Real Estate After the Pandemic

At the end of 2019, I was offered the opportunity to take part in the divestment of the biggest asset in Skanska history: 2+U in Seattle, US (over 65,000 sqm). Previously, thanks to working for the global Skanska Group I already had a chance to work on divestments in London, UK and Helsinki, Finland but this time I was invited to share my divestment experience with our American colleagues. Before the trip to Seattle, I spoke to one of my colleagues from Microsoft who was there just two weeks earlier. He said that travelling was no different than before.

Indeed, Seattle seemed safe at that time with only a few COVID cases and life and business were going on as usual. The Public Market Centre was packed and fish mongers were showing off their fish to attract customers. There was a line outside the Amazon Spheres visitor centre. I have been there almost a week with my Skanska colleagues, we have spent this time mostly on interviews with brokers to represent us in this deal. Personally, I was shocked at how quickly I connected with the local Skanska team, their amazing culture of inclusiveness and great experience. Many thanks to…