MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
London's emblematic 'The Gherkin' building purchased by Brazilian billionaire
The Gherkin, one of the most distinctive buildings on London's skyline, has been bought by a Brazilian billionaire. Joseph Safra is reported to have paid more than £700m for the 180 meter tower, which is officially known as 30 St Mary Axe, its street address. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesLondon is considered a safe haven to invest in. Especially in property. You simply can't make this sort of investment in Brazil unfortunately. I wonder if Safra actually lives in Brazil?
Nov 11th, 2014 - 10:13 am - Link - Report abuse 0it seems england has already sold all its jewels to foreigners.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 10:31 am - Link - Report abuse 0next: the buckingham palace.
He lives in Sao Paulo. Shows you know very little about Brazil, or even nothing. Brazil has excellent malls that could compete in terms of standard housing.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 10:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0When was the last time London had a deal like that? His former owners were bankrupt? It's another sign of Western housing crisis?
It looks like a cheap firework...someone please light the blue touch-paper and send it off harmlessly into space.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 10:56 am - Link - Report abuse 0It's a bloody eyesore.
@2 polly - your English comprehension is deteriorating quite rapidly.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 11:38 am - Link - Report abuse 0First line of the article.
“The Norman Foster-designed building was completed in 2004 for Swiss Re.”
It was built for, and paid for by a Swiss global Insurance company that wanted an icononic building in the financial capital of the world, and a wise investment.
It isn't 'english' for England to sell. You really have no idea about the global property maket, so here is lesson #1
London is well-known, safe place to put your money into long-term property investment.
That is why so many rich people, companies and sovereign wealth funds do so.
Lesson #2 will follow when you have digested lesson #1
I wonder why he didn't invest in Brazil:
Nov 11th, 2014 - 12:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://en.mercopress.com/2014/11/11/violent-crime-costs-brazil-5.4-of-gdp-2.212-people-dead-in-police-operations
ilsen
Nov 11th, 2014 - 12:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0London is well-known, safe place to put your money into long-term property investment.
ha. good one.
your knowledge of real estate market is zero.
here is lesson #1
Five reasons why the London property bubble will burst
1) Foreign buyers
2) New no more
3) Political fallout: Generation rent
4) Government fiddling: Taxes
5) Mortgages, interest rates and whole lot of market distortion
now, try to digest lesson #1
#7
Nov 11th, 2014 - 12:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Would you care to amplify your statements at :-
2) New no more...what does that mean in english ?
3) Political fallout: Generation rent...as above.
4) Government fiddling: Taxes..... as above.
I am sure you know what you meant but it's rather truncated and comes across as some words strung together without any clear meaning.
He is talking about something he claims 'will' happen. Not something that has happened. Pure speculation.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 12:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0He also thinks that he knows better than all those rich investors, companies and sovereign wealth funds.
Which is why he is poor.
8
Nov 11th, 2014 - 12:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0grandpa clyde
read and learn:
http://moneyweek.com/is-londons-property-bubble-starting-to-burst/
http://moneyweek.com/is-londons-property-bubble-starting-to-burst/
and for all of youl: stop reading this 4th class newspaper, you brainwashed islanders
Bahahahaha well how silly was that Brazilian spending over £700 million on an asset that he can't remive from the UK.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 12:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0But where else could one who is interested in Latin America go to both laugh and tease the silly trolls like tobi and polly AND still have lively and interesting debate with the more intelligent and knowledgeable posters on here?
Nov 11th, 2014 - 12:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It is certainly a two-tier environment. Polly and tobi, marcos & Co on the lower tier of commentators, obviously.
Q… .. Why aren't Brazilians investing in Argentina.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 12:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0A…… Because Argentina is an unstable basket case.
Invest in Britain (or the Falkland Islands) its safe and rewarding.
Looks like Brazilians aren't even investing in Brazil. They prefer to 'park' their money in London property.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 01:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0#10
Nov 11th, 2014 - 01:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I see we are back in patronising mode again..
