LONDON, 17 June 2013 - Hogan Lovells has advised Hermes Real Estate Investment Management Limited (HREIML) on a £337million ownership swap between thecentre:mk, Milton Keynes and The Friary Centre, Guildford, with M&G Real Estate.

HREIML acquired M&G Real Estate's 36% stake in thecentre:mk, bringing the prime retail asset fully under HREIML’s control. M&G Real Estate assumes sole ownership of The Friary Centre, and associated holdings in North Street, Guildford. HREIML contributed a balancing payment as part of the deal.

Osborne Clarke has advised its longstanding client The UNITE Group plc, the UK's leading developer and manager of student accommodation on its successful £51.2 million placing.

The Osborne Clarke team was led by Partner, Jonathan King, assisted by Senior Associate, Mark Wesker.

Real estate specialists at leading UK law firm Burges Salmon have advised St. Modwen on the final development phase of its £42 million Quedgeley West Business Park scheme.

Slaughter and May advised Workspace Group plc ('Workspace'), London's leading provider of office space to new and growing companies, on the agreement of a debt refinancing package.

International law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP, has advised the Peterson Group, a privately-owned Hong Kong real estate and private equity group, on a £121 million purchase, development and forward funding transaction with Resolution Property, a leading UK and European real estate investor. The development site is located on London’s Oxford Street, adjacent to the Tottenham Court road crossrail and underground stations.

Dentons’ real estate group in Europe has advised on two landmark real estate deals in Poland.

Herbert Smith Freehills has advised Federation Centres and Retail Direct Property on the sale of a 50% interest in six shopping centres throughout Australia to trusts managed by the Challenger Group (Purchaser) for a consideration of $602 million.

Herbert Smith Freehills has advised QIC Global Real Estate on its acquisition of a 49% equity interest in eight US regional shopping malls currently owned by US-based Forest City Enterprises.

McCaul Developments has made its first move into the Manchester City Centre market with the unveiling of a prestigious housing development at the New Islington regeneration scheme. 

The family-owned business, based in Astley, said Phase One of the development, which includes 23 apartments and six town houses at The Point in New Islington, will be ready for release in August.

McCauls has submitted plans for Phase Two of the £15m scheme as the company steps up its development plans for in and around Manchester and the North West.

The Bendigo Hospital Public-Private Partnership (PPP) reached financial close on 29 May 2013, with a team of lawyers from DLA Piper advising Lend Lease Project Management and Construction.

The $630 million project will be delivered in partnership with state government body, Bendigo Health and will involve the redevelopment of the existing Bendigo Hospital site. It is scheduled to be completed in 2016 and will be the largest regional hospital development in Victoria and one of the largest in Australia.