Intelligence Talks

You potentially won’t be able to let an office in the UK without an EPC A-B by as soon as 2030. So how can London’s office landlords prepare effectively for this energy efficiency deadline? Currently, 70% of commercial property floor space is rated EPC C or below across England & Wales. So getting ahead of potential future regulation could mean a first-mover advantage, particularly where there is a demand and supply imbalance.To unpick this complex topic, Anna is joined by Flora Harley, Knight Frank’s head of ESG research, and Harriet Hicks, ESG consultant at the property agency, who explain some of the risks and strategies commercial property landlords and investors must consider. They discuss Knight Frank’s new report on building obsolescence, which looks at more than 3,000 commercial properties that have undergone retrofitting leading to an improved EPC rating of at least B, and the measures landlords took to get there.They also delve into new research on building obsolescence, highlighting key areas such as regulatory, functional, physical, and financial risks. Practical measures like LED lighting and digital twin modelling for building improvements are discussed, along with market trends, tenant collaboration, and potential future innovations in the sector. Knight Frank’s report: Meeting the Commercial Property Retrofit Challenge - Part 1: Defining a Strategy is available here: https://www.knightfrank.com/research/report-library/meeting-the-commercial-property-retrofit-challenge-part-1-11509.aspx

Co-living is a small but growing trend in UK cities, driven by urbanisation, rising housing costs, and the need for community in an age of digital isolation. Experts from Knight Frank explore the investment landscape, government policies, demographic appeal, and future prospects of co-living compared to traditional student accommodation. The conversation covers topics such as policy evolution, investment trends, and the challenges and opportunities in the sector.Host Anna Ward discusses this and more with guests Chris Benham, Oliver Knight and Katie O’Neill. For more, please see Knight Frank’s 2024 Co-living Report here: https://content.knightfrank.com/research/2854/documents/en/co-living-report-2024-11304.pdf

What is the current state of the London office market and how will the next six months pan out? Knight Frank's Head of London Research Shabab Qadar joins host Anna Ward to discuss market activity and what is coming next for development activity and investment in the capital’s office sector. They discuss how a future supply crunch could impact the market, where the new emerging office districts will be, to what extent repurposing will feature in the market and how much stock will shift to other uses.

Rachel Reeves used her first speech as chancellor to reverse some Conservative housing policy following a Labour landslide. But aside from bringing back local housing targets, how else will the government get Britain building again? In this episode our expert panel dive into getting the balance right between net-zero goals and extensive housebuilding plans, the need for renewable energy and regulatory certainty, and how the UK and European residential markets compare. Also, if you had £50 million, where should you put that money right now in residential real estate? Host Anna Ward discusses this and more with guests Flora Harley, Stuart Baillie, and Kate Everett-Allen from Knight Frank.

In this episode of 'Intelligence Talks,' host Anna Ward discusses the potential implications of Labour and Conservative election pledges on the commercial real estate market with Will Matthews, Shabab Qadar, and Stephen Springham from Knight Frank’s research team. They examine current market conditions, and key manifesto proposals on finance, investment, tax, business rates, and planning laws.  What will be the impact of these policies on key UK commercial real estate sectors from offices to retail? And how will investment volumes turn out by the end of 2024 compared to last year? All that, plus hear how each expert would invest a hypothetical sum of £50 million in UK commercial real estate.  This is the first of two special episodes on the UK election. We will be back next month with part two after the election and you will hear from experts in our UK residential research team.

Is London tapped out or are there still great development opportunities in the capital? This week Anna Ward is joined by James Barton and Nick Alderman from Knight Frank's development land team.  In this episode, they explore where the new residential development opportunities might be, from Battersea to Hackney Wick. They also discuss who will be building these projects, the return of developers to the land market, as well as the withdrawal of housing associations, as well as the latest findings from Knight Frank’s poll of 50 volume and SME housebuilders. And the key challenges to building these developments: land scarcity, outdated council registers, and high build and finance costs. Plus, they look at whether there is a need for some flexibility in affordable housing criteria.  Don't miss this informative discussion on the opportunities and challenges shaping London's residential development scene.   REPORT: Knight Frank’s land index and survey of 50 volume and SME housebuilders

In this episode we look at how local councils in the UK are responding to the housing needs of our senior population. In real estate terms, the seniors housing sector is a small but rapidly growing part of the market – but is a lack of planning and awareness holding it back, and what does the country need to do to scale up delivery?Anna is joined by Irwin Mitchell planning partner Nicola Gooch, who specializes in mixed use regeneration projects and enabling developments, and Andrew Sandison, senior research analyst at Knight Frank, who produces research on the UK seniors housing sector.They discuss why local authorities are under pressure, following the publication of Knight Frank’s joint report with Irwin Mitchell which analyses and grades local plans for all local authorities in England based on their approach to housing for seniors. Plus, the pair are quizzed on what new policy ideas could help address the supply shortfall.REPORT: Unlocking Potential for Seniors Housing Development

The Spring Budget at a glance, plus what else could be coming down the tracks from a property perspective before the UK general election…Anna is joined by a trio of experts from our research team including Knight Frank's head of UK residential Tom Bill, head of UK retail Stephen Springham and head of ESG Flora Harley.They share their takes on the March Budget, what is likely to happen next, and what they’d like to see change after the election across housing, retail and net zero.

From student bed shortages to net zero dilemmas in property redevelopment, this episode provides a snapshot of the UK’s housing landscape. The living sectors alone can’t fix Britain’s housing crisis, but momentum is building. The country needs more decent and well managed private-rented housing, as well as more options for students and seniors.Investors have taken note: total volumes into UK BTR, student and senior living hit nearly £10bn last year, below the record £15bn in 2022 – but well above pre-Covid levels.Anna is joined by Lizzie Breckner, Katie O'Neill and Sam Heffron.They discuss how quickly BTR could scale up to deliver more of Britain’s housing supply, why students are facing an ‘existential crisis’ when it comes to property options, and what would convince older generations to downsize from family-sized homes.