Latest news with #JohnMoran
Irish Independent
04-08-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Warehouse deals lead a property recovery
The recovery in the value of Irish retail warehouse properties got a major boost in the second quarter of this year following recent big deals. However capital values of all other retail sectors continued to stagnate. These are among the findings of the authoritative MSCI/ SCSI index which monitors the performance of Irish commercial investment property. Retail warehouse values rose 3.1pc in the second quarter lifting capital values by 3.7pc off the trough it reached in the corresponding quarter of 2024. This recovery was partly due to a 7.8pc rise in rents in this sector during the quarter and also due to US investor Realty Income Corporation becoming a major player in this market this year. It spent €343.5m buying two portfolios with a combined 11 retail parks including Belgard Retail Park in Tallaght, Dublin 24; Gateway Retail Park, Galway; Parkway Retail Park in Limerick; M1 Retail Park in Drogheda, Co Louth; and Poppyfield Retail Park in Clonmel, Co Tipperary. In contrast, capital values for shopping centres continued to slip, down 0.4pc in the quarter and 1.3pc over the 12 months, while shopping centre rents were unchanged in the quarter. Rents on Dublin's two main shopping streets, Grafton St and Henry St, stabilised in the quarter, both up 0.7pc. But the capital values of these properties stagnated with 0.6pc and 0.8pc dips respectively, despite signs that Irish investors still have a liking for some of these trophy properties. Values for all offices built before 2010 continued to slip but those built since then remained stable with 0.7pc growth. Office rents overall stabilised with a 0.5pc improvement. A spokesperson for MSCI said investment in Dublin contracted during the first six months of 2025 by 63pc from a year earlier, causing the city to slide into 22nd place in a ranking of the top European investment destinations. That is a drop from 14th position at the end of December 2024. Meanwhile, a separate but smaller-scale index from agents JLL, based on a €608m mixed-use property portfolio, reports a 2.5pc increase in Q2 returns for investors bringing the 12-month increase to 7.6pc. JLL Ireland chief executive John Moran said: 'This marks the fifth consecutive quarter of positive growth (in returns) continuing the positive trajectory established in 2024. The data confirms that the real estate market recovery is gaining momentum, solidifying a new growth phase in the property cycle.' With JLL's industrial property capital values also increasing by 3.4pc in Q2 and 7.8pc over the 12 months, the agent points out that overall capital values grew for the third consecutive quarter and are now up 1.4pc year-on-year. His colleague, Niall Gargan, says this growth in overall capital values represents a turnaround from the previous declining trend, which reached a low point in Q3 2023 after having fallen 16.1pc. Commenting on the strength of the industrial properties, he said 'strength can be attributed to continued supply constraints, strong occupier demand, and sustained rental growth, with industrial ERVs (rents) up 9.4pc year-on-year'. JLL's index also includes residential complexes and it shows some signs of improvement with 1.2pc growth over the first half of this year bringing 12-month growth to 0.5pc. Nevertheless, that growth is much slower than values for individual apartments. According to the Geowox Housing Market Report, apartment prices grew by 6.7 pc year-on-year in Q2 2025.
CTV News
31-07-2025
- CTV News
Woman killed in North York hit-and-run identified by husband
Lillian Marlene Nagy, 64, is seen in this undated image. (Supplied) As the search continues for the driver involved in a deadly hit-and-run in North York Wednesday night, the woman killed in the crash has been identified by her husband. John Moran said he and his wife, Lillian Marlene Nagy, were leaving a friend's house on their e-scooters near Sheppared Avenue West and Bathurst Street, at approximately 9 p.m. As Nagy crossed the intersection of Goddard Street and Codsell Avenue, Moran said she was struck. Nagy, 64, was pronounced dead at the scene. A small white sedan was spotted leaving the scene, but has not yet been located. Kristine Suarez lives in the area and described the scene in an interview with CTV News Toronto. 'It was horrible to see because she flew very far from where she was hit so definitely it was more than 40 or 50 km/h. But this is a quiet neighbourhood, at least drive 20 to 30 km/h,' she said. Nagy and Moran both worked for the Toronto District School Board and only recently retired after 30 years. The couple owns a home in the Malindi, Kenya where they had been helping children in the village for 20 years.
