Property Investment, development and management

What We Do

Peer Group is a private limited company specialising in commercial and residential real estate. It owns and manages a wide-ranging portfolio in the office, retail, industrial and residential sectors.

Operating under the Chairmanship of Martin Birrane, during the last four decades, has built a portfolio of UK property which it manages in-house.

The Group’s strategy is to secure growth through the considered asset management of the existing portfolio and the acquisition of carefully chosen investment and development opportunities.

History

Peer Group plc was incorporated in 1976.

In 1983 Martin Birrane became Chairman of the Group. At the time the property portfolio was valued at just £2 Million.

The arrival of Martin Birrane heralded the start of a series of acquisitions including The Hop Exchange, one of the most historically significant commercial buildings in Southwark. Following the purchase the building it was carefully restored to its former glory and transformed from a repository to the iconic business centre it is today.

Using astute understanding of local markets and asset management expertise, Peer Group has pursued an investment policy of securing value-enhancing opportunities. The portfolio today exceeds 35 buildings, 350 tenants and generates a value in excess of £200 Million.

Martin Birrane (Chairman 1983 – 2018)

Sadly June 2018 saw the passing of Peer Group’s founding Chairman. Martin played a pivotal role in the success that Peer Group has achieved during the last 35 years.

Born in Ireland in 1935, Martin began his property career in Canada during 1960, which continued when he moved to the UK. He founded, bought and sold a variety of businesses. In 1983 he acquired a major shareholding and became chairman of Peer Properties Limited, when the Company had net assets of only £283,000. Working with a dedicated team of property professionals, he built the business into the substantial multi sector investment company it is today.

Martin’s passion for over 50 years was motor racing. He competed at Le Mans on ten occasions, where his best result was a class win in 1985 in a BMW M1 Procar. In 1997 he bought the world renowned business of Lola Cars and then rebuilt the company, diversifying into new areas of business including Aerospace, Defence and Renewables.

Martin saved Mondello Park Motor Racing Circuit from closure in 1986. He went on to invest in the facilities and created the only international standard permanent racing facility in the Republic of Ireland, which now hosts the best of International Motorsport.

The Birrane Foundation (click here for further information)

                    

Office

Retail

Residential

Industrial