Real Estate in Italy and abroad 2007 report

The real estate funds industry in Italy has surpassed even the most optimistic forecasts. In five years the number of active funds has risen from 7 to 155 (end of 2006) and will come close to exceeding 200 by the end of the current year. Real estate assets have risen from 1.4 billion euro in 2001 to 30 billions forecast by the end of 2007. This is now the largest asset class of the Italian private sector, overtaking insurance (24 billion euro) and banks (8.5).

Italian real estate assets

ITALY - Managers of two funds launched last week claim they can harness scarce Italian real estate assets to generate well-above-average returns for pension fund investors.

campaign to oppose development plans in Lake Como

George Clooney, the Hollywood actor, has joined a campaign to oppose development plans near his villa in Lake Como.Clooney, whose spends around four months a year at his Italian villa, says the council development will ruin the peace of the small town of Laglio.

Goldman Sachs raised its bid for Italian real estate funds

Zwinger Opco, a vehicle run by Goldman's real estate fund Whitehall, raised its offer for Tecla to 680 euros a unit and that for Berenice to 725 euros a unit, Zwinger said in a note on Thursday.

New real estate fund focused on Italy

AMSTERDAM (Thomson Financial) - ING Real Estate, part of the ING Groep NV, said it launched the ING Real Estate Italian Retail Fund with a target size of 1 bln eur.

IN THE HILLS - LUCCA

Enchanting and very characteristic restored farmhouse of 230 sqm approx. with large barn of about 440 sqm to be restored and about 7.5 ha of land, set on hillside position with stunning panoramic views, in one of the most exclusive areas just outside the medieval town of Lucca. It must be viewed.