The event brought together some of the world's main real estate investment players, gathered at the Hyatt Regency - The Churchill, to analyze and discuss the opportunities of the Iberian market.
The initiative was "a success, capturing again the attention of some of the main players in the sector", taking it as one of the most important meetings for the property sector. Highlight for the presence of companies such as CBRE GI, DWS Group, TH Real Estate, Corestate Capital Group, Grosvenor Europe, PGGM Investment, Savills Investment Management, ING, Fitch Ratings, EY, Real Capital Analytics, ASG Iberia Advisors, Square Asset Management, Cushman & Wakefield, Savills Aguirre Newman, SAREB and EPRA.
Miguel Ferré, vice-president of Global Corporation Center de IE & Fundación EY, and Senior Advisor of EY, believes that "both Spain and Portugal have emerged from the crisis. Many structures have been undermined", he acknowledges, but he also refers "more competitive countries with clear signs of growth". In this sense, Paulo Nuncio, a consultant for Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados, considers that "at the moment, everyone believes more in the potential of Portugal and Spain". He adds that "the real estate sector in Portugal is going through an excellent moment and will continue to grow, as new investments and expansion dynamics".
«Investors invest in cities and not in countries»
Marta Cladera, Head of Iberia of TH Real Estate, believes that, currently, "investors invest in cities and not in countries", being Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon especially on the map.
Tom Leahy, Senior Director, EMEA Analytics, Real Capital Analytis, recognizes that “Madrid is the most attractive capital”, but speaks of “new locations in statement”. Andrew Angeli, Head of Research Europe of CBRE GI, highlighted the city of Porto during his participation. Pedro Coelho, Chairman of SQUARE Asset Manangement, confirms that "there are many companies looking at Oporto", giving the example of BNP Paribas that recently settled in the city.
On the other hand, Richard Betts, director of PropertyEU, pointed out that "the Iberian market represents today a unique investment opportunity". And Angeli adds that "Portugal is a small market, and this is a fact. But the macroeconomic environment is improving, tourism is growing day by day and the quality of life is great."
The most attractive sectors
The Iberian Real Estate Summit also included a Networking Lunch, with the participation of Daniel Gálvez, Head of Capital Markets and Executive Director of CBRE Spain as keynote speaker. According to this expert, the most attractive assets of the Iberian real estate market are "urban shopping centers, dominant and with strong performance", as well as the residential rental market, and hotels, “namely 3 to 4 star hotels in key urban areas or serviced apartments”. Regarding the alternative sectors, it highlights the senior or student residences, as well as the offices "in the best locations in Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon".