Leading investors and property experts from across the region have hailed the city’s third visit to MIPIM, the world’s largest property event, as a tremendous success.
Bradford once again stole the Yorkshire limelight attracting the attention of international real estate professionals and investors during the three day event.
Over 600 senior decision-makers and property professionals attended the Bradford exhibition stand and numerous sponsored events in the Bradford apartment at the Cannes property fair, to find out about the progress that has been made and to learn more about the key projects and investment opportunities available.
Bradford’s progress and evident potential drew significant interest from over 20 major investors and developers with considerable developer interest in the Exchange Court and Business Forest mixed-use development opportunities.
The city shone after hosting a series of events featuring high profile guest speakers including Sir Bob Kerslake and environmentalist Bjorn Lomborg, and making a series of significant announcements about future plans for the city.
Whilst at the conference Bradford launched plans to create a £750m Learning Quarter in the city, the expansion of the Listerhills Sustainable Student Village, the city’s ranking as the 6th best small city in Europe for inward investment and the publication of the 2008 Knight Frank Market Activity report.
A record 39 businesses sponsored Bradford’s biggest ever presence at MIPIM this year, attracting some major names from across the property and investment world.
After the event Mohammed Ishtiaq, from Mi7 the developer responsible for the Listerhills development and one of the lead Gold Sponsors, spoke highly of the achievements of Bradford.
He said: “ There are some really exciting and dynamic developments opening up in the city through the regeneration programme and you can not successfully regenerate the city without inward investment. Bradford really made its mark this year and attracted a huge amount of attention.
“ With 74 countries represented and over 26,000 participants attending, MIPIM is an ideal opportunity to raise the profile of Bradford. A number of investors from the Middle East who I’m already working with were particularly impressed with the opportunities that exist in Bradford and left with serious intentions of exploring these opportunities further.
“It is clear that investors have a great deal of respect and confidence in the city.”
His words were also echoed by Harold Robinson from Magellan Properties Limited. He added: “A resounding success for the Bradford team at MIPIM for the third year running. A great opportunity to tell the development world how Bradford is transforming itself. With the Learning Quarter, A Park at the Heart, Broadway Shopping Mall, The Channel Urban Village, to mention but a few.”
Sheikh Mani Waheed, whose fast-growing company Squarefoot Apartments is a leading specialist in Bradford city centre properties, supported the city’s presence at MIPIM for the second year running.
He said: “Many international investors now have Bradford firmly on their radar of property markets with high growth potential. As a key agent it is essential that we are at MIPIM to promote the city and answer their questions.
“Apartment valuations in Bradford city centre are holding up well, despite the downward trend in residential prices nationally. Shrewd investors, both in the UK and overseas, look beyond medium term market fluctuations and see this as a good time to buy.
“We are seeing sustained interest in the four city centre schemes for which we are currently sole marketing agents.”
The team representing the city was led by senior members from the Council and Yorkshire Forward as well as leaders from the Bradford Chamber of Commerce and key members of the Bradford Centre Regeneration team. The senior team attend MIPIM each year to allow investors and developers to meet with key decision makers, demonstrating that Bradford is a developer-friendly city keen to work in partnership with them.
This year Bradford’s presence attracted the backing of major property names as ‘Gold’ sponsors, who are involved in rejuvenating the city from its core, including global property advisors DTZ ; property consultants Arup joined forces with Magellan and the Robinson Design Group to promote their activities in Bradford; and Mi7.
Other key sponsors include Bradford law firm Last Cawthra Feather, Bradford Chamber of Commerce, McGinnis Developments, Knight Frank property agents, McAleer and Rushe, developers from Northern Ireland, Drivers Jonas property agents, Square Foot Developments, Holroyd Properties, Gleesons, Dixon Law solicitors, MACE, 4Urban, Spring & Company and marketing agency Brahm.