All articles by Helen Thomas
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Markets
Power of the people
Suzhou, with its seven million inhabitants and 100 sq mile industrial park, is one of hundreds of secondary cities powering the Chinese economy.
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MarketsForever Chingland
The rural, English-themed Thames Town in the Shanghai suburbs is a world away from its crammed, bustling downtown.
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MarketsCapital intensive
In the rush to build before the government’s Olympic deadline, huge schemes are going up all over Beijing. But many doubt their viability.
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MarketsUphill struggle
After a site assembly process that included moving an entire cemetery, developer North West Estates is set to start on a redevelopment that promises to revive Manchester’s Cheetham Hill.
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MarketsThe money programme
The Northwest Development Agency is under fire for overspending and causing uncertainty over funding for key projects. But as Helen Thomas reports, it claims it’s all part of the plan
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MarketsCultural resolution
One year on from Liverpool’s selection as 2008 European Capital of Culture, the celebrations are over and developers are working on schemes that will be ready in time for the deadline.
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InsightThe breeding ground
Some of today's biggest and brightest names in property started out at Michael Laurie & Partners. Helen Thomas turns the clock back 20 years and finds out what made the practice tick
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MarketsBridge over troubled quarters
The view from Brentford's flyover is one of dereliction in the heart of west London, but Isis's waterside development could signal a mixed-use future for the area.
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MarketsUp in smoke
The demise of Stoke's famous potteries pushed the city into decline. Can a multi-agency approach to regeneration relight its fire?
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Markets
What's on InStaffs
Helen Thomas reviews the latest biannual commercial property report from inward investment agency InStaffs
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MarketsShrewsbury's centre stage
Shrewsbury is keen to increase the number of its shops – but only if they remain in the town centre.
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Markets
From here to eternity
Large-scale industrial development seems to take forever in Greater Manchester. At last, three long-awaited schemes seem to be making progress.
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Insight
Making moves
Change was top of the agenda at last month's CoreNet Global UK summit. CoreNet's president said goodbye, while relocation plans for civil servants and proposals to legislate under the commercial lease code were among the topics discussed.
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Markets
Scientific progress
A series of schemes are coming out of the ground in the areas designated 'technology corridors' by Advantage West Midlands – and beyond.
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Markets
The motor stalls
Rover's rescue in 2000 looked set to continue Longbridge's long association with car making. But now the troubled firm has sold its land, and a £100m science park could change the site forever.
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News
Malmaison looks south for eight new hotels
Hotel chain to double in size by 2008 as it targets Oxford and London
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News
RDA plans 2m sq ft Staffs business park
Advantage West Midlands seeks consent for brownfield scheme
