After five years of controversy and legal debates the Commercial Court of Paris confirmed on 7 April the end of the safeguard procedure of HoLD, which is the owner of Coeur Defense property development.

Clifford Chance advised Bank of America Merrill Lynch on the EUR935 million refinancing structure of Coeur Defense, for Lone Star, thereby permitting the end of the safeguard procedure of Coeur Defense.

International law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has advised The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC (RBS) as senior lender on an acquisition financing to an equity consortium led by Venn Partners LLP (Venn), a London based specialised credit investment boutique. Freshfields has also advised RBS, as arranger and manager, on a subsequent capital markets refinancing of the initial acquisition debt.

The financing has enabled the Venn consortium to purchase a portfolio of Dutch residential mortgage loans from GE Artesia Bank (GE).

Jones Day advised Hansteen Holdings PLC, a European industrial REIT, in connection with the refinancing of its German real estate portfolio through two loan facilities in the aggregate loan amount of €343 million (US$472 million).

The Company’s UniCredit loan has been refinanced with a €235 million five-year facility provided by a consortium of lenders including Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen Girozentrale (Helaba), Natixis Pfandbriefbank AG, SEB AG and various entities managed or advised by AXA REIM SGP.

Ashurst advised a banking consortium comprising Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen Girozentrale (Helaba), SEB AG, Natixis Pfandbriefbank AG, NATIXIS S.A. and funds managed by AXA REIM SGP on granting a loan for refinancing a real estate portfolio managed by Hansteen PLC. The portfolio comprises 45 logistic sites. The loan was used for repaying a loan granted by Unicredit Bank AG.

Trowers & Hamlins has advised long-standing client GI Partners and Rowan on securing a £70 million loan facility from Blackstone Mortgage Trust.  The loan will fund the second phase of refurbishment at the 165,000 sq ft Midtown property Aldwych House, which GI Partners and Rowan bought in 2011.

The partners have already spent £7 million renovating parts of the building to provide a new reception and entrance hall, balconies, and atrium, plus the refurbishment of the fourth floor.

Ashurst has advised the respective bank syndicates on two financings of Prime Office AG (known as Herkules portfolio and Homer portfolio). Ashurst has advised Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG (pbb), Société Générale, Natixis Pfandbriefbank AG as well as the AXA Group on the refinancing of a real estate portfolio comprising 38 real properties of Prime Office AG. The so-called "Herkules" portfolio consists mostly of office properties in, inter alia, Bremen, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Cologne. The rental space includes a total of approximately 400,000 sqm.

Wragge & Co's Banking and Finance team has assisted long-standing client Sanctuary Group in the securing of a £350 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The landmark deal is the first time that the EIB has agreed a direct loan to the social housing sector.

Pinsent Masons has advised European Investment Bank (EIB) on a £350 million debt facility for housing association Sanctuary Group. The agreement will help finance Sanctuary’s development programme involving the construction and renovation of over 20,000 homes across the UK.

Formed in 1969, Sanctuary Group manages more than 96,000 homes across England and Scotland, providing general rented, sheltered and home ownership accommodation.

Ashurst has advised Nomura as senior and mezzanine lender on the £237 million refinancing of Camden Market and Stables Market in north London. The facilities refinance debt provided by IBRC (formerly known as Anglo Irish Bank) and provide a bridge to a major redevelopment of part of the site.

Founded more than 90 years ago, R Soper employs more than 300 staff and specialises in supplying fabric-based home furnishings such as blinds, curtains and furniture coverings to major retailers.

The funding deal with Lloyds Bank includes a £6m invoice discounting line, a property loan, and a plant and machinery loan, as well as a letter of credit facility.

A team from the Manchester office of law firm Irwin Mitchell advised Lloyds Bank, led by banking and finance partner Dean Gormley, with associate Vanessa Rickard leading on real estate aspects.