According to an article in the Commercial Observer, several factors are contributing to the steady flow of French investment in the NYC Market.
1- Post election, many affluent French people were afraid of what the new president would do as far as taxes.
2- The NYC market is viewed as a safe haven for investment with lower cap rates.
3- High taxes in France
4- Proliferation of Eb-5 visas which allow an investment of $500k in exchange for green cards as well Eb-2 visas. Eb-2 visas unlike Eb-5 do not have yearly limits.
French investments range from small properties in the Boroughs up to and including trophy office properties. Due to the recent strength of the dollar, some investors are selling and cashing in a nice profit due to the exchange rate as well as the price spike in real estate assets in the last few years.