The London Group

Proposed Commercial Legislation Is Wrong

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:43:14 +0000

A congresswoman from Nevada recently introduced legislation dubbed the Community Recovery and Enhancement Act of 2010 to provide short-term tax incentives to jump-start reinvestment in commercial real estate. The goal of the legislation is to stabilize community banks, prevent additional foreclosures and stem the bleeding in the commercial real estate industry. But will it? And do we need another government distortion of the private market? I can’t think of a worse idea, other than putting Sarah Palin in charge of non-domestic lending by Fannie Mae.

City Confronting a Problem of Historic Proportions

admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 19:49:44 +0000

Even though Juan Cabrillo initiated Western civilization in San Diego in 1542, the irony of San Diego is that it is perceived as a new city, at least in terms of its urban development. It is because of this that the city has become zealous about preserving the old.

Indeed, in 2009 the City of San Diego revised and tightened its historic site rules, in an effort to not be witness to the destruction of old structures. The rules, which are based on guidelines from the U.S. Department of the Interior, are broad and discourage destruction or major redevelopment of sites deemed historical.

Despite Adversity San Diego Is an Economic Success

admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:40:15 +0000

It is my contention that the San Diego economy will economically recover faster and stronger than most other regions in the U.S., once the recovery cycle establishes a foothold. The basis of my thinking is that certain economic circumstances set this region apart.

The San Diego region embodies almost the very definition of economic diversification. While there is no single...

Use Same Process for Big Downtown Projects

admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:09:04 +0000

Two weeks ago Mayor Jerry Sanders announced final plans for a new City Hall. He is proposing a new building on the adjacent site that is now Golden Hall and demolishing the current site, for a total cost of $294 million. Despite that price tag, it is being touted as the most cost-effective solution, one that is in the best interests of its citizenry and our fiscal circumstances.

Mostly, I believe that. I believe there is much merit in the recommendation to finally move forward and at this time on this project, although it is not a perfect solution. My reasoning is this:

A Problem of Historic Proportions

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:08:59 +0000

Even though Juan Cabrillo initiated western civilization in San Diego in 1542, the irony of San Diego is that it is perceived as a new City, at least in terms of its urban development. It is because of this that the City has become zealous about preserving the old. Indeed, in 2009 the City of San Diego revised and tightened its historic site rules, in an effort to not be witness to the destruction of old structures. The rules establish that all structures over 45 years of age be subject to historic scrutiny. The rules, which are based on guidelines from the Interior Department, are broad and discourage destruction or major redevelopment of sites deemed historical.

Reframing the Dream: Time for Building Industry to Move On

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:29:32 +0000

There was a very large conference held in San Francisco two weeks ago. Its attendees filled the hotels, swarmed The Moscone Center, lined up to eat in the restaurants, and frequented the downtown shopping district’s boutique retailers. San Francisco was packed with attendees of the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, dubbed “The Center of the App Universe,” from around the world who gathered to exchange ideas on making up software for your iPhone and iPad.

The London Group in the News

admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:48:09 +0000

Companies make pitches to fill vacant retail space (San Diego Union Tribune)
Plan to change hotel review process OK'd (San Diego Union Tribune)
College making name for itself (San Diego Union Tribune)
County Third in Office Leasing in 2009 (San Diego Union Tribune)
Housing: Defaults, foreclosures plummet in January (North County Times)

London Group Expert Witness Testimony Produces Favorable Outcomes In Two Federal Cases

admin — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:04:10 +0000

Recent Expert Witness Case: United States of America v. 32.42 acres of land The London Realty Advisors recently provided expert witness testimony, analysis and consultation on behalf of the United States Department of Justice in the [...]

Recent Project Profile

admin — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:16:59 +0000

Distressed 700- Unit Condominium Project Lender retained our firm to determine their strategic options to address a construction loan due on a recently completed 700-unit high rise condominium project with no sales. We identified the best [...]

Answer to Fiscal Woes Can Be Found Within Us

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:46:31 +0000

by Gary H. London We are now bouncing along the bottom of the economic cycle, worrying — as if it matters — whether the economy is now mired in a “double dip” recession or just continuing [...]