Henley Investment Management has been featured in the latest issue of Institutional Real Estate Europe, which explores how niche real estate sectors are gaining mainstream momentum.
The article, titled “The Next Big Thing: When Niche Sectors Go Mainstream”, tracks the evolution of once-alternative asset classes, like student housing and logistics, into core institutional allocations and examines which sectors might follow next.
Among the emerging sectors spotlighted is Henley’s innovative move into express tunnel car washes, led by CEO Ian Rickwood.
”We see car washes as the next self-storage. The market has already attracted capital from corporate buyout private equity, such as KKR and Blackstone. However, we also see an opportunity for the private equity groups to follow suit in the near future, given the relatively low operational aspects of the business.
The article highlights Henley’s strategy of using advanced technology to guide its expansion:
”AI allows us to analyse bulk data more efficiently, run detailed algorithms for volume projections, and pinpoint high-potential sites for expansion. Getting the right real estate is a key to success for this business.
Henley’s approach represents a growing trend among institutional investors looking to reposition their portfolios toward resilient, inflation-hedging assets. While traditional sectors like office and retail face ongoing structural shifts, new alternatives such as car washes are beginning to show strong potential for long-term returns.
20th March 2025
Read the original full article at IREI.
