Real estate

Commercial real estate

who should you talk to?

A commercial approach to commercial real estate.

The real estate industry is constantly changing, being redefined by factors which could impact your business and your commercial opportunities. Whether it’s the emergence of new business models, the spread of co-working and living spaces, the rise of PropTech or the changing face of the high street, your business needs to be prepared to evolve and adapt. You should work with a legal team with an outstanding awareness of, not just the real estate market, but the wider commercial landscape, to guide you smoothly and effectively through your transactions and provide pragmatic advice on your property management.

Our Commercial real estate team advises real estate owners, investors, landlords and tenants, developers, and funders across a wide variety of sectors on the financing, growth, management and disposal of their commercial property, including investment portfolios. Our work ranges from multi-million pound portfolio acquisitions to individual sales and disposals, commercial lettings and management. Alongside our domestic expertise, we have considerable experience acting for foreign investors and offshore trusts.

Whether we are advising you on the management of your property on an ongoing basis or providing solutions to specific, more complex issues, we gain an in-depth understanding of your commercial objectives and strategy and use this, along with our industry knowledge, to provide tailored and proactive advice which moves your business forward.

Our creative problem solving approach means we can take on, make sense of and resolve extremely complex matters. We look ahead, beyond the matter in hand, pre-empting problems before they arise, so that we are always prepared for the next stage of any project. We pride ourselves on our commitment to creating new and better ways to support our clients and achieve the best results.

Financing, growing, managing and disposing of your property

We support our clients, often businesses owned and operated by wealthy domestic and
international individuals and families, in both their transactional real estate requirements and more complex contentious issues.

Download our Real estate brochure

Important update: In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the FCA has decided to extend its deadline for ceasing to issue new loans based on LIBOR until the end of Q1 2021.

Getting to grips with LIBOR transition and loans

Collyer Bristow surveyed real estate businesses on the steps they are taking to prepare for the end of LIBOR and the introduction of new benchmark reference rates.

Read our latest White Paper for the findings of our research; the differences between LIBOR and risk free rates; the impact on borrowers with new loans; the impact on borrowers with existing loans.; and how Collyer Bristow can help.

Download White Paper

Home ownership attitudes and aspirations

Home ownership remains the ultimate goal for ‘Generation Rent’ in London, yet with a growing market for rental ‘co-living’ schemes and a drop in the financial support available from Mum and Dad, it is no wonder that fewer 18-44 year olds now believe they will be buying a home in the next five years.

Read our full report for more interesting findings.

Download report

More information

Commercial occupiers

Our team has significant experience in advising commercial occupiers on how to get the most value out of their property portfolios.

Businesses are currently having to contend with the uncertainty of Brexit along with increasing business rates and a higher national living wage. We support clients in navigating the changing landscape, providing tailored advice on acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant matters, dispute resolution and tax related issues.

We have acted for a number of high profile regulatory bodies in connection with their office moves. We have also been instructed on a number of bank-related matters including one of the most significant Bank headquarter moves in London. We provide ongoing advice to a number of commercial occupiers including one of the largest tobacco groups and one of the largest media groups in the world.

Housebuilders & developers

We advise a wide variety of housebuilder clients from the inception of their projects to completion. This includes guidance on acquisition and development finance, site assembly, obtaining planning permission and construction, plot sales and the sale of the reversionary interest.

We have particular expertise in the acquisition and development of complex mixed-use sites, the establishment of joint ventures, secured financings, agreements conditional on obtaining satisfactory planning permission, profit sharing and overage arrangements and renewable energy matters.

Investors and property managers

Our team acts for a wide range of property owners, investors, international banks, sovereign wealth funds, landlords and tenants. Transactions we work on range from high value portfolio acquisitions and sales to individual acquisitions and disposals, commercial lettings and property management.

Our expertise is enhanced by specialists in alcohol and entertainment licensing and supported by our Dispute Resolution and Construction teams.

Mixed-use developers

Our team has substantial experience advising on all aspects of complex mixed-use development projects, from financing through to build and disposal. We act for housebuilders, developers, landowners, local authorities, social landlords, charities, financial institutions and retailers.

Our expertise is enhanced by specialists in alcohol and entertainment licensing and supported by our Dispute Resolution and Construction teams.

Private rental sector (PRS)

The private rental sector (PRS) has become one of the largest and fastest growing areas of the UK real estate market, particularly in London, with build to rent (BTR) schemes becoming an attractive housing option.

We work with developers (including challenger brands and national housebuilders) as well as institutional funder clients to support the funding, building and ongoing operation of properties in the sector.

Our multi-disciplinary team brings together specialists from commercial real estate, real estate finance, construction and real estate litigation. Combined, our team provides an end-to-end service that begins with site acquisition and continues far beyond the development of the property.

More information

Commercial occupiers

We have acted for a number of high profile regulatory bodies in connection with their office moves. We have also been instructed on a number of bank-related matters including one of the most significant Bank headquarter moves in London. We provide ongoing advice to a number of commercial occupiers including one of the largest tobacco groups and one of the largest media groups in the world.

Housebuilders & developers

We have particular expertise in the acquisition and development of complex mixed-use sites, the establishment of joint ventures, secured financings, agreements conditional on obtaining satisfactory planning permission, profit sharing and overage arrangements and renewable energy matters.

Investors and property managers

Our expertise is enhanced by specialists in alcohol and entertainment licensing and supported by our Dispute Resolution and Construction teams.

Mixed-use developers

Our expertise is enhanced by specialists in alcohol and entertainment licensing and supported by our Dispute Resolution and Construction teams.

Private rental sector (PRS)

Our multi-disciplinary team brings together specialists from commercial real estate, real estate finance, construction and real estate litigation. Combined, our team provides an end-to-end service that begins with site acquisition and continues far beyond the development of the property.

Alex O'Connor

Partner

Talk to Alex about Commercial real estate

Hotel refinancing

We acted for the independent owner of a newly refurbished, historic, franchised hotel, in a refinancing transaction. This has involved negotiation of a direct agreement with one of the world’s leading hotel brands.

Rory Macpherson

Partner

Talk to Rory about Commercial real estate

Acquisition of major development site

We acted for the lender on the acquisition of a site for the mixed-use development of a secondary school, approximately 500 new homes (including open market housing, build-to-rent and affordable homes), 100,000 sq ft of office space and student accommodation.

Alex O'Connor

Partner

Talk to Alex about Commercial real estate

Major development in East London

We are acting for a joint venture between a major developer and a housing association in connection with site assembly, funding, development and sales for a substantial mixed-use development in East London. This is a ten year programme for the construction of over 1,000 units, including build-to-rent homes, a community centre, health centre, retail space and a new public square.

Stephen Gawne

Partner

Talk to Stephen about Commercial real estate

Property investment company

We act for a long established property investment company regarding the management of its office, retail and industrial real estate portfolio. Our advice covers all areas of commercial and residential real estate, litigation, finance, development, construction, and planning.

Jonathan Wiese

Partner

Talk to Jonathan about Commercial real estate

Overseas Bank’s European HQ

We are currently acting for an overseas bank on the relocation of its European HQ in central London. This ongoing project is due to last for several years and includes the negotiation of documents in respect of the new premises, re-gearing of existing leases and detailed advice in relation to exit from the bank’s existing properties.

Stephen Gawne

Partner

Talk to Stephen about Commercial real estate

Sovereign wealth fund’s property portfolio

We act for a sovereign wealth fund in relation to its portfolio of property in central London, including advice on property management, real estate litigation, corporate tax and international law matters.