Foreign Investors Driving Central London Commercial Property Activity

Strong foreign investor interest that is driving activity in the central London commercial property market is spreading to other sectors of real estate, according to a new report.

Swedish foreign investor Stefan Persson recently snapped up a central London commercial property for £225 million, which came after the Olayan Group submitted a £540 million bid for the Knightsbridge Estate.

Thanks to demand from foreign investors, notably Greece, prime residential sales volumes on a year-on-year basis jumped in April by 18 per cent compared to the same month last year.

Over the last 12 months the £2 million plus sector enjoyed increased investment, with buyers from Greece doubling their market share from three to six per cent. However at 13 per cent a piece, Italians and Russians account for a bigger slice.