Investors should realize owning a famous building is no substitute for steady rents

London property is widely seen as an ideal and profitable investment, but Chinese companies also need to pay attention to the potential risks.

The city's commercial property market has welcomed Chinese investors. The latest large real-estate deal was made by China Life Insurance Co, the country's largest insurer, which was part of a consortium that bought 10 Upper Bank Street, a 32-story building in high-end business district Canary Wharf, for 795 million pounds ($1.35 billion) in June.