* Morgan Stanley is planning to buy a mall in Russia that is being sold by Stockmann Oyj ABP, Reuters reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter. The sources also told the news outlet that following Russian real estate investor Malltech backing out from the sale, the financial institution has become the sole bidder for the property worth €181 million.
Reuters' sources also said the Nevsky Center property could be sold for €160 million to €180 million.
* Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and two hedge funds have been sent a pre-action letter in relation to Vincent Tchenguiz's plan to sue the hotel company over 10 hotel sites in the U.K., The (U.K.) Times reported.
The property mogul acquired and leased back the hotels to Hilton in 2002, but the properties were placed on the market in 2017 for about £600 million. However, because Tchenguiz failed to find a buyer, the hotels were put into administration. Tchenguiz alleges in the planned lawsuit that Hilton interfered with the sales process to get a discount when it buys the properties, City A.M. added.
The Netherlands
* Wereldhave NV CFO Robert Bolier is leaving the company April 20 to pursue other business interests. Board of management member Dennis de Vreede is proposed to replace Bolier for a four-year term.
UK and Ireland
* CBRE Global Investment Partners-backed Curlew Capital sold a student living portfolio for £520 million, £80 million lower than its original asking price. The portfolio comprises properties across 12 cities in the U.K.
* Warehouse REIT plc signed an agreement to buy a 51-asset portfolio of multi-let urban warehouse properties from Hansteen Holdings Plc for £116 million through a sale and purchase of certain subsidiaries of Industrial Multi Property Trust Ltd.
The properties, primarily in the U.K., comprise more than 500 leasable units covering approximately 1.65 million square feet of floor area.
* Savills has been appointed as adviser for the sale of EAST Lifestyle Ltd.'s portfolio of retail assets. Savills and the joint administrators will work together to find a buyer for the fashion retailer's 32 stores in the U.K.
* Facebook Inc. is nearing a contract for a new headquarters in the U.K., The Times reported. It is believed that the social media company will take four buildings at a property majority owned by AustralianSuper in King's Cross, London.
* Mayor of London Sadiq Khan issued new guidelines over estate regeneration in the U.K. capital. Aside from projects only getting government funding support if residents approve a proposed regeneration scheme, the new rules also aim to leave more room for affordable homes.
* According to a British Property Federation survey, investor confidence in the U.K. real estate sector has stabilized, with more activities expected in 2018 than 2017, CoStar U.K. reported. Surveyed property leaders also expect to spend more in the Greater London area.
* Property consultant HWBC said Ireland's office market is still "a landlords' market" and new office space construction is increasing in Dublin, The Irish Times reported. The publication noted that HWBC's findings disprove businessman Denis O'Brien's claim that the market is in bubble territory.
* In Scotland, data from Construction Industry Training Board showed that there are early signs that the construction sector is weakening. The board, however, forecasts that the housing sector will reach record growth in the 2018-to-2022 period, The Times reported.
Spain
* Redevco and Ares Management LP's joint venture acquired a more than 70% stake in the gross leasable area of the Parque Corredor Shopping Center in Madrid for about €140 million.
Germany
* Obotritia Capital bought two office properties from Warburg-HIH Invest Real Estate for an undisclosed price. One of the buildings in the town of Ratingen is the German headquarters of French company Schneider Electric, Europe Real Estate reported.
* Fund manager Aerium agreed to buy for €140 million the office-led BBW mixed-use complex in Frankfurt.
Middle East
* Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum passed a new law that regulates the sale of lands and properties that were granted in the United Arab Emirates, Arabian Business reported. The Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment decree attaches certain conditions to the sale of properties granted to beneficiaries, and it also covers the sale of inherited property, trading properties, purchasing adjacent government-owned property and renting a house built on granted land.
Tech investors provide reprieve for debt-strapped Wanda Group
Major UK landlords urge government action on failing town centers
The Daily Dose Europe, Real Estate edition, is updated as of 6:30 a.m. London time. Some links require a subscription. Articles and links are correct as of publication time.
Anusha Iyer contributed to this report.
