The Finance Minister of Cyprus has predicted that the country will see growth of 3.7 % for 2009 as well as see full employment and lowered inflation. In a recent news conference reviewing the government’s budget for 2009 and the economic outlook for Cyprus, Finance Minster Charilaos Stavrakis had a very positive outlook. “In spite of the world going through an unprecedented economic crisis marked by...
According to a new study, eight out the top ten most expensive housing markets in the United States are in California, while eight Midwestern cities are among the ten most affordable. The Coldwell Banker Home Price Comparison index compares the average value of a 2,200 square foot house with four bedrooms, two and half bathrooms and a two car garage across the top 315 US markets. La Jolla, CA came in as...
In the wake of the US financial crisis, bad unemployment news and a slowing housing market comes even more disheartening news for the UK as independent economists have downgraded their forecasts for the economy. The monthly survey of some 30 institutions indicated that the average forecast for economic growth for 2009 is a paltry 0.3%. That is down from 0.8% in August and 1.1% in July. The survey was...
A new high rise development is set to rise in the heart of Manila’s Makati City. Century City is located along Kalayaan Avenue next to the exclusive subdivisions of San Miguel Village and Bel Air Village. This mixed use development will have luxury residential towers, entertainment, retail shops, office space and a private recreation center for residents and workers. The master plan for Century City...
Turkey’s holiday capital of Antalya has had a banner year in terms of the number of visitors, and things continue to boom well into September. According to news reports in the Turkish Daily News, the city has already surpassed more than 7 million visitors for the year. That is up by 19% from last year’s number of just under 6 million tourists for the same time. The Antalya Culture and Tourism...
The coastal city of Macae, about three hours north of Rio de Janeiro, has just had a new shopping center open. The Plaza Macae will serve this city of some 160,000 residents with new stores, a movie theatre and restaurants. The center has 243,000 square feet and is anchored by Lojas Americanas, C&A Marisa, and a five screen movie theatre. A second phase of the shopping center is set to open in...
Italy’s national air carrier, Alitalia, is working feverishly to save itself in last minute talks with unions, other carriers and the Italian government. The company is on the verge of bankruptcy and the crisis is leaving travelers, who have already been hit by the collapse of XL Leisure Group, in a difficult situation. Additionally, another British based tour company, K&S Travel, closed its doors...
For those who have wanted to experience the popular Caribbean Island of Barbados, October offers the perfect time. That is when the Taste of Barbados Food Festival takes place across the island, offering visitors and residents alike some of the finest foods and drinks the country has to offer. The festival runs from October 3rd through the 11th. This year’s Taste of Barbados will offer not only the...
Las Vegas is growing once again with a number of new real estate projects under way in the area. These condominiums, hotels and mixed use projects are transforming the gambling capital of the world into a more livable and, in many cases, sustainable city. The downtown area is in the midst of an unprecedented shift with its new public facilities, transportation projects, galleries, clubs, shops and more....
Herzog & de Meuron, the architects of Beijing’s Olympic Stadium, commonly called the Bird’s Nest, as well as Munich’s Allianz Arena, have designed a residential skyscraper in New York City called 56 Leonard Street. This is the Swiss firm’s first high rise property development and is a 57 floor condominium tower in the Tribeca area of Manhattan. The new development will be as unique as the...