LONDON REAL ESTATE FORUM – KEY MESSAGES

Rising costs, planning delays and regulatory burdens are still constraining delivery. Across sectors, the central message was that viability, infrastructure, and partnerships will dictate what actually gets built.

Institutions are re-engaging with London offices, but only for high-quality, future-fit, low-carbon space. Older, inefficient stock faces an uncertain path unless retrofitted or repurposed. Housing demand remains strong, yet viability is most stretched in lower-value, infrastructure-poor areas. Large regeneration and housing schemes will only move forward if enabling infrastructure—transport, utilities, social facilities—is financed and sequenced effectively.

A strong theme was partnership: aligning public and private ambitions, sharing risk, and delivering certainty in planning and infrastructure. Public sector credibility is critical—not just asking for outcomes but enabling them through clear, streamlined policy.

Investors stressed they can price risk, but not ambiguity: clarity on regulation, carbon targets and delivery frameworks is essential. Net zero remains non-negotiable, with refurbishment favoured where viable.

Overall, London’s growth story rests on making schemes stack up financially, aligning infrastructure with housing targets, and building trust between sectors.