Worlds Most Expensive Flat

It was reported that the worlds most expensive was sold last year in London at One Hyde park, a development of luxury flats by the property developers the Candy brothers.

The flat in question was reported to be sold for £140 million, around £6,000 per square foot!

The flat boasts certain features that can only be described as one of a kind anywhere in the world;

• A tunnel to the neighbouring Mandarin Oriental Hotel offering 24hr room service
• SAS trained security guard
• Bullet proof windows
• Panic room
• UK stamp duty of £5.6 million
• Heating via a bore hole that is 450ft deep to the earths crust
• Floor to ceiling windows with views of Hyde Park

More info at the Daily Mail

UK property asking prices up 3.1%

According to property agency, Rightmove, UK property prices have increased by 3.1% in February. They also reveal that the number of new sellers in London up 21 per cent over last Feb.

 

Property Prices Set To Rise

An article on Propertyshowrooms.com reports that central London prime property locations will see a 2.5% increase in price by the end of 2011.

The article, with information supplied from Cluttons consultancy, stated that overseas investors have held the market for the last few years but the return of local buyers will see the market improve over the coming 5 years.

Saigol DDC

Despite the tough economic conditions and all the talk of austerity, Saigol-DDC (arguably London’s leading developer of period, super-prime properties) has continued its impressive track record of profits.

While hedge fund indices, many private equity funds and leading stock market indices have all taken a hammering since early 2008, Saigol DDC has posted returns on equity of 50% during the credit crunch. Combine this with Saigol DDC’s pre-crunch returns on equity of 150% plus from 2005-2008 and Saigol DDC’s track record of success is clear.

How has Saigol DDC managed to offer these strong returns when returns from other competitor funds have been poor? Faisal Saigol puts Saigol DDC’s success down to a clear strategy and investment discipline. He says, “While many investors got carried away in the bull market, Saigol DDC continued to invest only in deals that carried a large margin of safety. That margin of safety gave us strong profits in a healthy, growing market and also gave us valuable insurance in a rapidly sinking market. Saigol DDC borrowed this investment strategy from the legendary Warren Buffett whose staggering record makes us very, very humble indeed.”

Such investment-focused talk is not surprising coming from Faisal Saigol given his background: a degree in Law from Cambridge, an MBA from Harvard Business School and initial career experience in private equity in London and at Goldman Sachs in New York.

Faisal (now 38 years old) says, “My career experience in my 20s made it very clear that in a cyclical, leveraged industry like property, a long-term business can only be built through good and bad markets if an organisation retains its discipline. Otherwise, the high level of debt in property has the potential to wipe investors out quickly in a downturn. We are delighted that Saigol DDC maintained its discipline at the top of the market when others were losing their focus.” When asked how this discipline was maintained, Faisal replies, “Often saying no to a deal is more important than closing a deal and often sticking to a deal you believe in when others are panicking pays dividends.”

The returns Saigol DDC has delivered in the crunch look even better when you consider the 150m of property that Saigol DDC has bought and sold since 2005. This sizeable property track record includes Knightsbridge penthouses overlooking The Albert Hall, 6 bedroom flats with far-reaching views across Hyde Park and blocks where morning-coated porters carry shopping up to the apartments.

In addition to the strong equity returns, Saigol DDC has used the credit crunch to add valuable team members who bring a wealth of experience and who have led large construction projects. Through the new team members, Saigol DDC’s operational track record includes building a 300,000sqft teaching centre, constructing a 22 storey extension to a hotel and creating 130 new flats in a hospital to residential conversion.

Can this stellar performance continue against a backdrop of austerity and cuts? Faisal Saigol feels confident that it can. Faisal says, “Saigol DDC made great profits while the market was going up. We also over the last 3 years made strong profits despite the market falling off a cliff. We are therefore very confident that in a more subdued market, Saigol DDC’s profits should be very good.”

Given Saigol DDC’s exceptional track record, it is hard to dispute this view.

What is a super prime property?

Super prime properties in London tend to be focused in select boroughs such as;

• Belgravia
• Mayfair
• Knightsbridge
• Kensington
• Chelsea

Whilst having luxurious finishes they offer the additional features that cant be found in your standard houses/flats;

• A personal lift
• Number plate recognition for automated garage door
• Self contained flat for the body guard/maid/butler

Most of these are priced from £10m up to £30m and according to this article by the FT.com the super prime property market is on the rise

Hello world!

Welcome to the Saigol DDC blog – expect news and information focusing on the London property market and in particular the exciting super prime property market.

 

For more information please visit us at the Saigol DDC website (http://saigol-ddc.com/).