To facilitate institutional and private investments in real estate, tax-transparent real estate investment vehicles have been introduced in a number of countries,both in Europe and in the rest of the world. Most of these initiatives date from
the last decade, and have followed in the footsteps of early developments in the United States, the Netherlands, and Australia, where such real estate ownership structures were introduced much earlier: in 1961, 1969, and 1971, respectively.
These initiatives were usually motivated by the wish to create an effi cient and liquid way into property investment,especially for smaller investors.More>>

Enlargement of the European Union to 27 countries has created huge opportunities for ambitious retailers and there is undoubtedly further potential to expand in the countries around Europe’s periphery. However, few companies can claim to be truly pan-European and anyone moving into new markets faces a barrage
of awkward decisions..More >>

Since the fall of the Berlin wall, Central and Eastern European markets have become a primary target for retailers with cross-border ambitions. The accession of these countries into the
European Union has only increased their attractions..More >>

A total of 250 retailers from 23 countries operating in some 19 retail sectors, with outlets across Europe took part in the survey. The distribution of retailers by country was more geographically spread than in previous surveys, refl ecting the growth of international retailing operations in Central and Eastern Europe. Their responses and opinions on a variety of questions and issues infl uence the following conclusions on the current and future state of the European retail market.More >>

Globally there is a growing recognition of the importance of sustainability in the real estate industry, but we still have a long way to go. With real estate
consuming more than 25% of the world’s energy, numerous opportunities exist to reduce our carbon footprints. But it’s not all about new developments, which
represent only 2% of the US stock on an annual basis. Some 98% of the buildings are already in existence, of which 75% were built prior to 1990. How
do we address their energy effi ciency? What about their long-term sustainability? What can we, as the real estate industry, do together? Lots of questions,
now let’s look at some answers.More>>

For Daniel Libeskind, the commission to design the Jewish Museum in Berlin precipitated his international breakthrough. Since then his studio has been busy
with some 10 projects per year. Each one a distinct showpiece of contemporary international architecture. This all has to do with his vision that good
architecture creates added value because better design has a longer life span, appeals to the market, generates better returns and, of course, there are the
issues involving sustainability. But there’s more to it than that. “People want to be connected to art,” Daniel Libeskind points out. “It’s a myth that the market
limits the architect to designing only boxes. My buildings are not any more expensive, yet are a lot more profitable because of their design.”More >>

On March 25, 1957 the seed was planted when six pioneering nations signed
The Treaty of Rome to establish the European Economic Community (EEC). In the decades that followed the original members (France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg) saw their seed take root. The growth was gradual at first, a step by step blurring of the borders that added a few countries
with each expansion, until 2004 when 10 new member nations simultaneously joined the flourishing EU from Central Eastern Europe. With the addition of
Bulgaria and Romania in 2007, the European Union now counts 27 members.More >>

Interview with Louis Armstrong, CEO RICS

By Paul Strohm, UK Editor-in-Chief Europe Real Estate

In the brave new global world of property investment, real estate professionals are working across borders like never before, following around, or perhaps leading, the much vaunted ‘tsunami’ of capital in search of new investments with which to soak it up. But while investment has become pan-global, Europe Real Estate asked the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ CEO Louis Armstrong, can the same be said of those upon whose advice investors depend? More >>

By Maarten van der Spek and Chris Hoorenman of ING Real Estate Investment Management

Pension funds are continuously seeking to match the duration of their liabilities with the duration of their assets in order to immunize themselves against the effects of changes in interest rates. This has become even more important due to restrictions imposed by governments with regard to interest rate risk and minimum funding ratios. For this reason, many pension funds are looking for long-dated bonds to extend the total duration of their portfolio. More >>

The Campus as status symbol

By Ola Sinoo, Senoir editor Real Estate Publishers

In the mid-1990s, economic ownership of university and college real estate shifted from the state to educational institutions. Since then, these institutions have become responsible for their own real estate portfolios. They now have to make a strategic choice: a large-scale campus for the masses or a small, high-quality campus with a more elite character. More >>

From a future of uncertainty to a present of experience and positivity

By Jean Blavier, Editor-in-Chief Belgium Real Estate

This year marks the 50th anniversary since the European institutions first established their headquarters in Brussels. That represents half a century. And half a century clouds memory. Even collective memory. So let’s take a quick look at the decisions that dictated the choice of city that would ultimately house the two or three institutions, which, in the middle of the last century, were no more than the beginnings of the European Union we now know today. More >>

Growth in Options for Property Investment in Europe

By Nick Tyrrell(JP Morgan), Paul Ogden(CB Richard Ellis ) and Fraser Hughes (EPRA)

The underlying real estate market in European is the largest in the world, comprising just under 40% of the global total. However, just how easy is it for investors to get exposure to the market? An overview of options by Nick Tyrrell, Head of European Real Estate Research and Strategy for JP Morgan; Paul Ogden, Managing Director CB Richard Ellis - GFI and Fraser Hughes, Research Director of EPRA. More >>

New trends in architecture in Germany

By Prof. Dr. Johannes Busmann, University Wuppertal

We've never had so much variety. At no other time has there been such a broad and heterogeneous field of strategies and current positions on architecture. Nowadays, even experts find it difficult to keep track: rationalism and minimalism, blob and box, various regionalisms and traditionalisms - architecture currently fluctuates somewhere between a putative anything goes and a restrictive state of the art. More >>

'Global investment is becoming the norm'

By Ola Sinoo, Senior Editor Real Estate Publishers

With a real estate portfolio worth €80 billion, ING Real Estate is one of the largest and fastest growing property companies in the world. ING Real Estate employs over 2,000 people worldwide, operating via three business lines: Development, Investment Management and Finance. Growth is the key concept in ING Real Estate’s strategy. “We are going to use our global platform to maintain our current growth momentum in those countries where we currently have operations,” says George Jautze, CEO of ING Real Estate. More >>

The European Retail Property Scene

By Dr. Yvonne Court, Partner Cushman & Wakefield

Today the European consumer is faced with more opportunities to shop than at any time in the past. From the perspective of retail developers and landlords they now have to fight for every euro of a consumer’s wallet. How well shopping opportunities match the shopper’s requirements for goods and services or an experience will ultimately determine the successful performance of the retail property market across Europe. More >>

Creating top-notch buildings with an international allure

By Laurenz Verledens

Belgium has excellent architects of its own, but none with the standing of say, Frank Gehry or Rem Koolhaas. But no need to worry, on occasion the big players of international architecture also descend upon Belgian soil. In the footsteps of architects like Richard Rogers and Rafael Moneo, other famous names including Diener & Diener, Steven Holl, Michel Macary and Santiago Calatrava have now also set to work in Belgium. More >>

Growth and restructuring all across Europe

By Prof. Dr. Dieter W. Rebitzer (University of Nürtingen-Gieslingen)

The logistics property market has evolved from relatively modest beginnings as niche markets to become the third-largest part of the commercial real estate market in Europe today. 2006 represented a new record in the history of the European logistics investment market. The total transaction volume increased to more than €10 billion. A further boost in 2007 is expected. More >>