Trowers & Hamlins has advised Bahrain-based Islamic lender Venture Capital Bank (VCBank) on its acquistion of Mayfair Chambers, a prime boutique, new-build, freehold residential development in one of the most famous district in Central London. The acquistion marks the bank's first real estate transaction outside the Middle East and North Africa region.
Global legal practice Squire Sanders has advised on the purchase of Fulham Football Club, acting for the buyer Shahid Khan, CEO of Flex-N-Gate Group and owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars of the US National Football League (NFL).
Corporate specialists at Shoosmiths have advised learndirect on two linked acquisitions of training businesses.
The UK's leading online learning provider, learndirect has bought the shares of TABS Training Ltd. and the business and certain assets of TLE Ltd
The TABS acquisition was led by partner Karen Procter (corporate) with support from partner Karen Fletcher (employment) and associate Lisa On-Iam (real estate); while the TLE purchase was led by partner Mark Dawson (corporate), with partner Sarah Teal (insolvency).
International law firm Pinsent Masons advised EnQuest on the agreement to acquire Tunisian-based offshore assets for a mixture of upfront and contingent consideration totalling a maximum of $249m, as the oil producer expands into Africa for the first time.
UK-headquartered EnQuest will, when the deal completes, acquire 70 per cent of Tunisia's Didon oil field and Zarat permit in the Gulf of Gabes from PA Resources AB.
Real estate and planning specialists at Shoosmiths have helped a client secure a prime development site.
The national law firm advised McKay Securities PLC on its acquisition of the 1.2 acre site at Redhill, in Surrey.
McKay has bought the London Road site from Hodnet Properties for £2.3m.
Partner Alan Corcoran and associate Simon Shoefield (both real estate) were assisted by partner Kirsten Hewson and solicitor Aaron Richardson (both planning).
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.
International law firm DAC Beachcroft has advised Curo on one of the most significant acquisitions ever undertaken by the leading social landlord in a deal set to provide 700 new homes in Bath.
The firm provided strategic advice to Curo on its multi-million pound purchase of former Ministry of Defence (MoD) offices at Foxhill.
Slaughter and May advised a Hong Kong investment vehicle on the acquisition of en bloc retail and office premises on Oxford Street, London W1 from Amsprop, the property investment company of Lord Sugar, for £76 million.
Contacts
Real Estate: David Waterfield (partner), Kate Turner (associate), Rachael Ashton (associate); Tax: William Watson (partner), Venetia Jennings (associate); Hong Kong: Dennis Li (associate)
Slaughter and May advised Legal & General on the acquisition and leaseback of a portfolio of 27 public houses with Marston's Plc for a total purchase price of £69.71 million. The leases to Marston's are for a 40-year term yielding a total annual rent of £3.79 million. The portfolio is comprised of eight long leasehold and 19 freehold public houses, the majority of which are newly built. Marston’s has an option to buy back the properties at nil consideration at the end of the term.
CONTACTS
Tokyo: Leading international law firm Clifford Chance has advised Ascott Residence Trust (Ascott Reit) on its acquisition of a portfolio of 11 rental housing properties in Japan for JPY9.2 billion from ACRJ3 Pte Ltd, an 88.9% owned subsidiary of The Ascott Limited. The properties have a total of 959 apartments located across six cities in Japan.
This deal is part of a wider transaction involving Ascott Reit acquiring, in addition to the Japan properties, three prime serviced residences in China.