wordpress CMS theme

A Estrenar: Real Estate Boom in Villa Urquiza

On February 7, 2010, In foreign investment, real estate, by InvestBA
New construction projects in Villa Urquiza offer modern amenities & great views.

Many new construction projects in Villa Urquiza offer modern amenities & greater affordability.

When we reported last week on the 2009 summary statistics for units sold and under construction in the City of Buenos Aires, Palermo was singled out for it’s #1 ranking among neighborhoods in terms of projects under construction last year. Yet, according to Clarín, a closer look at the numbers throws a little cold water on the Palermopalooza and simultaneously spotlights a rising star among BA barrios: Villa Urquiza. The 18,700 sq. ft. under construction in Palermo last year represented a 42% drop compared to 2008; however, the 13,000 sq. ft. under construction in Villa Urquiza (VU) represented a 10% increase compared to 2008. Local real estate analysts attribute the VU boom to good location (inside Capital Federal and adjacent to the General Paz Highway), availability of vacant lots, improving infrastructure (the Subway’s B Line will soon add two new stations in Villa Urquiza) and greater affordability. A quick look at new construction listings in VU reveals ample 2 and 3-room apartment inventory priced below $100,000. Finally, the recent price trajectory in the neighborhood has definitely been up: Prices for new construction in VU have more than doubled from $65/SF in 2003 to $149/SF last year. For more information on real estate opportunities in Villa Urquiza or other neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, please send your inquiry to re@investba.com.

1 Comments
Leave A Response

Tagged with: • • • • • • •
 

A Few Good Men (& Chevys) To Protect BA

On February 5, 2010, In buenos aires events, competitiveness, by InvestBA
Just two of the new officers, Chevys & Hondas that hit the streets of BA this morning.

500 new police officers, Chevy Merivas & Honda motorcycles hit the streets of BA this morning.

The new International Living Quality of Life Index covered yesterday gave Argentina high marks for “Risk & Safety;” yet security—or the lack thereof in many lower and middle class neighborhoods—remains the most important and troubling issue for many porteños. That’s why today’s introduction of the Metropolitan Police Force is being applauded throughout many corners of Buenos Aires.  According to Clarín, 500 trained officers will hit the streets and initially serve a supporting role to the Federal Police who have long held jurisdiction. In addition to taking on additional duties in the coming months, Police Chief Eugenio Burazco says the MPF ranks will grow to 1,400 officers by May and over 10,000 officers by 2016. In addition to being armed, the new officers will be patrolling the streets of Buenos Aires in style with a fleet of 50 new Chevrolet Meriva patrol cars painted with a distinctive black-and-white checkerboard pattern. Years in the making and highly politicized by opposition parties, the acceptance and perceived effectiveness of a Metropolitan Police Force will have serious implications for 2011 candidates like BA Mayor Mauricio Macri. On his facebook page, Macri describes today as an historic day designed to restore the “tranquilidad de la gente.” (the calm of the people.)

0 Comments
Leave A Response

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • •
 

BA Grocery Sector Attracts Foreign Investment

On January 20, 2010, In foreign investment, franchises, by InvestBA
Eki, which operates 150 stores in Buenos Aires and Santa Fe, is buying local competitor Leader Price. Eki, which operates 150 stores in Buenos Aires and Santa Fe, is buying local competitor Leader Price.  

Business headlines this week in the Latin American supermarket space present a sharp contrast in the stability and predictability of investing in certain countries. France’s Groupe Casino operates supermarket chains in both Argentina and Venezuela under the banners Leader Price, Libertad, HiperCasa (in Argentina), Cada and Exito (in Venezuela). When Hugo Chavez devalued Venezuela’’s bolivar 50% last week, he vowed stiff penalties for any retailers suspected of raising prices. Unfortunately for Groupe Casino, “El Loco” made good on his threats yesterday by taking control of the Exito chain which can only be viewed as the first step toward nationalization. Reuters reports the stores will now operate under the banner Comerso. Meanwhile in Argentina, local supermarket chain Eki—which is 90% controlled by U.S. investment firm Nexus Partners—announced it will purchase Groupe Casino’s chain of 26 Leader Price grocery stores in Buenos Aires. The move by Nexus Partners is solid for two reasons: 1.) It’s a unique opportunity to grow market share when a large competitor is dealing with serious problems in Caracas, and 2.) Supermarkets in Argentina have weathered the financial crisis beautifully. Sales in the “supers” increased every month in 2009 (vs. 2008), according to Clarin, and prices stayed virtually unchanged. INDEC, The National Institute of Statistics and Census provides a detailed analysis of the continued growth and stability in this important sector of Argentina’s economy.

0 Comments
Leave A Response

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • •
 

Surf’s Up: City Government Brings The Beach to BA

On January 14, 2010, In buenos aires events, tourism, by InvestBA
The 3 Playas Porteñas were such a hit in 2009, the City opened several more for 2010.

Besides providing relief from the heat, the 3 Playas Porteñas have been a great exercise in public trust.

Even though it’s summertime and thousands of Buenos Aires residents have made their annual exodus to the beaches of Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, surveys suggest 70% of porteños have neither the time nor the resources for such a vacation. In 2009, the Government of the City of Buenos Aires took a novel approach and decided if residents couldn’t go the beach, the City would bring the beach to them. The “Playas Porteñas” debuted last summer and almost 300,000 residents took advantage of the urban beaches complete with sand, volleyball courts, soccer fields, cooling stations and the signature yellow umbrellas and chairs. The Buenos Aires coastline had popular beaches a century ago, but years of pollution and water contamination have rendered the Río de la Plata unfit for swimming. The 3 Playas Porteñas were such a hit last year, several more were added for the 2010 Season. According to Clarín, the beaches have been a good exercise in public trust: the neighbors, thankful for the opportunity to relax and cool off with their families, took pride in the Playas and kept them clean, orderly and free of vandalism to the umbrellas and chairs. So A.) if you’re in Buenos Aires and B.) you’re burning up, the beaches will be open daily now through February 28. (YouTube video)

1 Comments
Leave A Response

Tagged with: • • • • • •
 

BA Valley: Tech District Ready for Liftoff in 2010

On December 21, 2009, In entrepreneurs, foreign investment, technology, by InvestBA

Young Argentines working in one of the offices in the Buenos Aires Tech District.

Young Argentines working in one of the offices in the new Buenos Aires Tech District.

WiFi connectivity, generous tax breaks, grants to cover the cost of quality certification, preferred lines of credit at local banks, and a government-sponsored training program to groom future talent. It may sound like a Christmas wish list, but it’s an emerging high tech reality in the Parque Patricios neighborhood thanks to the City of Buenos Aires. And according to Cronista, the list of goodies is attracting large multinationals and small start-ups alike. Iron Mountain and Clarín Global have both reserved office space, while India’s Tata Consultancy Services announced a new Global Delivery Center back in September. Cronista says small and medium-sized businesses (in Argentina, PYMEs or Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas) make up the majority of Argentina’s 1,600 tech companies, and 70% of those companies are located in Buenos Aires. Carlos Pirovano, Subsecretary of Investment for the City, says the number of companies working in the Distrito Tecnologico will more than double in 2010 to 50 with over 10,000 employees, so the City is investing in everything from a new fiber optic network to new subway stations to accommodate the growing talent pool. Another important development will be the launch of the Metropolitan Tech Center, an initiative to connect with secondary school students and groom the next generation of IT talent here in BA. (Full Cronista article).

1 Comments
Leave A Response

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • • • •
 
Previous Entries
 
© 2010 InvestBA, S.A.