News roundup: Turkey’s dystopian ‘Disneyland’ ghost town, Burj Al Babas, and other stories

For PropertyGuru’s news roundup, the strange story behind the Burj Al Babas project, Turkey’s castle ghost town. In more headlines, demand for industrial land within the Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct has driven a new record in an off-market deal in Australia. Lastly, increased interest in private partners has boosted the Philippines’ 4PH housing program.

Dystopian Disneyland: The story behind Turkey’s castle ghost town

Most of us have probably imagined living in a castle at some point, whether during childhood, enchanted by fairy tales, or as adults studying European monarchies. Considering this fascination, what would you think if you had the chance to buy your castle?

In mid-2014, you could make that dream a reality in Turkey for just USD370,000. Each luxurious 325-square-meter castle came complete with blue turrets and spiral staircases. The only catch? Your castle would be one of 731 identical ones. But who cares about exclusivity when you have the chance to live in a Disney fairy tale?

ArchDaily presents the strange story behind the Burj Al Babas project, launched in 2014 in the Turkish town of Mudurnu.

Record sale for a vacant serviced lot as industry drives demand along Geelong Ring Road in Australia

Demand for industrial land within the Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct has driven a new record in an off-market deal within the northern suburbs development zone.

Colliers agent Chris Nanni managed the campaign to sell the 4ha site at 148-158 O’Briens Rd for more than AUD16 million.

The last vacant Industrial 1 zoned serviced lot in the commercial precinct transacted for over AUD410 per square metre, a record rate for similar parcels of land, Mr. Nanni said in realcommercial.com.au.

The site features 40,058sq m of industrial-zone land, with highway frontage and is strategically located among some of the area’s largest industrial users such as Timbertruss, Riordan Grain, Thornton Engineering, Richie Bros, Hanlon, PFD Foods, Bidfood and OneSteel.

Growing interest of private partners shifts 4PH rollout to high gear in the Philippines

The increasing interest of private partners, particularly contractors and developers, has shifted to high gear the nationwide rollout of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.

With the participation of more private partners, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said more 4PH projects will be launched soon.

About 40 projects, mostly composed of high-rise condominium-type buildings, are currently in various stages of development and construction throughout the country.

“Ngayong dumadami na ang ating private partners, tiwala ako na tuluy-tuloy na ang ating mga proyekto at lalong dadami pa (Now that our private partners are increasing, I am confident that our projects will continue and will increase even more),” Acuzar said in PNA on 16th June.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].