Property markets meet at MIPIM 2010

MIPIM lived up to its reputation this year as it certainly was another lively event for the annual property gathering in Cannes, France. There was a great deal of buzz at the London pavilion at MIPIM - it was thriving with the great and the good from the capital.

There was certainly a lot of discussion about the 2012 Games business opportunities, including particular focus on the role the 2012 Games will play for those companies looking at expanding business in London and investing in east London and beyond.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, announced that the Olympic Park Legacy Company is now up and running and tasked with developing the Olympic Park after the 2012 Games into a new vibrant metropolitan area of London.

We also saw some exciting presentations on the opportunities around the redevelopment of the Nine Elms and Battersea.

Our London consultants talked with others in length about the significant and varied business development opportunities in London including the regeneration plans for Croydon and west London, with the positive impact of Crossrail a main talking point. We spoke to many companies thinking of setting up business in London as part of their business development plans.

It was also a great time for London as we collected a cluster of awards for the city from FDI magazine. London was the overall winner in the category of European City of the Future as well as coming first in a range of sub categories. Moreover Think London was the runner-up of all European Cities for its FDI strategy.

There was also a new report launched by the City of London Corporation on the competitiveness of London’s commercial property. It highlighted the cost competitiveness of London and relocation in London compared to other financial centres. It also highlighted the strength of London’s supply and London recruitment options, particularly in financial services.

Overall there was a very upbeat mood at MIPIM, with the feeling that outlooks had turned positive compared to last year and a number of property schemes that had been on hold were now coming to fruition.

With London retaining position as the number one city for overseas investment there has never been a better time to invest in London.