Castleforge

Our Founding Partner, Michael Kovacs, recently spoke with the team at People Property Place Podcast 🎙️ in a wide-ranging interview on domestic and global industry insights and our firm's evolution.   The conversation covers Michael's career progression from Blackstone and Westbrook Partners to establishing Castleforge, our transition from advisory to discretionary fund management, strategic perspectives on office markets, and our recent venture into the data centre market.   The episode is now available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.

Coming up in May, our Founding Partner, Michael Kovacs, will be a keynote speaker at ULI’s bi-annual Spring Reception. Register at the link below for an evening of insightful discussion, networking, and engagement. https://lnkd.in/enFvyxF6

While central banks have begun their easing cycles, cautious policymakers and evolving geopolitical shifts are reshaping the economic landscape. From new tariffs and fluctuating fiscal policies to the resurgence of European defence spending, the forces driving inflation and interest rate expectations look increasingly uncertain. In our latest blog, we explore why the post-2008 era of ultra-low rates may be firmly behind us — and what that means for investors seeking stability in a volatile world

London’s office market is making a comeback, driven by the power of connectivity. While the pandemic led many to predict the demise of urban workspace hubs, unwavering demand for collaboration and productivity is reinforcing the value of proximity to key business networks. Our latest blog explores how commuter accessibility is shaping the office market’s recovery—and why transport hubs are emerging as the key battleground for office demand.

Trends in employment may ebb and flow, but one thing is certain: London will always stand tall as a global hub for business and innovation.   It’s no surprise, then, that investors are once again turning their attention to London’s prime office market, recognising the strong potential for value creation in a market with limited supply and strong demand.   At Castleforge, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this resurgence with the transformation of 75 London Wall. This landmark project will deliver an impressive 450,000 square feet of premium, amenity-led office space in a top City of London location, answering the growing demand for high-quality workplaces that meet the needs of the modern workforce.   Estates Gazette recently attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the development – a joint venture between Castleforge and engineering, property, and infrastructure group GAMUDA BERHAD – to hear more about the project and why there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the London market.   Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ehfjq6gy

The UK housing market is in crisis and levels of affordability are at their lowest in living memory. The new government aims to address this by loosening planning restrictions, reforming planning policy, and expanding local government construction. In our latest blog, we discuss why a sole focus on supply-side drivers of housing unaffordability is incomplete, and why demand-side drivers, such as wages and productivity growth, warrant closer examination.

This week, we were delighted to welcome GAMUDA BERHAD to London to mark the next stage in the £1.2bn redevelopment of 75 London Wall in the City of London, with a groundbreaking ceremony and the signing of one of London's largest ever property development loans of £500 million. In collaboration with alternative investment fund manager Cheyne Capital, this £1.2 billion redevelopment will transform the former Deutsche Bank London headquarters into a top-tier office space totalling more than 450,000 square feet, setting the bar for sustainable commercial hubs with the highest ESG standards: BREEAM 'Outstanding', WELL Core 'Platinum', and NABERS UK 5 Star Design. The groundbreaking ceremony brought together industry leaders and key government officials – including Gus Wiseman, Global Head of Investor Relations at the UK Department for Business & Trade, and Howard Dawber, the Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth – showcasing the strong partnerships driving this project forward. We are proud to lead this transformative venture in the heart of London’s financial district, reaffirming our commitment to delivering best-in-class workspaces that prioritise sustainability and tenant well-being, as well as set new standards for the adaptive reuse of office buildings. For more information, please visit: https://lnkd.in/e5NcvXVD

The debate over whether leading companies need high-quality offices in 2025 is over. The focus for the next decade is now on bringing these premium spaces to life – and investors are racing to catch up with this soaring demand.   You can read more about the thoughts of our Founding Partner, Michael Kovacs, on the topic in The Times' latest feature on ‘The Future of Work’: https://lnkd.in/e5PxjVwq

We are delighted to kick off 2025 by announcing the acquisition of Redhill Data Centre, in partnership with Galaxy Data Centers, with a development value of over £100 million.   The partnership marks our first investment in the booming data centres industry, with London now positioned as the most dominant market in Europe.   We now plan to significantly expand the data centre’s capacity to meet the increasing demand for robust digital infrastructure, driven by technological advances.   Read more on the news via this link: https://lnkd.in/ey2w67hC

Last week, our Founding Partner, Michael Kovacs, shared his thoughts in The Times on the challenges facing the UK housing market and the limitations of Build-to-Rent developments. You can read Michael's full column here: https://lnkd.in/e3ex69e3