It is the first investment of ECE in the UK market where the company considers exploring new opportunities, particularly in the residential sector. ECE considers the joint venture development as an opportunity to build up its UK experience and to add their own long-term expertise in real estate development.
Commenting on the investment into the Cleveland Street project, ECE’s Chief Investment Officer, Henrie W. Koetter, said: “We are very positive about the long-term prospects for UK real estate. The project in collaboration with Art-Invest Real Estate, who are one of the most respected investor developers in Europe, was a unique opportunity to enter this sector for the first time”.
ECE is a leading shopping centre development and management company in Europe, with 195 centres under management which have a current market value of €33 billion. The family-owned company also develops large-scale real estate projects such as corporate headquarters, office and industrial buildings, logistics centres, hotels, residential properties, and city districts.
Art-Invest Real Estate UK’s Managing Partner, Ali Abbas, commented: “ECE is a natural joint venture partner for us on our first development in the UK. Its approach to real estate and its commitment to excellence is completely aligned with our strategic values. “Our partnership with ECE on this development is underpinned by our local expertise and capability to originate, execute and deliver and we are delighted to be working with them on this exciting project.”
Art-Invest Real Estate just recently announced the opening of their new London office to strengthen their local presence and to pursue a targeted early stage investment strategy.