Wragge & Co's real estate experts have advised regeneration specialist St. Modwen Developments on a £450 million science and innovation campus development project at Swansea University.

St. Modwen is to work with Swansea University as development partner on the first phase of the project. The 700,000 sq ft development will include 430,000 sq ft of academic space, 899 student apartments and associated retail space.

Real estate partner Peter Thorne led a cross-firm team of experts advising on the deal. He was assisted by real estate partners Sue Bennett and Huw Roberts, tax partner Lee Nuttall, construction partner Richard Green and solicitor Gemma Whittaker. Regeneration director Richard Beckingsale and insurance director Samantha Holland also provided specialist advice. They worked closely with St. Modwen's south west regional director Rupert Joseland and executive director Steve Burke.

Peter Thorne said: "Having worked with St. Modwen for more than 20 years we have an in-depth understanding of its commercial drivers and long-term strategy. We worked as an extension of its team, guiding it through a competitive dialogue process, negotiating the development agreements and construction contracts and advising on the documents required to secure funding."

Steve Burke added: "The team at Wragge & Co have worked closely with our team on a number of substantial projects over many years. This project comprised several complex elements which needed to coincide. Wragge & Co's knowledge and experience coupled with the specialist resources the real estate team is able to draw upon ensured all elements of the project were delivered simultaneously."

St. Modwen is the UK's leading regeneration specialist. A FTSE 250 company, St. Modwen operates across the full spectrum of the property industry from a network of seven UK offices, a residential business and through joint ventures with public sector and industry leading partners. It has a property portfolio of £1.1 billion. Earlier this year, Wragge & Co advised St. Modwen on its role in the £2 billion redevelopment of New Covent Garden Market.

Providing a sector-focused service, Wragge & Co's real estate specialists act for investors, developers, major corporates, financial institutions, housing associations and local authorities in the UK and worldwide. Other real estate highlights from the past 12 months include advising Roxhill Developments on a joint venture to develop the one million sq ft London Distribution Park at the Port of Tilbury.

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