Middle East investors spent £8.9bn on commercial property in the UK over the last five years – almost three times as much as the £3.34bn they spent in 2001, according to DTZ. Financial Times
The value of UK property owned by Middle East investors now exceeds the entire portfolio of Land Securities, as they continue to divert funds away from the US and take advantage of rental growth in the City.
Nick Edmondes, partner at Trowers & Hamlins, which advises many Gulf-based funds, said: 'The UK market is seen as a safe haven for Gulf oil money. Low political risk, high liquidity and a legal system favourable to Islamically-compliant investment structures are important considerations for Middle East investors.'
Middle East investors are still building their UK commercial property assets, despite capital values already being high. The average lot size now stands at about £59m.
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