Month: February 2019

Gazeley for sale despite difficult UK commercial property market

Property blogger

Asda, the supermarket chain owned by Wal-Mart, the US retailer, could sell its global property development business in a deal that could fetch up to 400m. There are also rumours that Wal-Mart is looking to sell Asda as well.

The company told staff yesterday that it was looking for a buyer for Gazeley, an industrial developer, which will interest rivals such as San Francisco-based AMB and Australia’s Goodman International.

Gazeley is one of the largest industrial property developers in the UK and also operates in a number of other countries, including India, Mexico and China. It was acquired by Wal-Mart as part of its takeover of Asda in 1999.

Formed in 1987, the group operates as a standalone business, but also provides Wal-Mart and Asda with distribution and storage warehouses across the world.

Wal-Mart has picked a potentially difficult time in which to sell a property business, but Andy Bond, president and chief executive of Asda, said: “This is not a core business for us. We have previously had several unsolicited approaches for Gazeley and have now decided to review our strategic options, which might include a sale of the business.”

However, capital values have been in free-fall as fears have emerged over occupier demand. This, coupled with the greater difficulty in securing debt for the deal, means Asda is unlikely to secure a high price.

ProLogis, the US industrial developer, was linked with a bid for Gazeley two years ago. At the time, Asda said it had no interest in selling the company.

A significant part of the value of Gazeley will be its large undeveloped land bank, with more than 20 sites in the UK alone, and more across continental Europe and Asia.

Gazeley is the preferred developer of distribution space for Wal-Mart International, including Asda in the UK and Wal-Mart China. Wal-Mart is understood to be keen to sell the business with guarantees that ensure this strategic relationship continues, which would allow it first choice for prime sites in the future.

Pat McGillycuddy, chief executive of Gazeley, said: -We have produced consistent profit growth over the last five years and developed leased warehouses across Europe in 2007 with an investment value of 325m.

We have a successful business model and a strong management team that will add value to any new business partner.’

Wal-Mart wants to keep existing management in place following the sale if possible.

Businesses for Sale

Current Property Rates Of Mumbai

Property blogger

The financial capital of India, Mumbai has always been the leader in the indicative prices of the Indian real estate market. Even during the slowdown, Mumbai is the frontrunner when it comes to property. In the past as well, it has shown a record rise in real estate prices at par with some of the highest property prices in the world. That is why Mumbai is called the Manhattan of India.

It is not only the residential market of Mumbai that boasts of skyrocketing property prices but the commercial market of the city as well touch the sky. But these days, due to the slowdown, the city is witnessing a correction in prices both in residential and commercial markets. In fact, it is the best time to buy a property in the city with the developers offering lower prices and discounts. Also, one should consider buying property now with lower interest rates on home loans provided by banks.

The real estate prices as well as the increase in rental values in Mumbai can be credited to the large scale investments in the commercial sector and the residential sector. Mumbai has always been the favorite spot for the corporate sector for developing their headquarters in the city. Besides that, increasing investments by MNCs in the IT, ITES and the BPO sector have led to a growing demand for office space; which as a result have created an imbalance in demand and supply for residential property. The rental values in Mumbai are also high in comparison to that in other metros and cities.

The retail market of Mumbai also witnessed a huge hike in prices during the boom in the real estate market. In fact, it is one of the foremost cities to be hit by the retail buzz. With the coming up of the retail market, there has been an increasing demand for retail properties in the financial capital of India. This increase in demand has created a viable market for mall space and other kind of retail stores and showrooms. These retail stores and malls are either owned by a business or some brand outlet or leased for hefty prices as their demand is usually very high.

Mumbai has been ranked seventh among the most expensive cities in the world to carry out a business and to live in.

Although, the prices of different kinds of property in Mumbai differ from location to location, the following is an indicative list of realty prices of both the residential as well as commercial spaces in Mumbai.

Here are some indicative rates to apprise you of the market conditions.
Prices in South Mumbai in April 2009:
Cuffe Parade – Rs 20, 000 62, 000 per sq ft
Churchgate Rs 18, 000 30, 000 per sq ft
Marine Lines Rs 14, 000 22, 000 per sq ft
Malabar Hill Rs 20, 000 65, 000 per sq ft
Napeansea Road Rs 20, 000 65, 000 per sq ft
Worli Rs 18, 000 45, 000 per sq ft
Prabhadevi Rs 13, 000 24, 000 per sq ft
Mahim Rs 8, 500 14, 000 per sq ft

Prices in Central Suburbs in April 2009:
Byculla Rs 8, 500 11, 000 per sq ft
Wadala Rs 5, 000 8, 000 per sq ft
Sion Rs 6, 500 9, 500 per sq ft
Kurla Rs 4, 000 6, 500 per sq ft
Powai Rs 4, 500 9, 000 per sq ft
Chembur Rs 3, 750 7, 000 per sq ft
Ghatkopar Rs 4, 500 7, 500 per sq ft
Bhandup Rs 3, 750 6, 000 per sq ft
Mulund Rs 3, 750 7, 000 per sq ft
Thane Rs 4, 000 6, 000 per sq ft
Dombivalli Rs 1, 400 2, 500 per sq ft
Kalyan Rs 1, 400 2, 200 per sq ft
Ambernath Rs 1, 100 1, 600 per sq ft

Prices in Navi Mumbai in April 2009:
Vashi Rs 3, 250 5, 500 per sq ft
Airoli Rs 2, 500 4, 000 per sq ft
Kopar Khairane Rs 3, 500 5, 000 per sq ft
Sanpada Rs 3, 000 5, 000 per sq ft
Nerul Rs 3, 000 5, 000 per sq ft
CBD Belapur Rs 3, 000 5, 000 per sq ft
Kharghar Rs 2, 000 4, 000 per sq ft
Kalamboli Rs 1, 400 2, 200 per sq ft
Panvel Rs 1, 800 2, 700 per sq ft

Prices in Western Suburbs in April 2009:
Bandra (E) Rs 7, 000 11, 000 per sq ft
Bandra (W) Rs 16, 000 28, 000 per sq ft
Khar (E) Rs 7, 000 11, 000 per sq ft
Khar (W) Rs 13, 000 18, 000 per sq ft
Santacruz (E) Rs 9, 000 12, 000 per sq ft
Santacruz (W) Rs 12, 500 18, 000 per sq ft
Vile Parle (E) Rs 7, 500 11, 500 per sq ft
Vile Parle (W) Rs 10, 000 17, 000 per sq ft
Andheri (E) Rs 6, 500 9, 500 per sq ft
Andheri (W) Rs 6, 500 14, 000 per sq ft
Jogeshwari Rs 5, 000 8, 000 per sq ft
Goregaon (E) Rs 4, 500 7, 000 per sq ft
Goregaon (W) Rs 4, 800 7, 000 per sq ft
Malad (E) Rs 4, 500 7, 500 per sq ft
Malad (W) Rs 4, 000 6, 500 per sq ft
Kandivli (E) Rs 4, 500 7, 500 per sq ft
Kandivli (W) Rs 4, 500 6, 500 per sq ft
Borivli (E) Rs 4, 500 6, 500 per sq ft
Borivli (W) Rs 4, 000 6, 500 per sq ft
Mira Road (E) Rs 1, 800 2, 500 per sq ft
Naigaon (E) Rs 1, 200 1, 800 per sq ft
Vasai (E) Rs 1, 100 1, 800 per sq ft
Vasai (W) Rs 1, 000 1, 800 per sq ft
Virar Rs 1, 100 2, 000 per sq ft