Property Investors & Developers

Property is no longer just about location, it is about navigating regulatory reform, securing capital, and unlocking long-term value. In a fast-changing landscape, investors and developers need real estate lawyers who understand both the legal detail and the commercial ambition behind every project. The commercial property landscape is increasingly multifaceted, spanning regulatory, structural, and strategic challenges that require nuanced and forward-thinking legal support.

With decades of experience and a long-standing reputation for excellence in commercial real estate law, we offer the comprehensive expertise investors and developers need to navigate complexity and achieve commercial success.

Legal advice for complex real estate investments and developments

We advise a broad spectrum of clients ranging from private and institutional investors to major developers. Our client base includes leading domestic and international names, from global property funds and private property companies to high-net-worth families, private offices, and sovereign wealth entities.
Our team supports clients with interests in diverse asset classes including:

Office buildings and commercial complexes
Mixed-use developments with residential and commercial elements
Hotels, leisure and entertainment venues
Sporting infrastructure, from stadiums to golf resorts
Data centres and digital infrastructure
Shopping centres and high-street retail assets
Student housing and educational campuses
Assisted living and retirement communities
Urban regeneration and strategic landholdings
Build-to-rent and co-living schemes
Property funds and structured investment vehicles

Integrated property investment and development expertise

Our real estate lawyers work seamlessly with specialists in tax, corporate, regulatory, and dispute resolution to deliver end-to-end solutions. We provide legal advice on:

Tax structuring and implications of property transactions
Formation and governance of joint ventures and development partnerships
Offshore investment vehicles and international structuring
Fund formation and regulatory compliance
Planning, construction law, and project management
Environmental considerations and risk management
Dispute resolution and litigation support across all real estate contexts

Trusted for insight, driven by commercial understanding

What sets us apart is not only our legal expertise, but our ability to align it with the commercial realities of property investment. We take time to understand our clients’ business objectives and tailor advice accordingly, applying sound commercial judgment, deep sector knowledge, and a collaborative approach that makes us a true partner in your success.

The team is proactive, pragmatic and, when it counts, tough.

Chambers 2024

Work highlights

British Library – £1 billion cultural regeneration project

We are advising the British Library on the redevelopment of its 2.8-acre St Pancras site, a complex, high-profile project that combines commercial development with public infrastructure. Our multidisciplinary team leading on development agreements, planning strategy, safeguarding matters (including Crossrail 2), and procurement, demonstrating our ability to handle legally and politically sensitive urban schemes.

Shinfield Studios – creation of a UK film production hub

Advising on the delivery of a major studio campus in Berkshire for Shinfield Studios, including all aspects of the £350m+ site acquisition, development, long leasing, refinancing, and equity investment. The facility has secured major Hollywood tenants and showcases our capability in structured finance, construction, and commercial leasing for inward investment projects.

Duchy of Cornwall – long-term estate development leadership

Acting as lead legal advisers across the Duchy’s £1bn property portfolio, we are supporting major mixed-use legacy schemes in Dorset, Cornwall, Kent, and London. Our role includes planning strategy, land acquisitions, affordable housing delivery, infrastructure agreements, and ESG-led initiatives, positioning us as leaders in placemaking and community-led development.

Strategic estate growth for the Burghley Estate

We are advising the Burghley Estate on two significant legacy development schemes: the £200m mixed-use transformation of St Martin’s Park in Stamford, and the promotion of land near Borderville for 2,000 homes with supporting community facilities. These projects demonstrate our expertise in complex structuring, planning and multi-stakeholder collaboration for historic landowners.

Active asset management with Charities Property Fund

We continue to advise the Charities Property Fund, a £1 billion common investment fund for over 1,500 charities. Most recently, these included a series of high-profile transactions, including retail and logistics disposals, major lease deals with global occupiers, and the delivery of an ESG-led supported housing scheme. The Fund continues to strengthen its ESG credentials and pursue strategic asset management, most recently transforming a secondary investment into a data centre hub.

Strategic growth of a £360m private property portfolio

We are advising an ultra-high-net-worth individual on the growth and management of their UK property portfolio, now valued at £360m. Our work spans acquisitions, disposals, asset management and significant development projects, demonstrating our expertise in supporting private investors with complex structuring and long-term portfolio strategy.

Our specialisms

Placemaking and legacy developments

As the Government strives to meet its ambitious housing targets and spur economic growth, placemaking and legacy developments are facilitating the delivery of much needed, high-quality housing and mixed use and commercial developments.

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