Brunswick Developments, the property company that made two failed bids for Alfred McAlpine last year, is still on the prowl for a major housebuilder.
Andrew Goodall, chief executive of Brunswick, which owns Brighton Marina, said he had held "friendly talks" with two housebuilders this year, one priced at about 拢100m and the other at 拢300m. Neither of the deals had come to fruition.
Goodall said he was still looking for a deal at the right price, but indicated that he would be unlikely to bid again for McAlpine.
"We have been looking at pure housebuilders because we don't want a contracting arm," said Goodall. "The biggest problem for anyone wanting to buy McAlpine is that they have to deal with the contracting side and you get a high risk profile with any contractor."
McAlpine recently rejected a 拢244m approach by Heron International, the property firm run by Gerald Ronson.
It is unclear whether Ronson, who has 12 000 plots in his land bank, will return with a higher offer or turn his attentions elsewhere.
