What was The Buzz in February?
Our monthly roundup of real estate industry news.
From big build-to-rent investment to the continued evolution of the office, February showed that the UK real estate sector is anything but quiet. Here’s what caught our attention.
Build-to-rent investment surges with major London deal
Confidence in the UK’s rental market continues to grow. US developer Greystar is reportedly close to securing a £500m deal for around 900 build-to-rent homes in Elephant & Castle, one of London’s largest planned rental schemes.
The move highlights the continued demand for high-quality rental housing in major cities and the ongoing interest from international investors in the UK living sector. As affordability pressures persist and rental demand rises, build-to-rent developments are increasingly seen as a stable long-term investment opportunity.
Commercial property investment shows resilience
Despite economic uncertainty, the UK commercial property market continues to demonstrate resilience. Investment volumes reached around £53bn in 2025, with momentum carrying into the early months of 2026.
Logistics and well-located office space remain key areas of focus for investors, reflecting structural changes in how businesses operate and where occupiers see long-term value. The figures underline that while the market is evolving, confidence in UK real estate fundamentals remains strong.
Office attendance rebounds across the UK
Office life is continuing to rebound. Average workplace attendance across the UK has now climbed above 40% during the working week, the highest level since before the pandemic.
While hybrid working is firmly established, the increase in attendance is prompting occupiers to rethink their workspaces. Many are investing in higher-quality environments, amenities and flexible layouts designed to make the office a more attractive destination for employees.
Refurbishment takes centre stage in office development
Refurbishment is becoming the dominant strategy for many UK office developers. Rather than building entirely new schemes, more projects are focusing on upgrading existing buildings to meet modern sustainability and performance standards.
Rising construction costs and stricter environmental requirements are accelerating this trend, particularly in major cities where improving existing stock can be faster and more cost-effective than starting from scratch.
Image header courtesy of FT © In Pictures via Getty Images
