Real estate

A changeable economic climate is demanding for everyone; however where there are challenges, there are also opportunities and those businesses that have managed to survive, and even thrive, in the recession are likely to be in a strong position to take advantage of the upturn. Whether you’re an investor, developer, or an occupier you will need focused and tailored advice and support to help meet your real estate requirements and take advantage of the opportunities that now exist.

We are well respected in the market place, having built up strong and long standing relationships with key players in the sector. The team, which combines specialists from a range of legal disciplines, is recognised as being “excellent performers who are knowledgeable, experienced, hardworking and innovative” by Legal 500, 2009.

We bring together the full range of specialists to advise throughout the entire real estate life cycle from investment and management advice to sale, redevelopment or onward sale and leaseback. Our experience and knowledge of the industry means we understand the big picture, we bring commercial insights to any transaction and have a reputation for getting the deal done.

Some of examples of clients and the work we have done for them include:

Private investors. We have advised a number of overseas investors on prime investment acquisitions totalling over £250M in the past year alone.

Royal Bank of Scotland. We have acted for RBS for many years, being the lead real estate lawyers on numerous high profile transactions. Recent examples include:

• the sale and leaseback of a portfolio of 62 major operational properties to TeleReal and The Prudential;
• the property aspects of the acquisition of ABN Amro Bank NV and the subsequent property integration and disposal programme across some 57 countries;
• the acquisition of a 370,000 sq ft mixed-use complex at Bankside, Southwark and consolidation of the Banks 500,000 sq ft Manchester property holdings to Spinningfields.

Howard de Walden Estate. Having been a client of our firm for many years we have advised on numerous real estate matters including the notable £34 million Harley Street acquisition from The Crown Estate. The freehold block comprises 95,000 square feet of medical and residential accommodation is spread across 14 terraced buildings, with mews properties to the rear. Alongside some residential occupants, tenants predominantly include business occupiers. This new acquisition for the estate generates an initial annual income of £1.2 million.

Derwent London. A long-standing client. We are active on work across their portfolio dealing with new developments, construction, complex lettings and lease restructurings, management activity and planning. Recent work includes advising on the property and construction aspects of 50,324 sq ft awarding winning development, Portobello Dock.

P&O Estates. We have advised this developer over a number of years and we are active on work across their portfolio. Notable examples include advising on:

• Regent Quarter, a 240,000 sq ft mixed-use development at the heart of King’s Cross. The scheme involved the regeneration of a whole urban block adjacent to King’s Cross Station, including new build and refurbishment. We advised on both the construction and property aspects of Block B, including complex title issues, CPO’s, the property holding structures and the letting schemes and the granting of leases;
• Drake Circus Shopping Centre, a 654,000 sq foot covered shopping mall in the centre of Plymouth. The development won two retail industry national awards, one of which was the Retail Week magazine's "Shopping Location of the Year“. We drafted all construction related contracts including the infrastructure contracts.