Asian investors are beginning to scout for property deals that would benefit from shifts in how people live and work in a post-coronavirus world, according to Hong Kong-based boutique investment advisory firm TTB Partners Ltd.
The expected changes brought on by lockdowns that have swept through cities globally should boost the attractiveness of suburban office parks and warehouses in Europe that serve e-commerce companies, TTB co-founder Jonathan Bond said. TTB specializes in linking investors in Asia with foreign sellers.
“There was a trend of moving toward remote working even prior to Covid-19 and that has only been expedited by recent events, in particular with travel having a higher risk premium,” Bond said.
Some of the world’s biggest companies are considering drastically changing their approach to regular offices in the wake of Covid-19. More are expected to relocate employees to suburban outposts while some may have staff working from home indefinitely. At the same time, the pandemic has changed the face of retail, with people reluctant to go to malls and instead more content to shop over the internet.