News.com.au
17-06-2025
- News.com.au
Suspicious Geelong West fire triggers rare vacant block sale
A Geelong West property ravaged by a suspicious fire is looking for a fresh start a year on from the blaze. The three-bedroom weatherboard house that formerly occupied 20 Clarence St sustained significant damage when it was engulfed by flames last May and has since been demolished. Now the 418sq m parcel of vacant land has been listed for sale with $675,000-$725,000 price hopes. Geelong's $9m 'best home' to break record A police investigation into the blaze, which long-term resident Avril Leishman escaped unharmed, remains ongoing. 'The fire is still being treated as suspicious, and the exact cause is under investigation,' a Victoria Police spokeswoman said. The destruction of the house creates a rare blank canvas in a premium Geelong West position just a few doors down from Pakington St's shopping and cafe strip. Whitford, Newtown director John Moran said he'd already had an offer on the property and several other inquiries within days of it hitting the market. 'In terms of a block that close to Pakington St I went back the last few years and I can't find anything that has been vacant land in that proximity so it's a pretty rare offering,' he said. 'Obviously it is an unfortunate situation with the fire but with the heritage overlay you would not have been able to pull the house down so every cloud has a silver lining.' The front section of the character house that once stood at the property was burnt beyond salvation. Mr Moran said the fact it had been demolished created a freedom not usually found in the heritage neighbourhood. He expects a stand-alone dwelling to be constructed there. 'With this one you can just go for it,' he said. Only a handful of vacant blocks have been listed for sale in Geelong West in recent times, with only one changing hands last year.
News.com.au
16-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
How a luxe makeover added $1.5m to Newtown home
The luxury renovation of a character house in central Newtown has been rewarded with a sale price close to $2.5m. The five-bedroom house at 17 Austin St had been sitting untouched for decades before the owners snapped it up almost five years ago. The kitchen and wallpaper appeared straight out of the 1950s in the period facade complete with a return veranda and feature turret. Geelong's $9m 'best home' on track to break record A contemporary rear extension that added new living spaces, a swimming pool and a top-to-bottom renovation worked with the fall of the block to create a fresh five-bedroom residence. Whitford, Newtown agent John Moran said the ' beautiful renovation ' was a key attraction during the campaign that ended last week when the buyers posted their best offer. 'It's an amazing house. A beautiful reno, a big family home, the pool and the landscaping,' he said. The location was also a drawcard, offering proximity to Newtown's main shopping strip on Pakington St, along with local primary and secondary schools being close by. The renovation added more than $1.5m to the value of the property. Mr Moran said despite the renovation, the house remains understated from the street. The five-bedroom, two-bathroom residence is essentially a new home that offers a beautiful blend of old and new, he said. As a result, it's well hidden from view behind a charming original weatherboard facade that remains largely unchanged. All the heritage signatures are still there in the bedrooms and front formal lounge (or potential fifth bedroom), from high ceilings and skirts to picture rails and open fireplaces. Built-in wardrobes have been added, including a his and her set in the spacious main bedroom, along with a modern ensuite, family bathroom and powder room. A clever courtyard and a high wall of glazing that rises up to meet a raked timber-lined ceiling that mirrors the finish of those found in the original rooms creates a sunny living area, even though it's a south-facing yard. The large sliding doors topped with extra windows bathe the open-plan hub in natural light and connect it to the pool, lawn, a paved entertainment area and a built-in barbecue. A designer kitchen, featuring stone benchtop, a butler's pantry with a second sink and family-sized oven, is the centrepiece of the dining and living area. It adjoins a sunroom, or flexible additional multipurpose room, with its own sliding doors onto the patio and internal access to the property's garage.
Irish Independent
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Limerick Mayor to shut down busy city streets to traffic for music, dancing, and fun this summer
Today at 11:52 Limerick city streets are set to close to cars as Mayor John Moran launches 'August Animations', a month-long initiative inviting residents, businesses, and community groups to reimagine and reclaim public spaces across the city. Key city centre locations, including The Crescent on O'Connell Street and Honan's Quay, will be pedestrianised for the entire month of August, giving residents, performers, and local groups the chance to reclaim the streets for public use. Baker Place and John's Square will also be available every Sunday in August for events and activities. From live music and dance to sports competitions, pop-up picnics, and quirky ideas like belly dancing battles or ping pong playoffs, all are welcome. The Mayor's Fund is footing the bill for the street closures and offering stipends of up to €2,000 to cover costs for groups and performers. Bronze, Silver, and Gold tier grants are available, and organisers are encouraged to apply early. Mayor Moran said the programme builds on the success of last year's summer activations: 'When we open up our public spaces, people respond. 'Let's turn a quiet month into something fun and vibrant. It doesn't need to be complicated, grab a chair, enjoy a book or a takeaway outdoors, maybe even under the watchful eye of Daniel O'Connell, whose 250th birthday we mark this August.' To get involved, individuals and groups should email festivalsandevents@ with their idea, space request, dates, and any need for financial support. Confirmed events will be listed on as part of the city's 'What's On' guide throughout August. Related topics Jasmin Griffin
