The Real Estate Investment Team acts for leading investment managers, institutional investors (and high net worth individuals and families) on the acquisition, disposal, funding and asset management of investment fund portfolios across all sectors.
Key clients include Westbrook Partners, M7 Real Estate Ltd and Kennedy Wilson. The Real Estate Investment Team currently manages over 160 estates across the UK, comprising c.1,100 tenants and c.8.5m sq ft of space.
A typical transaction involves the acquisition of multi-let portfolio assets and subsequently working with our clients to implement asset management strategies from unit sales, lease restructuring and covenant enforcement to small and large scale refurbishments and redevelopments, incorporating specialist advice on planning, construction, property litigation and 1954 Act strategy in addition to general landlord and tenant matters.
The Team has extensive experience of dealing with high-value portfolios across the UK on behalf of some of the most respected and prestigious real estate investors globally. Many of the lawyers in the team have practiced at magic circle and US law firms and understand that transactions need to be managed in a timely and efficient manner without over-lawyering.
Our Experience
M7
Birketts advised long-term client, M7 Real Estate, on the sale of three UK retail warehouse assets on behalf of the M7 Box+II fund to British Land. The deal, worth more than £45m, marks the conclusion of the group’s asset management strategy for the trio of sites. In a separate deal, the Team also advised M7 on the sale of a £62m UK multi let industrial portfolio to Pictet Alternative Advisors and Marchmont Investment Management.
Cambridgeshire County Council
Birketts advised Cambridgeshire County Council on its acquisition of a Tesco Superstore at Cheddar’s Lane off Newmarket Road in Cambridge. As the 22nd largest company in the UK, Tesco PLC’s highly successful Cheddar’s Lane branch comprises a 2.8 hectare site and is home to a purpose-built supermarket building complete with parking for 530 cars.
Westbrook Partners
Birketts advised affiliates of Westbrook Partners (Westbrook) on the acquisition of a large portfolio of light industrial estates and trade counters located across the UK for a value in excess of £100m. Birketts worked alongside Allen & Overy LLP and were engaged in all aspects of the property diligence and transaction implementation.