Zoopla survives leak to new rival February 12, 2015 THE LAUNCH of a rival property portal has stopped a smaller-than-expected number of estate agents from listing with Zoopla. In a trading update yesterday Zoopla chief executive Alex Chesterman said that around 2,000 agents (11 per cent of Zoopla’s total) had left to join OnTheMarket. “We believe that Agents’ Mutual [owners of OnTheMarket] remains a [...]
Kensington and Chelsea leads fall in London house prices after boom peters out February 12, 2015 London house prices stalled in December, dipping 1.1 per cent on the month, LSL Property Services said today. The fall does not unwind all of the gains of the boom-period, as prices are still up 13.9 per cent on the year to stand at an average of £576,093. Kensington and Chelsea has the most expensive houses [...]
Ryanair claims breach of human rights as it appeals to top court February 12, 2015 RYANAIR is taking its legal challenge over Aer Lingus to the UK Supreme Court, yesterday claiming it is a human rights issue. The budget airline had previously been told by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to sell off its 29 per cent stake in Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus, reducing its stake to no [...]
City Moves for 13 February 2015 | Who’s switching jobs February 12, 2015 Institute of Directors Lady Barbara Judge CBE has been appointed as the new chair of the IoD. A trained commercial lawyer, she is currently chair of the Pension Protect Fund and the Energy Institute of UCL, as well as non-executive director of Portmeirion Group. Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking Lucy Barton has been appointed as a [...]
Benbow House: The ultimate South Bank trophy penthouse at just over 4,600sqft February 12, 2015 Almost every new housing development being built in London comes with a luxury penthouse at the top. But it’s one that was built 15 years ago that’s grabbing the attention of international buyers looking for the ultimate trophy home. The 4,600sqft of this 10th floor penthouse is spread over three floors, making it the largest [...]
London is the centre of the world, but it looks to New York for its property ideas February 12, 2015 London isn’t only a global capital, it’s the global capital, if we’re to believe Forbes, which ranked London as the most influential city globally last year, leaving New York snapping at its heels. While political uncertainty in the UK may have knocked confidence, it’s still widely thought that London’s reign will continue. However, beyond the [...]
Focus on Earlsfield: The hidden wonder near Nappy Valley February 12, 2015 A few years ago, I’d say where I lived and no one would have a clue where it was,” says Rupert Grieg, sales manager at Foxtons’ Earlsfield branch. “But then you said, it’s between Wimbledon and Balham, and suddenly it made sense.” For most people, this is probably still true. Swamped by popular neighbours – [...]
Mayfair now and then: 30 years ago this £4.25m apartment sold for £285,000 February 12, 2015 Remember 1985? The first UK mobile phone call was made – by Ernie Wise, of all people – the Brixton riots took place, and Rick Astley spent five weeks at the top of the charts. It was also, according to research by upmarket estate agent Peter Wetherell, possible to buy a Mayfair apartment for as [...]
Meyer Bergman in “advanced talks” to turn Borough Market’s Vinopolis into £300m retail hub February 12, 2015 Investment group Meyer Bergman is in “advanced talks” to buy the Vinopolis leasehold with plans to develop a £300m retail hub on the doorstep of Borough Market. The real estate investor is in talks about aquiring the long leasehold, comprising the wine bar and restaurant, mixed-use building Thames House and surrounding land, in an [...]
Estate agent wars: OnTheMarket hits back at Zoopla February 12, 2015 OnTheMarket has hit back at accusations it will remain "a short term event" levied today by rival Zoopla, saying it's confident of becoming the number two online property portal behind Rightmove in just a year's time. OnTheMarket's "one other portal rule" bans agents from advertising properties with more than one rival website, meaning many must [...]