Budget 2016: Crossrail 2 could level the playing field when it comes to London’s house prices and office rents March 15, 2016 London is growing at an astronomical rate. Every week, more than two Tube-loads of people move into the capital and while the city’s transport infrastructure is a well-oiled machine, if we fail to invest in major projects, we run the risk of the network grinding to a halt. Set to be announced as part of tomorrow's Budget, Crossrail [...]
The 32 best barbecue restaurants in America: From Austin to North Carolina, we take a foodie tour of the American South’s top grills March 7, 2016 The best way to see America is by car, and the best way to taste America is on a driving tour of the country’s most celebrated BBQ pits. On a three week, six state and 2,500 mile journey from Texas to the Carolinas, I went in search of the best BBQ in the American South, [...]
Canary Wharf homes are now a reality – get them while they’re hot March 3, 2016 When the first homes went on sale at 10 Park Place on the Canary Wharf estate, there were buyers queuing a day early for them. When developer Galliard launched Maine Tower nearby, around £140m of property sold out within four hours, the equivalent of £580,000 worth of sales every minute. Now, it’s Telford Homes’ turn [...]
We visit one of the last luxury chalets to be built in Courchevel March 3, 2016 Perched high up in the Tarentaise Valley in France’s Rhone-Alpes region, Courchevel 1850 has long reigned as one of Europe’s most expensive and glitziest resorts – ranking top on both Knight Frank and Savills’ prime and ultra prime ski resort indices. Set in the vast Three Valleys area – the largest ski location in the [...]
We profile five young developers that are shaking up the UK property industry February 25, 2016 The free-thinking “millennial generation” could be our most entrepreneurial age group. Having pushed the boundaries of communications and technology, many are now challenging traditional businesses, including property development, and are making a significant mark. They may be young, but the self confidence and business sense of the five developers profiled here has helped them deliver [...]
EU referendum: We must vote to remain in the EU as London is Europe’s financial capital and David Cameron has protected the rights of non-Eurozone countries February 18, 2016 A recent visit to Brussels brought back mixed memories of my time as a minister in the last Government. In my roles in both the Treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions, I had to negotiate with the European Commission, other member states and MEPs. My first visit was a culture shock, but over [...]
London houses have missed out on huge price increases because of Night Tube delays February 10, 2016 Delays to the launch of the 24-hour Night Tube could have stripped billions of pounds in potential increases from property values across London, new figures reveal. The Night Tube's arrival was expected to push up house prices along the route by as much as 10 per cent on top of growth in surrounding areas. In [...]
Top tips for getting your dream home or a quick sale on Open Days January 25, 2016 You could be forgiven for thinking that the queue snaking down your street was for the January sales, but in our property-obsessed times, it’s more likely to be an open house. High demand and low housing supply means vendors – especially those selling properties in the affordable bracket – are inundated with potential buyers. And [...]
UK house prices: Bexley, Cambridge, Bristol and Bedford among the UK’s hottest property spots, while Aberdeen, Stockton-on-Tees and Bradford are “coldest” January 20, 2016 Cambridge, Bristol and Bedford are among the regional cities vying with Greater London as the top 10 hottest property spots in the country – but Aberdeen, Stockton-on-Tees and Bradford are where demand is weakest. That's according to online estate agent Emoov, which puts the London Borough of Bexley at the top of its index for the last [...]
UK property prices: Average cost of house has risen by 300 pc to over £680,000 in two decades – Savills January 15, 2016 The average house price in the UK has risen by 300 per cent and is now almost £200,000 higher than it was 20 years ago, according to upmarket estate agent Savills. The country's most expensive areas have seen an even steeper 538 per cent increase in the average house price from £108,032 to £689,649, found [...]