Thank you for that salutation and reply, however, that was NOT my question.
I asked what “new no more” meant in English and you failed to answer it by your usual side stepping.
Thank you for also admitting that we have “brains”, something that appears to be sadly lacking in YOUR countrymen. Yours could do with a good scrubbing to allow some sense to penetrate the years of indoctrination.
I wouldn't expect anything remotely like facts, logic and reasoned debate from paul-carrion. That train left the station and while ago.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 01:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Certainly won't answer your questions, I'm still waiting to hear him prove his recent claims that the UK is expecting a massive devaluation of sterling!
And that sterling is the MOST overvalued currency in the WORLD.
Arf!
“it seems england has already sold all its jewels to foreigners.”
Nov 11th, 2014 - 01:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Its classic Peronist mentality. Economic chauvinism. In normal countries not much notice is given to the passport of the owners of assets and companies. Countries compete for investment.
Safe, prestigious investments in safe, prestigious cities. Safra obviously has a bit more faith in the London property market than Polly. After all Joseph Safra is betting £700 million that he is correct and Polly is wrong.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 01:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0All Polly has to lose is his reputation.
Arf ! Arf!
Arf ! Arf !
lol!
peronista says the kirchnerista culo roto...lol
Nov 11th, 2014 - 02:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0LOL
again paulie avoids any explainations and side-steps answering questions and fails to support his spurious claims
Nov 11th, 2014 - 03:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 01/10 polly
Personally I welcome Safra's investment in the London property market. Helps keep the economy bouyant. Unlike some other economies that are going down the toilet.
ilsen / grandpa clyde
Nov 11th, 2014 - 03:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0you could not even do your own homework eh?
http://www.londonlovesbusiness.com/property/residential-property/five-reasons-why-the-london-property-bubble-will-burst/5892.article
now talking about the gherkin and in spite of having been designed by norman foster, is just a piece of shite.
not only formally, but also functionally.
it is the same with the walkie-talkie, designed by another good architect rafael viñoly.
it seems london inspires good architects to design the worst buildings ever.
now, why i am spending my valuable time talking about architecture with you, lazy islanders?
for you lot, architecture is a cabin in the middle of the islets.
Paul, the gherkin...I bet you would love it shoved up your jacksie!
Nov 11th, 2014 - 03:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Show us an equivalent in BA...how about Villa 31! LOL
22 the voice
Nov 11th, 2014 - 04:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0the gherkin, you nabo, is in london, not by chance.
everybody knows that londoners, islanders and the rest love a gherkin shoved up your asses.
it is like a monument for your strange tastes.
paulcedron swallows
Nov 11th, 2014 - 04:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 024
Nov 11th, 2014 - 04:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0shh.
shut up illegal chilote.
didn't they deport you yet?
are you in jail?
guess you are enjoying your life behind the bars, eh?
25
Nov 11th, 2014 - 04:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Hahahahaah
Wasn't I a Jewish Zionist pig killing Palestinians some months ago?? Then a ilegal Chilote, now a Kirchnerist and then Chilote again??
So paulie has provided 3 links to articles that speculate on what MIGHT happen in the future. Not things that have happened or are current.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 04:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Equally Safra has just bought an office building. All three of paulie's links relate to what MIGHT happen in the domestic housing market.
Does anybody understand what point paulie is trying to make?
Just more jealous obssessiing with the UK perhaps?
Meanwhile fellow Latin American Joseph Safra is betting £700 big ones that his money is better placed in London than Brazil.
What is paulis putting down?
Safra, who is thought to be personally worth about 15bn dollars apparently believes this building is already a London icon that is distinguished from others in the market, with excellent value growth potential.
Piss-poor paulis disagrees.
hmm... not exactly a hard one to call, is it?
The Safra Group said: “The acquisition of 30 St Mary Axe is consistent with our real estate strategy of investing in properties that are truly special, at the best locations within great cities. [not Buenos Aires then? arf! arf!]
