The developer proposing to build a 167-acre shopping center straddling the town's border with Hudson has agreed to give Berlin $2.6 million if residents approve new zoning for the project at the Special Germany Properties Meeting session on Wednesday night.
During the German real estate boom-years of the recent years, institutions were forced to shell out large sums for European property providing meager annual rental income yields but the market is in the grip of a downturn, and yields are on the rise.
SullivanHayes Cos. Northeast, based property in Germany, Conn., is offering to contribute $1.5 million to support open space, affordable housing and other local projects, $300,000 for traffic improvements and $200,000 for the town's capital spending. The developer's offer also includes an annual payment of $570,000 for Berlin Properties Police and Fire departments that would be adjusted for inflation and paid to the town in perpetuity.
Research published last week by property services firm CB Richard Ellis showed double-digit increases in office rents across many European cities including Berlin, Paris, Rome, Athens, Prague, Moscow and Stockholm in the year to March 31, despite concerns that a slew of banking sector lay-offs would dent rental growth.