All articles by David Pearl, Structadene
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InsightInvestor's chronicle: Long may permitted development rights continue for our unlettable office stock
Permitted development, that’s the thing. When people ask me what I’m interested in at the moment, that’s what I tell them, and let’s make the best of it because we’re not sure how long it’s going to last.
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InsightA bricks and mortar approach to avoiding a housing bubble
One of the things on my mind at the moment is what’s happening with building materials. If you want bricks you currently have to wait nine months, it’s like having a baby. There aren’t many available - bricks, that is, not babies.
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InsightA balanced diet helps to maintain a healthy portfolio
For a good 10 years before the downturn we at Structadene bought property feverishly and then, all of a sudden, slammed on the brakes
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InsightI’m helping property take its place in history
I’m sponsoring English Heritage’s blue plaques scheme in London.
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InsightWe’re working our asanas off on asset management
My latest life-changing acquisition is a piece of luggage on wheels.
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InsightBread: it’s manna from heaven for the high street
There was a time when it seemed that everything we bought was the right thing — and it might have been that way for a while, but, in the end, we were kidding ourselves. Life isn’t like that.
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InsightBoxing, buildings and Stonehenge: it’s not just desserts
It surprises me when people misunderstand me. I don’t mean people whose mother tongue isn’t English, but members of my family, close friends or associates.
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InsightIt’s business as usual, in or out of the limelight
I’ve become used to seeing my picture in the papers over the last 10 years or so, and it’s neither bothered me nor excited me much because it has all been factual, pretty accurate and, for the most part, favourable.
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InsightYoga, pilates, spinning ... secondary pricing will need a workout of its own
The main thing is that you have to keep responding to change.
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InsightI’m cheesed off waiting for change of use from office to resi
Camembert has gone underground. European Union regulations forbid the use of unpasteurised milk, so you can’t make it legally, I’m told
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InsightOlympics and Crossrail CPOs have dealt property owners a bad hand
Two women from the Olympic Park Legacy Company came to see me the other day to talk about a property I own in Stratford
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InsightWe’re leaner and fitter — despite our varied diet
A varied portfolio such as ours gives you a broad view of the market
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News
CPOs are a nightmare for investors
David Pearl is still smarting after bad experiences in Victoria and Borough
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News
Variety is the spice of life and property
A diverse portfolio makes for an adventure as well as good returns
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News
It doesn’t hurt to be a people person
A good reputation leads to healthy business relationships, says David Pearl
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News
Joint ventures: the best way to make it big in property
David Pearl ruminates on how partnerships have helped him scale the property ladder
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News
Buying blind in the glare of the public eye
David Pearl discusses the trials of acquiring and taking private Newport Holdings
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Markets
Planners will have to accept new uses for Noho
There is a small corner of the West End that is dear to my heart. It is that little patch north of Oxford Street, which used to be called the rag trade area. It is here that I packed cardigans into boxes for several years in my late ...