26
Nov 11th, 2014 - 04:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0all the illegal chilotes, perucas, paraguas and bolitas are kirchneristas.
chilotes, perucas, paraguas and bolitas with all due respect, of course.
they can enter the country without any control, ask for free education and health care, and ask for a chori-plan.
why they (you lot) would be another thing?
28.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 04:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I don’t know what the Chileans in Argentina vote, because they are old and came in the 70s and 80s. The Argentine young are serving coffe and prostituting themselves in richer Chile.
But you know that I’m completely anti Kirchnerist, the most anti K guy here by far, so you are just blaspheming
“The Gherkin won the Royal Institute of British Architects' Stirling Prize in 2004 for its ”elegant and impressive” design.”
Nov 11th, 2014 - 04:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I imagine gherkins are a little too sophisticated for Polly's tastes. I expect he has only every seen one through the window of McDonalds, whilst pan-handling for coins in the street.
Interesting where his mind wanders too in reference to gherkins though. He is a little 'over-sharing' when it comes to his personal peccadilos and fantasies, eurggh!
CD2, you know you shouldn't confuse him with facts and truths. The boy drinks unicorn milk for breakfast and believes in elves.
He has certainly swerved away from his previous topic and descended into vitriol and attacking posters randomly, which was depressingly predictable...
#21
Nov 11th, 2014 - 05:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0All I asked was for a translation of your piss poor jumbled English
2) New no more...what does that mean in English ?
The question could not be simpler.....thought of a translation yet ?
grandpa clyde
Nov 11th, 2014 - 05:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0i answer you again because you seem to be good chap.
not like the rest of the chavs here, i mean.
but all you had to do was to read the article, written by a real british, by the way.
is that so difficult for you?
”2) New no more
New builds account for the overwhelming majority of new housing stock, but they have a shorter shelf life and will, on the whole, appreciate less quickly than their classical counterparts. However, new builds tend to be more expensive than older homes per square meter initially. An increasing amount of new build property is expected to come on market in the next few years which will help to elevate London property prices in the short term, but could lead to a longer-term tapering off of prices.
Much of the greatest price appreciation we have seen has been in areas where new builds have promised to revamp previously run-down areas. Overnight, Battersea has turned from a “isn’t that on the wrong side of the river?” destination to the “it” part of town.
But what comes up usually comes down. Past experience shows that new-builds tend to have a shorter shelf-life than their period partners.
Even the most bullish of London property pundits admit that almost all new homes – especially purpose-built apartments - tend to spike in price upon launch, before either depreciating or appreciating less quickly than their period rivals. The last year has seen an upswing in construction, as will the next few years, but that means that much of London’s new housing stock is near to reaching its relative peak.
Within a few years, new becomes dated, subsequently driving down demand – at least until a large-scale refurbishment is enacted. Even when it is, in relative terms prices are unlikely to return to their original highs.
More iconic projects with direct river views may be able to escape the new-build curse, but many cannot. In Canary Wharf, the epicentre of contemporary new-builds, prices have failed to recover from their post-reces
30.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 05:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“The boy drinks unicorn milk for breakfast ” You mean he drinks from a stallion unicorn ??
@32. Just think of all the council tax he's going to have to pay. Will he be paying monthly? It'll be about £2.1 million EVERY year. Thanks for giving us your money.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 06:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0See, pan-handler polly? If you had put the link in with your quote in the first place you wouldn't have to 'copy and paste' now, would you?
Nov 11th, 2014 - 06:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Try and follow a few simple 'norms' and people might even listen to you a bit more. Although they will still laugh at you.
You still haven't explained what point you are trying to make. Just showing an article that speculates on what might happen means nothing. Apart from saying that London housing stock MIGHT be reaching a peak. That is normal, markets correct themselves. It is not armegeddon, and certainly nothing to do with the subject of a Brazillian buying an office block for £700 million because he believes it is a safe investment.
What is it you are trying to say?
