LONDON-A new joint venture between New York-based opportunity fund Westbrook Partners and private clients of Jones Lang LaSalle has earmarked $1.25 billion for investment in the UK, and $0.5 billion has already been spent on a portfolio of 20 properties.

LONDON-Private property investor Madison Land has bought a site on the main A30 road in Staines, Middlesex, and plans a 38,000-sf speculative office scheme due for completion in late 2002.

LONDON-Today sees the start of a six-week public inquiry into Heron's proposal for a 600-ft tower in Bishopsgate, on the eastern fringe of the City. If Heron succeeds, observers expect a rush of new high-rise schemes in the capital and elsewhere.

LONDON-Distribution group Securicor Omega Express has taken the largest of the three units at Chancerygate's Europa 3 development in Chessington, Surrey.

LONDON-London's South Bank office district should is now emerging as a mature office market according to the latest report from DTZ Research. This should help it withstand any economic downturn.

LONDON-Central London specialist Shaftesbury has increased its holdings in Covent Garden with the purchase of Wellington House an office and car park investment on St Martin's Lane, WC2.

LONDON-Asda Property Holdings has kick-started its 110,000-sf office refurbishment at 11 Bonhill Street in the City with the pre-letting of 32,000 sf to the Lattice Group.

LONDON-Health club operator Esporta has become the first occupier to sign up at Stanhope and Morley Fund Management's PeopleBuilding development in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.