Real estate

Pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice makes a powerful difference when you’re making major property decisions. Our real estate team is renowned for developing long-lasting partnerships with clients. We have a reputation for developing and attracting talented, commercially-minded lawyers with an appetite for getting the deal done.
  • Profile
  • Experience
  • Key contacts

With international expertise and broad experience in every kind of commercial and residential property transaction, we advise clients all over the world including:

  • major property companies
  • institutional investors
  • banks
  • hotel groups
  • public sector organisations
  • corporate occupiers.

Whether it’s a major investment acquisition or disposal, or a routine landlord and tenant matter, you have top legal talent and a highly committed team on your side. You get legal advice that is based on a profound understanding of your business and of the property market. Expert advice that is easy to digest.

We have extensive experience of:

  • investment acquisitions and disposals
  • financings and refinancings
  • development projects including planning and environmental advice
  • sale and leasebacks and other structures
  • management matters.

As well as our core team of real estate lawyers we offer wider services to real estate clients through our finance, tax, corporate and construction specialists.

"Focused team who look to understand our detailed needs and requirements"
The Legal 500 UK 2022

Prominent developer, Gravesend town centre regeneration project

We advised a prominent developer arranger, intermediary, developer and asset manager of a town centre regeneration project in Gravesend. The project involves the regeneration of St George’s Shopping Centre and the Eastern and Western Quarters in Gravesend. The site has been subject to controversy as the previous owner / developer of the site did not utilise its planning permission to develop it.

Prominent developer, purchase of freehold and long-leasehold interests

We advised the developer on the purchase of the freehold and long-leasehold interests in Queensway and The Forum, Stevenage, from Glasgow City Council, Marks and Spencer and Homes England.  We also advised the developer on the sub-sale of part of this land to a pension fund and the subsequent placing of an income strip between the local authority, the pension fund and the developer.

easyHotel, three acquisitions of sites for the purpose of redevelopments as hotels

We advised easyHotels on the acquisition of sites in Milton Keynes, Cardiff and Blackpool for the purpose of redevelopments as hotels. Each of these deals was conditional on planning and development considerations.

Firethorn Trust, purchase of serviced office building in Canary Wharf

We advised Firethorn Trust on the £30 million purchase of a serviced office building in Canary Wharf.  We advised on all due diligence of the sale. In tandem with the purchase transaction, we negotiated a pre-let hotel agreement for lease in respect of part of the site, which is to be substantially redeveloped to cater for a hotel and office/residential use.

Conegate, restructuring of the business

We advised Conegate, an investor and developer in real estate, on the restructuring of its business in order to separate its investment assets from its development assets. Conegate's real estate assets are likely to be in excess of £500 million, to give context on size.  The reorganisation completed in January 2018.

Redevelopment of 7-11 Cavendish Place

We advised the developer of the redevelopment of 7-11 Cavendish Place, Marylebone. The developer had planning permission granted to demolish the existing building on this site and construct a new 7 storey building (plus basement) which will be a mix of residential and retail.

Lawyer

Catriona Berman Partner

T:  +44 20 7809 2568
M:  Email Catriona | Vcard Office:  London

Lawyer

Simon Brading Partner and head of real estate

T:  +44 20 7809 2525
M:  +44 7557 284 641 Email Simon | Vcard Office:  London

Lawyer

Stephen Laud Partner

T:  +44 20 7809 2514
M:  +44 7717 341 733 Email Stephen | Vcard Office:  London

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© Stephenson Harwood LLP 2016. Any reference to Stephenson Harwood in this document means Stephenson Harwood LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings. Any reference to a partner is used to refer to a member of Stephenson Harwood LLP.