LONDON-Scottish Widows Unit Funds has made its largest single property acquisition with the pounds 40.9 million ($65 million) purchase of the Vicar Lane shopping centre in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, from Dunedin.

LONDON-War in Iraq may reinforce the attractions of real estate investment in Europe, but the overall effect on the property market will depend on the length and outcome of the conflict, according to Jones Lang LaSalle.

LONDON-Germany has overtaken the United States as the single largest investor into European commercial property accounting for almost 30% of total purchases in 2002, according to DTZ Research.

LONDON-Industrial investor and developer Brixton has let over half of its only speculative development, the V3 project at Park Royal in North-West London to Daimler Chrysler.

LONDON-Private development company Highland Developments has unveiled plans for South Hampshire's largest new office building in a pounds 20 million ($32 million) speculative scheme in Eastleigh town centre, just outside Southampton.

LONDON-The Universities' Superannuation Scheme has bought the Yardley Business Park in Basildon, Essex, from a joint venture between Minton Group and Mirravale Group for over pounds 26 million ($41 million).

LONDON-Occupier demand in the industrial sector is slowing, but a shortage of stock is helping to sustain rental values, according to new research from Atis Real Weatheralls.

LONDON-The prospect of imminent war and continued economic uncertainty led to the first fall in house prices in England and Wales for over two years during February 2003, according to the RICS.