A team of lawyers based at Mills & Reeve's Manchester office, including corporate partner Chris Ross and real estate partner Caroline Hanratty, acted alongside a number of other law firms for GB Group in the successful financing for the project. The hotel, which will be developed and then owned as an investment by GB Group, will be operated under the Hilton brand.

Chris Ross commented: “It is really pleasing to see the completion of the funding element of the project and witness the start of the construction phase. The GB Group is a truly innovative solutions provider, offering its clients unique property and construction solutions in a variety of sectors, and we are delighted to be one of their key advisers.”

Chris and Caroline initially became involved in the project during the original acquisition of the site in 2008 and have worked closely with GB Group's hotels director Brandon Riley and finance director Mike Lethaby through various phases of the development.

The completion of the Portland Crescent deal follows hot on the heels of the site acquisition and funding of a new Premier Inn in Sunderland by GB Group on which Mills & Reeve also advised.