EXPERT'S OPINION

As we endure the ongoing COVID-19 Health crisis, BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland Director and Head of Land and Development Robert Lloyd gives us his observations and answers some of the more pertinent questions often put to him...

Google’s decision to back out of a 18,600 sq. m letting at The Sorting Office in Dublin’s Silicon Docks recently brought wails of agony; mostly from media though, it has to be said.

The investment market is in for a bumpy ride until year end, with limited transactions expected in the short term. Q1 started robustly, with Irish investment for Q1 2020 up c. 9% YoY, and 2019 being the benchmark year in terms of investment volume records.

Retail property has traditionally been seen as a secure long term investment class, particularly prime High Street and best in class Shopping Centre and Retail Park Investments. Historically it has provided superior returns, long term stability and growth of income. It has also preserved residual value, allowed for diversification and enhanced the scope to deploy substantial capital in a single transaction.