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Real estate

We act across all sectors of the industry on the most complex and high profile development and investment work, joint ventures and cross-border matters, real estate fund structuring and inward investment.

Our clients are among the most active and exciting players in the real estate industry today. They range from private individuals and property companies to life insurance companies, large corporates and public bodies, based both in the UK and internationally. We advise on all aspects of real estate transactions including investment, development, planning, environment, construction, financing, asset management and dispute resolution.

Expertise:

Recent work

Stanhope plc

Advising Stanhope, backed by Mitsui Fudosan UK and the Alberta Investment Management Corporation, on its purchase of the iconic BBC Television Centre for £200m.

Legal & General

Advising Legal & General on the forward funding of both a 44 storey student accommodation tower in Stratford, East London, pre-let to Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and developed by Alumno, and a new state-of-the-art office hub in Bristol, pre-let to HMRC and developed by Salmon Harvester.

Legal & General

Advising Legal & General’s Property Income Fund in connection with the acquisition from Land Securities of the Overgate (Jersey) Unit Trust which owns the Overage Shopping Centre Dundee followed by acquisitions of the office buildings at Priory Court and Temple Court, Birmingham and First Central 200, Park Royal, London NW10.

Berkeley Homes

Advising Berkeley Homes on a number of new schemes including on the agreement with the Greater London Authority for the redevelopment of the disused 26 acre former Parcelforce Depot in Newham near West Ham Station, to include 3,500 homes and a significant number of private rental apartments.

Arora

Acting for the Arora Group in relation to the development of its Fourth World Business Centre Complex at Heathrow Airport, a 145,000 sq ft office scheme and its pre-letting to Amadeus Services; the first standalone office development at the Airport for a decade.

The Economist

Advising the weekly news, business and politics journal The Economist on its move from 25 St James’s Street, SW1 to establish new editorial headquarters at the iconic Adelphi building, WC2.

Brookfield

Advising Brookfield Office Properties on its anchor letting of 430,000 sq ft at Principal Place, London to Amazon.

Intu

Acting for Intu Properties Plc on the acquisition of three shopping centres in Derby, Sprucefield (Northern Ireland) and a 50 per cent interest in Merry Hill (West Midlands) from Westfield for a consideration of £867.8m.

More London

Advising More London on one of the largest central London development schemes undertaken in the last ten years.

Derwent London plc

Advising Derwent London plc on all legal aspects of the development and letting of White Collar Factory, Old Street Roundabout, London E1. The development comprises a combination of new and existing buildings providing 270,000 sq ft of office accommodation and 11,000 sq ft of restaurants. Tenants include Capital One, Adobe and The Office Group.

Derwent London plc

Advising Derwent London plc on the development, letting and forward sale of The Copyright Building, Berners Street, London W1. The building which is more than 100,000 sq ft is pre-let to Capita at £7.4m. The building was sold to Union Investment Real Estate GmbH for £165m.

CBRE Britannica

Advising Grant Thornton (as administrators) and ING, Deutsche Hypothekenbank and Hypothekenbank Frankfurt (as lenders) on the sale of a portfolio of eight shopping centres owned by CBRE Britannica to Kennedy Wilson for c. £250m.

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Contact

See all contacts

Anthony Burnett-Scott

 Partner
+44 (0)20 7849 2020 Email Anthony

Quick reads

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In depth

The Queen’s Speech 2021: core policies for property and construction

Fiona Bishop , Rebecca Delaney 14 May 2021
In a pared-back Queen’s Speech, the Queen outlined the government’s priorities for the year ahead.
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Fire Safety Act: key issues following Royal Assent

Fiona Bishop , Rebecca Delaney 06 May 2021
The Fire Safety Act received Royal Assent on 29 April 2021. What does it mean for owners and managers of residential buildings? Should those owners and managers take steps to...
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Tax Day: Business Rates Interim Report – a summary

Rebecca Delaney 25 Mar 2021
Business rates formed part of the series of tax documents and consultations as part of the inaugural Tax Day on 23 March.
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What people are saying

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"Excellent capabilities in big-ticket transactional work and fund structuring. Draws from a deep pool of practitioners in related disciplines – including tax, funds, finance and procurement lawyers – to provide a comprehensive real estate offering."

Chambers UK 2020

"Their work is really good: it's accurate and correct, with good attention to detail, and their drafting is very clear and uncomplicated. They are also quick to respond."

Chambers UK 2020

"The Macfarlanes commercial property provide an excellent level of service. The team fully understand commercial objectives and risk appetite, and approach their commissions in such a way as to ensure these are met and managed accordingly."

The UK Legal 500 2019

"Clients say that the firm supplies 'fantastic customer service, a real breadth of in-depth expertise and very high-quality output.'"

Chambers UK 2018

"'Macfarlanes have been a strong adviser and supporter and provide an excellent level of service,' commentators say."

Chambers UK 2018

"Macfarlanes LLP 'provides a trusted and tailored service' and 'always demonstrates a reliable accessibility and a willingness to turn documents around swiftly'"

The UK Legal 500 2017

Awards