30
Nov 11th, 2014 - 06:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0traga cabeza dura por popa
“I don’t know what the Chileans in Argentina vote, because they are old and came in the 70s and 80s”
no, you little faggot.
you illegal chilotes are coming en masse to this country.
Unos 300 pungas chilenos operan en los subtes porteños
Por Edición Impresa
“A fines de 2012 se produjo un éxodo masivo de estos delincuentes desde Santiago de Chile hacia Buenos Aires”, se denuncia en un amplio informe titulado Pasaje al Delito, que realizaron periodistas de Chilevisión.”
and one of those cabecitas negras was you, traga cabecita negra por popa.
oh how lovely!
Nov 11th, 2014 - 06:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0:-(
potty-mouth cedron has sunk as low as homophobia, xenophobia and racism whilst going completely off-topic AND avoiding responses to his original statements, and not posting in English. All in one post!
6 massive Fails.
0/10 paulie
(and the boy is to lazy to provide a link, should be -1/10)
36. paulcedron swallows
Nov 11th, 2014 - 06:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0300 chilean crooks have come to learn the trick of the trade from Argentines. No suprise there.
That is not a mass migration, in that same year 2012 alone 5700 Argentines migrated to Chile.
http://www.latercera.com/noticia/nacional/2013/05/680-524260-9-fuerte-llegada-de-extranjeros-a-chile-marca-cambios-a-politica-de-inmigracion.shtml
Stop treating chileans and foreigners as if this was 1960s, times have changed and you may end up cleaning there bathrooms
@33 CD2
Nov 11th, 2014 - 06:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 030.
“The boy drinks unicorn milk for breakfast ” You mean he drinks from a stallion unicorn ??
For this I must confess my (happy) ignorance. You should ask him, it is his fantasy world.
However, I would like to state that I do not condone animal abuse, and I do support unicorn same-sex marriage.
:-)
Are there no lady unicorns? boohoo! No-one told me! and Father Christmas? Nooo...! Say it ain't so!
I'm sure potty-mouth cedron can tell us, after he has finished looking in the back of the Wardrobe for those 'malvinas' whatever the damn things are....
I am sure he will be along to tell us that Evita is not dead, because a 'little bird' told him.. a la Maduro...
Meanwhile, I will stop feeding him biscuits and start 'doling-out' some gherkins...
;-)
Surely even the unemployed deserve a treat?
*yawn
Nov 11th, 2014 - 08:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Boy you argie worms are wiggling tonight,
Nov 11th, 2014 - 08:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The Brazilians now have the 'The Gherkin'
and we still have the chips,,,,
what wrong with that ?
this thread is hysterical - the Brazilian worth 15 billion thinks its a good investment - the illiterate mavlinista worth 15 pesos says it isnt.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 08:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0who's gonna back the malvo...?
Who GAF who owns damn thing?
Nov 11th, 2014 - 08:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0POLLY
Read what you post you dipstick. Most of the article was positive and the only little raincloud was something that has not happened and may never happen.
Unlike TDC where all the shit has happened and the pile is getting larger.
Seems like the only point of this thread, is that Polly Potty-mouth Paulie, does not have a point.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 10:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Congratulations Paulie, you have just wasted everyone's time.
As usual!
The dipstick.
nabous various, especially ilsen, christine and the rest of the twats.
Nov 11th, 2014 - 11:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0stop talking about the posters, you 1/4 wits, and try focus on the topic.
you cant?
not a surprise
I have commented on the article.
Nov 12th, 2014 - 08:58 am - Link - Report abuse 0Polly has commented on speculation about the future of the housing market. Which has nothing to do with the topic.
Now I have shown his true worth he suddenly wants to return to the topic.
I started @1
Anyone else want to comment on the actual topic?
First, the building is under priced.
Nov 12th, 2014 - 10:30 am - Link - Report abuse 0It will only increase in value in the coming years.
Second, it returns a positive rental income from the tenants clients.
Third, the purchase and maintenance require outside assets, and not only positive cash flow from rentals. Many assets were put together for this package.
