Real estate finance

Our real estate finance team consists of leading experts who advise on the full spectrum of investment and development financings, across all real estate asset classes. Combing specialist legal advice, extensive industry knowledge and a relationship driven team, we believe we are best placed to support lenders, borrowers and other key stakeholders with every aspect of any real estate finance transaction. 
  • Profile
  • Experience
  • Key contacts

With one of the largest dedicated real estate finance teams in the City, we are a fully integrated team comprising a mixture of finance, real estate and construction lawyers. This one team approach enables us to work together in a joined up way for exceptional service delivery: we know each other well and enjoy working together.

Our team also work closely with the firm's specialists in corporate, tax, construction, planning, environment and regulation, providing you with a seamless service across all departments. You can expect our advice to get to the point. We will deliver pragmatic advice based on an understanding of your goals and the market in which you operate.

Our real estate finance experts advise banks, alternative lenders, borrowers, investors, funds and developers across the real estate investment and development sectors.

We can help you with:

  • bilateral and syndicated loans – investment and development; public and private sectors
  • senior and mezzanine facilities – dealing with complex intercreditor issues
  • financing real estate investment funds, REITs, unit trusts, limited partnerships and other entities, both on and off-shore
  • tax efficient funding structures
  • specialist sectors, including the private rented sector (PRS), student housing, hotel/leisure, life sciences, healthcare, education, and other not-for-profit sectors
  • loan restructuring and dealing with distressed debt

The team are at the forefront in driving industry change. They have contributed significantly in developing the guidelines, published by the LMA, in relation to the application of Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles. We have supported our clients on the property-holding implications of the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 through training, articles and speaking to industry professionals. We understand the benefit to our clients in having lawyers that are integrated in industry conversations to help them pre-empt and navigate challenges within the market.

"Good collaboration between SH teams to address issues and provide solutions to close transactions."

The Legal 500 UK 2023

Barings Real Estate

Advised on the £87.8 million refinancing of Wellington Place 19, 5 asset multi-let office complex in Leeds, for the international business of Federated Hermes and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments).

Bayern LB

Advised in connection with a £66.5 million term loan facility made available by Bayerische Landesbank to fund the acquisition of the property known as 14 Ryder Street, London.

Hotel Properties Ltd

Acting for HPL, listed in Singapore, as borrower in relation to the £360 million development financing of the Paddington Cube, a mixed-use scheme designed by Renzo Piano at Paddington with a gross development value of £825 million.

ING

Advising ING as mandated lead arranger, senior lender and agent on a £177 million whole-loan and related intercreditor arrangements with a junior lender advised by Global Holdings.  The facility was to refinance the mixed-use Notting Hill Gate Estate, London, held by UK asset manager Frogmore and its joint venture partner Morgan Stanley.

Wells Fargo

Acting for Wells Fargo’s £70 million development financing of Regents Wharf, King’s Cross for Regents Wharf Property Unit Trust.

LaSalle fund

Acting for National Pension Service of Korea on the £780 million acquisition financing of Plumtree Court, Goldman Sachs’ new European headquarters.

Wells Fargo

Advised on the £28 million refinancing of Peel Logistic Properties logistics assets at Port Salford and Liverpool International Business Park, Speke and the £70 million RWPUT development financing.

Barings real estate

Advised on the €188.5 million senior secured real estate investment loan to finance KKR and Palm Capital's acquisition of a portfolio of 73 industrial and logistics assets across the Republic of Ireland. 

BNP Paribas

Advised on a portfolio of private wealth loans secured over high value London property.

Canada Life

Advised on a £43 million facility supported by a portfolio of residential blocks in the heart of London.

Barings real estate

Advising on the financings of a student accommodation block in Barcelona, Spain and a warehouse facility in Bremen, Germany.

Wells Fargo

Advised Wells Fargo on an initial £60 million debt facility (with £100 million accordion), for the acquisition of a portfolio of UK supermarket assets.

Lawyer

Archie Campbell Partner

T:  +44 20 7809 2377
M:  Email Archie | Vcard Office:  London

Lawyer

Sean Crowley Partner

T:  +44 20 7809 2037
M:  +44 7818 564 438 Email Sean | Vcard Office:  London

Lawyer

Paul Hayward-Surry Partner

T:  +44 20 7809 2538
M:  +44 7881 316 119 Email Paul | Vcard Office:  London

Lawyer

James Linforth Partner

T:  +44 20 7809 2060
M:  Email James | Vcard Office:  London

Lawyer

Jonathan Proctor Partner

T:  +44 20 7809 2207
M:  Email Jonathan | Vcard Office:  London

Lawyer

George Vaughton Partner

T:  +44 20 7809 2523
M:  +44 7827 241 084 Email George | Vcard Office:  London

Latest news & insights

31 Jan 2023

From Insights

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee: is your floating charge valid?

In the current times of financial stress, a borrower seeking to renegotiate or refinance existing financing arrangements may be asked by its lender to enhance or refre..

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09 Nov 2022

From Insights

Reservation of Rights Letters following Lombard North Central plc v European Skyjets Ltd (in liquidation)

This article looks at the recent Lombard North Central v European Skyjets Ltd (in liquidation) case, which provided a useful reminder that a lender's conduct following..

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01 Sep 2022

From Insights

The register of overseas entities – impact on legal mortgages from 5 September 2022

On 1 August 2022 most of the provisions of the Economic (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 ("ECTEA") relating to the registration of overseas entities came into f..

More

28 Mar 2022

From Insights

The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 – what do lenders need to know?

This article explains what actions lenders should be taking as a result of the new Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 (the "Act") – both now and al..

More

17 Mar 2022

From Insights

Answers to 10 key questions about how the new Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 affects property ownership

The new Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act ("the ECA") provides for a register of overseas entities and their beneficial owners.

More

11 Mar 2022

From Insights

Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles in real estate finance and real estate development finance transactions

The LMA has recently launched new guidance on the application of the LMA's Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles ("SLLPs") in Real Estate Finance and Real Estate Devel..

More

28 May 2021

From Insights

National Security and Investment Act 2021 – the impact on loans and finance transactions

We are pleased to share with you our briefing on how the NSIA (which received Royal Assent on 29 April 2021 and is likely to come into full effect later this year) may..

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22 Apr 2021

From Insights

Landlord-friendly decision in a rent arrears case during the Covid pandemic

In a welcome decision for landlords, on 16th April 2021 the High Court has dismissed many of the legal arguments tenants have tried to run to avoid paying rent during ..

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06 Aug 2020

From Insights

Green shoots: the rise of the green finance revolution

Despite stiff competition from Brexit and Covid-19, climate change remains a topic never far away from the news headlines.

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30 Jan 2019

From Insights

How reasonable do lenders need to be?

When a finance document gives a lender the right to exercise a power or discretion it is common for borrowers and their lawyers to add "acting reasonably" qualificatio..

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17 Jul 2017

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises SEA Holdings on £260 million acquisition of 33 Old Broad Street

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised SEA Holdings on its £260 million acquisition of 33 Old Broad Street, London, from real estate private equity firm Brockton ..

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