Nabarro has advised FinTech firm BrickVest, on the launch of its online real estate investment platform and the closing of the first three deals with real estate companies Thor Equities, Aerium and Corestate Capital Group. The London based Fintech platform allows investors to invest as little as EUR 1,000 in real estate assets that previously were only accessible to institutional investors such as pension funds, insurance companies and large family offices.
Through BrickVest’s trusted platform, investors can invest alongside these reputable investment partners, who manage billions of real estate assets globally. Thor Equities, the global retail investment and development specialist, will give BrickVest users the opportunity to invest in retail assets located on Oxford Street in London. With Aerium, the pan-European real estate investment manager, BrickVest users can access an investment into three office buildings in the heart of Berlin’s central business district. The final deal secured with Corestate Capital Group is a EUR 125 million retail portfolio also in Germany.
The founding team has a vast experience in both the real estate and technology sectors. The company is backed by influential investors, notably including Harvard University Professor of Real Estate Finance, Richard Peiser, and Global Founders Capital, the venture capital arm of Rocket Internet.
The Nabarro team was led by Financial Services Regulatory partner Sam Robinson assisted by Financial Services Regulatory associate, Bradley Rice. Corporate partner John Finnemore assisted by Corporate associate, Nikki Kalamis, led on corporate and private equity aspects. Tax partner, Graham Muir, and associate, Dilpa Ravel, advised on BrickVest's employee incentive scheme.
Partner and head of Nabarro’s Financial Services Regulatory team, Sam Robinson, said:
“We were thrilled to advise BrickVest on the structuring and establishment of its digital real estate investment platform and the closing of significant deals. Nabarro has an award-wining reputation advising on complex transactions within the real estate sector and we were thrilled to be able to work on an opportunity that crossed over two key sectors for the firm. Our relationship with BrickVest is an important element of a growing portfolio of financial technology companies and entrepreneurs and we look forward to more such opportunities in the fast-paced and innovative FinTech market.”
Emmanuel Lumineau, CEO at BrickVest, comments:
“Today is a significant moment in the real estate industry, as we are levelling the playing field for those who have been unfairly locked out from closed networks. While most existing real estate peer-to-peer funding platforms act as a brokerage service for investors, BrickVest offers the full spectrum of investment management services: from complete deal underwriting and structuring to investment management, rating and monitoring. BrickVest further sets itself apart by providing to the European investment community a unique liquidity platform to a traditionally illiquid asset class. I certainly believe that we are introducing a fundamental shift in the process of real estate investment.”
