Qatar is buying up London’s iconic properties

Qatar recently purchased three landmark London hotels – Claridge’s, the Connaught, and the Berkeley – for about $2.4 billion. But those aren’t the only iconic properties the Gulf emirate owns in London. Here is a look some of its most prominent holdings in the city via Buzzfeed.

Commercial holdings

Among Qatar’s holdings in London is the Shard – the city’s tallest skyscraper. In fact, the Qatar Investment Authority — Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund — owns 95 percent of the tower.

In January, the QIA picked up the entire Canary Wharf financial district, which includes One Canada Square tower for roughly $3.9 billion. At the time, the fund already owned around 10 percent in the London Stock Exchange.

The QIA has also dabbled in London’s high-end retail market. Back in 2010, the London department store Harrods sold to the QIA for a about $2.2 billion, according to Buzzfeed.

Residential holdings

One Hyde Park

Qatar has also made some major plays in London’s red-hot residential market. Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, the former Qatari prime minister, currently owns about half of One Hyde Park, which is often called “world’s most expensive apartment block.”

Finally, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, one of the wives of former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has purchased three Regent’s Park homes for roughly $182 million. The massive homes are now being converted into one massive property valued at about $300 million. [Buzzfeed] – Christopher Cameron