If you are considering moving to mainland Europe, the first places you might consider are the likes of France and Spain. Both of these countries are hot and sunny throughout the year and have a nice gentle way of life. Maybe you would think further afield to Italy, or opt for Portugal instead. However, it is unlikely that you would consider Germany. Germany is rarely discussed when it comes to moving abroad or property development. This is the main reason why it could be a good idea to explore developments and property investment opportunities there.

Germany’s off plan property developments are largely untapped by people living outside the country and can be bought for far cheaper than the equivalent in Spain, France and Italy. In fact, it is possible to buy a studio or apartment in Germany for approximately £75,000, depending on the exchange rate. The value for money is fantastic given the prime locations of many of the new property developments there. German developers tend to make sure that the new builds are as appealing as possible to individuals looking to invest and often handpick the land they build on.

One development in particular may just interest you!

Adlershof, Berlin

The Adlershof development in Berlin is just beginning to go up, having passed the planning stage, and the models look absolutely amazing! They combine practicality with a degree of luxury that is not usually associated with living in Germany, but should be as of now!

Adlershof is located on a science retail park right next door to one of the best universities in Berlin. The transport links to the area are excellent with the Brandenberg airport being located just 6 miles away and the existing road links to the university being well established. With an easy way of getting in and out of the area, Adlershof is perfectly located for property investment opportunities.

The studio flats and apartments themselves are magnificent. There are 183 apartments and studios so the development is not big enough to put anyone off. Instead, the building has been planned with communal terraces to promote a community feel. When this is combined with its proximity to the university, it is easy to guess that the planners had adult academics in mind and you would be forgiven for thinking that this project would turn into a student dorm. However, a five-year rental asset management programme is in place to keep the apartments and studios as exclusive as possible!

The studio flats and apartments may be just what you are looking for, whether you plan to buy to let or use the property yourself. The huge windows in every apartment make the living areas light and airy and all lead onto a private balcony. Although they look out over the university, escaping to the landscaped gardens on the roof can give you everything you need in the way of a beautiful view!

All in all, Adlershof in Berlin is a great new development that could potentially provide an excellent investment for you, whether you are to use it privately or rent it out.

If you are having a hard time believing me, then take a look for yourself!

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The number of IT parks across India is increasing day by day, but Technopark Kerala continues to expand and lead as a leading IT park in India after over a decade of operation. Launched in 1990, Technopark located at Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, started its operations in 1995. In 2007, with the opening of its ‘Tejaswini’ building, comprising of 850,000 square feet, Technopark was promoted to the status of single largest (in terms of area) IT park in India. Technopark Kerala also has the credit for the highest rate of IT exports (70%).

Technopark Campus - Phase I, home to IT/ITES companies from the U.S, Europe, India and elsewhere

Spread across 300 acres of land, Technopark has a space of 3.5 million square feet for over 140 companies functioning from the campus. The companies functioning here include CMM Level 5, CMM Level 3 and several ISO 9001 certified companies. Several global majors including Infosys, TCS, Ernst & Young, Tata Elxsi and Mc Kinsey function from the Technopark campus in Thiruvananthapuram. Technopark has buildings named Nila, Bhavani, Gayatri, Chandragiri, Pampa, Periyar and Tejaswini apart from the buildings owned by IT companies.

During Technopark’s first year 1994-95, there were only five companies employing 5,000 professionals and occupying with 70,963 square feet. The growth rate has since multiplied in little over a decade to 17,000.

When the construction of another 1.20 million square feet is complete, an additional 15, 000 professionals will join the Technopark campus, bringing the total workforce in the IT Park to around 32,000.

Expansion on roll at Technopark - Phase II & III

In the second construction phase at Technopark Kerala, 50 acres are allotted to Infosys and 36 acres to UST Global. Infosys’s proposed 2.5 million square feet of office space will accommodate 15,000 professionals.

UST Global is creating a 1,600,000 square foot campus, scheduled to be completed by 2011; of which 600,000 square feet will be completed within a year. The first phase of UST Global will accommodate 5,000 professionals; the second and third phases will have a seating capacity to accommodate 3,000 and 2,000 professionals respectively.

The land acquisition for the third phase comprising of 100 acres land is close to completion and Larsen & Turbo and Rahejas are planning major property developments within and around Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram.

With the completion of the second phase and third phase, total employment is expected to be 35,000.

Technocity - Phase IV of Technopark Campus

Known as the 4^th phase of Technopark Kerala is Technocity, a 500-acre campus, four kilometers away from Technopark. The proposed full-fledged township will accommodate IT/ITES, biotechnology and nanotechnology industrial units.

M.Vasudevan, Senior Manager of Business Development at Technopark Kerala points out that Technocity will function as a knowledge base, which will house multiplex, commercial space and residential apartments, educational institutions, banking facilities.

Technocity will open employment opportunities for around 200,000 people. As per current estimates, the expected investment is close to Indian Rupees 6,000 Crores (Over US$ 1.5 billion). Completion of land acquisition of Technocity will bring Technopark Kerala to a total of over 850 acres, turning the IT Park into one of India’s largest IT satellite townships.

The factors that make Technopark Kerala stay in the lead

Multiple factors contribute to the reason for Technopark’s success story. In a recent survey, Thiruvananthapuram was rated as the best 2^nd tier metro with IT/ITES infrastructure in India. And the city is second in terms of availability of human talent.

Close proximity to several colleges including both engineering and non-engineering colleges makes Technopark Kerala a strategic location to set up business and thereby recruit employees from nearby localities. And Kerala’s 100% literacy rate adds even more value! What’s more, Technopark is also referred to as the greenest IT park in India.

Entrepreneur Kenney Jacob, Co-founder, Torque (functioning from Technopark)/ MobME, cites, Quiet working environment, very cooperative officials, easy access to airport and close proximity to National Highway 47, rich talent pool, low costs (compared to cities like Kochi and Bangalore) as the main reasons to why one should chose Technopark Kerala for setting up business.

Witnessing the growth Technopark has seen over the years one has to agree that this is definitely one of the best IT parks in India. And the ongoing and upcoming developments in the various phases of Technopark are a goldmine of opportunities for those looking for a sound property investment in India.

Technorati Tags: Technopark Kerala, Technopark Thiruvananthapuram, Technopark Trivandrum, India real estate, India property, real estate, real-estate, off plan property, off plan, property investment, real estate investment