LONDON: The City of London said it was concerned about government proposals to relax planning rules that restrict shops and offices being converted into residential developments, in a bid to ease Britain's housing shortage.

NEW YORK/BANGALORE: In the United States, big hotel chains get to float above the fray. India brings them down to earth.

At home, and in some markets abroad, companies like Marriott International, which owns the Courtyard and Fairmont brands and Starwood Hotels & Resorts, owner of Sheraton and W, have virtually eliminated real estate risk.

KUALA LUMPUR: Australia-based property developer Asset1 (Developments) Pty Ltd, through its associate company Asset 1 Aus (Ulu Klang) Sdn Bhd is making its first foray in Malaysia with the development of a 21-acre bungalow project at Kemensah Heights, Kuala Lumpur.The project called The Reserve @ Puncak Kayangan Kemensah is being developed in a joint venture with Weststar Construction Sdn Bhd,

KUALA LUMPUR: Low Yat Group’s Riverwalk Mall along Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, is targeting an 80% take-up of its 220,000 sq ft leasing space by year-end.The mall is currently 65% tenanted after welcoming Carrefour Market — positioned as a mid to high-end supermarket — as its first anchor tenant yesterday. This will mark the fifth such outlet for the French retailer in the country.

KUALA LUMPUR: Architectural event DATUM:KL has been expanded into a month-long event and renamed DATUM:KL, the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival.Into its ninth year since its inception in 2003, the event is expected to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on July 1.Organised by the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), its president Boon Che Wee, said the International Arc

KUALA LUMPUR: The Asia-Pacific property market is expected to continue to draw investors in the coming months, according to the DTZ Asia Pacific Fair Value 1Q11 report.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sunrise Bhd’s upcoming mixed development MK20 in Mont’Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, which is targeted for launch in the second half this year, is designed and conceptualised by world renowned architectural practice Foster+Partners.The project with an estimated gross development value of RM1 billion will feature a mix of luxury serviced residences, SoHos, a hotel, business suites and boutiq

The heat that has been generated recently about subsidy rationalisation exposes a clutch of knotty issues facing the economy that require nerves of steel to fix.

Niche property developer Magna Prima (92.5 sen) is upbeat that its new projects will underpin the company’s turnaround and support earnings growth over the next few years. Its latest earnings results for 1QFY11 ended Dec 31 underscored these expectations.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sunrise Bhd's upcoming mixed development MK20 in Mont'Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, which is targeted for launch in the second half this year, is designed and conceptualised by world renowned architectural practice Foster+Partners.