The Great British Bake Off... or Buy Out? How Much of London Does Saudi Arabia Own?
Ever craved a cuppa and a corgi cuddle while strolling down a street paved with, well, not exactly gold, but maybe a hefty chunk of Saudi Arabian riyals? You might not be far off!
The Royal Real Estate Roundup
Fear not, fellow Anglophiles, Big Ben still chimes and the Queen still reigns supreme (although corgi cuddles are a maybe). But there has been a bit of a property boom with a Middle Eastern twist. Saudi Arabia, through its Public Investment Fund (PIF, basically their super rich piggy bank), has been on a bit of a spending spree in London. Think fancy flats, iconic landmarks, and maybe even a secret stash of scones (raisin or no raisin, that's the real question).
Heathrow Airport: PIF recently partnered with a French firm to snatch up a whopping 38% stake in Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in the world. So, next time you get stuck in a queue for duty-free Toblerone, you might be thanking (or maybe mildly grumbling at) the Saudi royals for the shiny new terminal.
Prime London Property: PIF has also been busy scooping up posh addresses like a real-life Monopoly champion. We're talking swanky office buildings and high-end apartments. So, if you ever find yourself sipping tea with the Queen (unlikely, but hey, dreams are free) you might be overlooking a flat owned by a Saudi sheikh.
But Wait, There's More!
Now, before you envision the entire city painted in desert hues and camels replacing the iconic red buses, let's relax. While Saudi Arabia has been a busy buyer, they definitely don't own London. It's more like a particularly enthusiastic house guest who keeps bringing (and buying) expensive housewarming gifts.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered (with a Pinch of Sarcasm)
How to invest in London like a Saudi sheikh? Good one! Step 1: Have a Scrooge McDuck money bin overflowing with riyals. Step 2: Hire a team of top-notch real estate agents. Step 3: Maybe learn a bit of posh English for negotiating?
How to avoid accidentally buying a flat owned by the Saudi royal family? Unless you have a secret decoder ring for deciphering property deeds, this might be tricky. But hey, if your new neighbor offers you a ride on their private jet, that's a good clue.
How to convince the Queen to serve scones with clotted cream (the only proper way)? This one's a long shot, but persistence (and maybe a lifetime supply of Fortnum & Mason tea) might work.
How to get a job working for the PIF's London property portfolio? Brush up on your resume and be prepared to answer some interesting interview questions, like "Can you explain the difference between a crumpet and a muffin?"
How to (calmly) explain to your grandma that London isn't about to be turned into a giant desert resort? Patience, my friend, patience. Maybe offer to bake her a batch of scones (raisin or no raisin, you decide).