Fourth, as mentioned, Swiss RE originally commissioned the building. The fact that post-sale Swiss RE remains as one of the largest tenants, says something very positive about the design and functionality.
@46
Nov 12th, 2014 - 10:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0Yes actually, I think the Gherkin is beautiful, good luck to Mr Safra, I hope it turns out well for him, more foreign investment, hows PATO MURTE doing?
I wonder what the tax benefit to the UK Treasury will be from this deal?
Nov 12th, 2014 - 12:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I expect it will be substantial.
@CD
Nov 12th, 2014 - 04:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You have really hit a nerve with paul there. He has such contempt for Chileans that despite his hate of the K's and their destruction of the Arg economy, he can't bring himself to recognise Chile's (relative) economic success. He clings to outdated notions of “industrialization” and tax consuming vanity projects as measures of economic prowess rather than actual measures of economic performance.
@paul
I don't doubt there are 300 Chilean thieves working the BA subte. If that was your business, would you rather deal with the Carabineros of the BA police??
There are Argentinians working at every level in Chile. Many have arrived to work as manual labour on construction sites; it seems almost half the waiters and peluqueros are Argies, same for hotel staff, but many professionals too. Nearly always good people.
If you claim that the Chileans in Arg are either there to steal and get free public services, and consider that Chile is full of Argies looking for economic opportunities, what does that tell you about the current situation?
Not hard to work it out.
When you are done fixating on the Gherkin, look over the Andes to Stgo.... Costanera center the tallest building in South America, owned by a Chilean billionaire who also owns a lot of Argentine assets.
Condorito
Nov 12th, 2014 - 06:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Good post.
It's interesting to note the influx of all classes of society that are emigrating to Chile. Bedsides the waiters, maids, gardeners and workmen, there is a notable influx of middle and upper class professionals from both Venezulea and Argentina. Here in Chicureo we have a large number of doctors, teachers and business professionals that have relocated here from those countries that are happy to have their families in a safe and stable environment.
chile is the same shite as argentina.
Nov 13th, 2014 - 12:03 am - Link - Report abuse 03rd world south american countries.
neither more nor less
http://archivo.losandes.com.ar/notas/2010/2/28/un-475041.asp
http://archivo.losandes.com.ar/notas/2010/2/28/un-475041.asp
Another triumph from Polly in
Nov 13th, 2014 - 01:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0The Argentine National Sport of Self Foot Shooting (© ilsen 2014)
@3 PetistadeMerda
Nov 13th, 2014 - 02:27 am - Link - Report abuse 0“He lives in Sao Paulo. Shows you know very little about Brazil, or even nothing. Brazil has excellent malls that could compete in terms of standard housing”...
So, according to the brown matter in your head, if one doesn't know where Joseph Safra lives, they know nothing about Brazil.....great logic.
And where do you hide ? in some cheap housing project like “minha casa , minha vida” financed by your Granny Dilmona ?
And WTF is all that crap about “excellent malls that could compete in terms of standard housing” ?? what's that meant to mean ?? why don't you and your dumbass pals write something that makes sense, for a change ??
Thanks Jack. My thoughts exactly.
Nov 13th, 2014 - 03:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0I did actually ask a question about where Safra lives. I just got abuse.
ho hum. ..
Is it just me or did Paul just call Argentina a 3rd world country?
Nov 13th, 2014 - 10:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0anglotine
Nov 13th, 2014 - 12:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0yes of course.
i am the first in recognize it.
not like you lot, who say that england is a 1st world country (lol), the islets are not a colony (lol), that you live in democracy (ruled by a viceroy, lol) and that the islets have commercial oil (lol)
brainwashing anyone?
#57
Nov 13th, 2014 - 03:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0If that suits your mindset, who cares ? You speak for yourself. Call the UK 5th world if it helps you but makes no difference in reality.
Compared with Argentina, we are streets ahead. Thank you for your attention.
Thanks Paul.
Nov 13th, 2014 - 08:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As long as recognise that Argentina is a 3rd world country.
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