Estates Gazette’s must reads: 5-9 May

Here’s a wrap-up of some of the top stories on Estates Gazette from the past week. “It’s important to remember that there might be bumps in the road, but you have to take the rough with the smooth, and face those challenges.” In this week’s big interview, Victoria Towers, head of commercial real estate at law firm Forsters talks about her career path, her love of sheds, and the importance of inspiring the next generation of property lawyers.Forsters’ Victoria Towers: Leading by example Two former managing directors of investment at Greystar have teamed up to form a build-to-rent platform with ambitions to develop 1,000 homes in five years. Harry Downes has partnered with Jamie Spencer to build a platform aiming to provide mid-market, low-rise, low-amenity BTR homes in the South East.Ex-Greystar duo team up for £150m BTR platform Grosvenor’s James Raynor has taken the chair of the Westminster Property Association from Landsec’s Marcus Geddes. The pair sat down with Estates Gazette to discuss the role of the trade body and the importance of real estate winning “hearts and minds”.‘Hearts and minds’: Grosvenor chief takes charge of WPA A company controlled by property investor Robert Tchenguiz is suing Spanish law firm Cuatrecasas for €213m (£181m) claiming it acted negligently over the sale of Santander’s Madrid HQ.Tchenguiz company sues law firm for €200m over Santander HQ sale Market volatility caused by US president Donald Trump’s tariff strategies is already leading to a slowdown in capital raising and companies pausing large projects, real estate agency bosses have warned as they deliver their firms’ first-quarter results. “Generally speaking, there is still an uncertainty in the marketplace, which is preventing clients from making longer-term decisions on leases,” said Colliers chairman and chief executive Jay Hennick this week on the state of the capital markets.‘Uncertain and unclear’: Agencies tackle tariff troubles Other stories not to miss: LondonMetric makes £699m offer for Urban Logistics REITOfcom office search homes in on three London submarketsUK BTR sector enters next phase with £6bn in sightHB Reavis to enter UK student accommodation marketLondon office fit-outs the most expensive in the worldKnight Frank picks charity partner for social impact pushHousing construction growth offsets non-residential dipProperty security start-up raises £1mLocale and Vantify team up for tenantsManufacturer Thermocable to move into Bradford’s Leftfield Park Image © Paul Tait