RESEARCH • January 2025
Shed, Strike, and Scale:
Musings in the Year of the Snake
Shaowei Toh explores adjacent themes of transformation, adaptability, and renewal, all traits associated with the Snake.
The paper explores the Snakes symbolism, cultural and historical significance, and its relevance to real estate markets. We explore themes of transformation, wisdom, and strategy—all traits associated with the Snake in Chinese tradition and those investors would do well to take head of in the year ahead.
Highlights:
Snakes have a negative reputation in history and literature, often symbolising treachery and misfortune.
Years marked by the Chinese zodiac's Snake have coincided with significant global events.
In Chinese astrology, the Year of the Snake symbolises transformation, renewal, and growth.
In Chinese culture, the snake is celebrated as a "little dragon" and symbolises wisdom, agility, and adaptability.
The Year of the Snake is relevant for commercial real estate, emphasising themes of transformation and adaptability.
Central banks are easing monetary policies, which could unlock market recalibration and increase transactional activity.
Europe and Asia-Pacific present unique investment opportunities, with a focus on core assets and structured recapitalisation.
The residential sector remains resilient, with strong rental growth driven by urbanisation and demographic shifts.
Demand for logistics space is surging due to e-commerce growth and supply chain efficiency.
