation hubs keenly sought after

Key Investment Trends

• Purchasing activity continues to be strong; modern logistics properties remain primary focus
• More investors commit capital into logistics development funds
• Logistics capital values continue to rise
• Well-located older properties offer upgrading opportunities

This article was originally published in https://www.cbre.com/

Key Trends

• Purchasing activity continues to be strong
• Stabilised prime CBD offices remain sought after
• Solid demand for industrial assets drives further yield compression
• Selected investors display higher risk appetite for office, industrial and hotel value-added opportunities
• Banks in major markets remain accommodative; while those in Southeast Asia adopt conservative attitude

This article was originally published in https://www.cbre.com/

Key trends

• Retail sales growth slows
• Many retailers push back expansionary plans to 2022
• F&B dominates leasing demand
• Leasing in CBD areas remains limited
• Pandemic-related risk remains major concern
• Recovery to regain momentum as festive season nears

This article was originally published in https://www.cbre.com/

New Zealand’s recovery from the impact of Covid-19 got underway in 2021 however by this was derailed in August by the Delta variant, which returned the country into a nationwide lockdown, and resulted in the closure of the trans-Tasman bubble border.
 
Despite the Covid-19 challenges, transaction activity has remained buoyant with $300+ million sales YTD in 2021, characterised by firm yields, unsatisfied capital, and a scarcity of quality purchase opportunities.

This article was originally published in https://www.cbre.com/

Fukuoka’s residential market remains resilient

• Fukuoka has been the fastest growing city among major regional cities in Japan.
• The city’s compact and convenient layout, young demographics, and accommodating attitude towards new ideas attract students, workers, and entrepreneurs.
• With the leadership of its media-savvy mayor, Fukuoka is striving to become a leading city in Asia with start-ups, digital transformation, and redevelopment.
• The central areas, such as Tenjin and Hakata, have seen sound demographic growth, and redevelopment projects such as Tenjin Big Bang and Hakata Connected should further help to make these areas attractive.
• As a major beneficiary of inbound tourism until the pandemic, the progress towards the normalisation of international travel is a welcoming development for Fukuoka.

This article was originally published in https://www.savills.co.jp/

Following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Australia’s anticipated gradual recovery in 2021 was derailed by the DELTA variant which returned Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra into extended lockdown and border closures nationally.

The lockdowns and associated travel restrictions have activated Australians to become “double vaccinated” with the 80% target to be achieved by December this year, which will then increase to 90%.

Restricted international travel will recommence in Australia in November 2021 and will gradually increase as travel bubbles are initially established, which will inevitably lead to normal international travel.

Despite the COVID challenges, transaction activity has remained buoyant with $1+ billion sales YTD in 2021, characterised by firm yields, unsatisfied capital, and a scarcity of quality purchase opportunities. 

This augurs well for improved conditions in 2022 after the summer break and we would expect that:

• Domestic leisure will return to key city destinations, having been absent for two years and to experience new hotel inventory
• Domestic leisure will continue to support the regional drive markets
• Corporate activity will begin to rebound in Q1 2022 and continue as Australia “gets back to business”
• International travel will resume and gradually build with IATA expecting that 2019 levels will be reached in 2023/24.

This article was originally published in https://www.cbre.com/