New serviced apartments in Hangzhou, China are opening in the heart of the city, providing fully furnished residences for short and long term visitors to the city. The new apartments from Oakwood Worldwide is made up of 24 floors of 166 elegantly designed and furnished residences located in the Europe America Center next to the Yellow Dragon commercial circle.   P.G. Mathew, Managing Director of Oakwood...

The well-known architectural firm of Herzog & de Meuron have been commissioned to design three new mixed use towers in the heart of London. The new project is planned for the area around the London Bridge underground station, with specifics set to be announced soon.   The Swiss-based firm has designed a number of renowned projects around the globe, including the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing and...

The commercial property market in Mumbai and Delhi is expected to remain tight over the next few years, according to a recent report, though there may be some price correction as demand eases. Property consultants DTZ indicated in its most recent commercial property research report that new supply for Grade-A office space will be lower than expected in both 2009 and 2010.   The DTZ report, entitled...

A new website called WhyKrakow.com has just launched in partnership with the Polish National Tourist Office. This site lists 10 reasons on its homepage for why people should choose to visit Krakow and live in the area.   Acting Director of the PNTO, Ewa Binkin, said: “Krakow is a wonderful city and has lots on offer for visitors. This new website puts all of the information about Krakow at people’s...

On a beautiful hillside overlooking Funchal and the Atlantic Ocean is the Palheiro Estate. This historic property is being transformed into the premier development on the island with a golf course, luxury hotel and large lots for homes. Palheiro Village is a mix of individual villas and apartments and clubhouse facilities.   The spectacular hillside location offers property buyers amazing views and the...

Turkey’s foreign minister recently told journalists in a visit to Latvia that his country will be ready to join the European Union by 2013. Turkey has launched a four year plan to modernize the economy and meet the standards necessary for EU membership.   Turkish foreign minister Ali Babacan told journalists that “We have a full determination to join the EU. By the year 2013, Turkey will say it's...

A recovery for the Pound today, after European GDP data came out weaker than expected, forcing the Euro slightly cheaper. Good news for achieving the best Euro exchange rates. The US Dollar also became cheaper during the course of the day, as the Pound took some strength from some momentum across the board. Mid-market rates at 1630 GMT:   Sterling – Euro = 1.1183 Sterling – US Dollar =...

Prices for residential real estate in Dubai have taken a beating over the past few weeks and months, according to several recently released reports. Prices for many properties have fallen from 20 percent to 50 percent according to some news, though the overall price drop is uncertain.   The drop in prices is a result of lowered demand for properties and a lack of credit, noted analysts. Landmark Advisory,...

North of Los Cabos on the Baja Peninsula of Western Mexico is an increasingly popular destination for second home buyers and retirees. La Paz is the capital of Baja Sur, the southern of the two states that make up the peninsula. It is not nearly as well known as the towns at the very south of the peninsula, but it is a wonderful mix of old and new.   Currently home to about 200,000 residents, La Paz is...

A new gaming and mixed-use development is set to break ground later this year in Morocco. The 1,000-acre project is planned for the popular holiday city of Ouarzazate in the middle of the country near the Atlas Mountains. Société d’Aménagement et de Valorisation de Ouarzazate (SAVO) is the developer of the project, which will be the largest gaming location in the country.   Several casinos will be at...