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A Look Back at 2025: Highlights from our Real Estate & Construction Division

Last year was a rewarding one for our Real Estate and Construction Division as we advised clients on strategic transactions, helped them mitigate risk and, in some cases, fought their corner.

We remain committed to helping our clients achieve their desired outcomes and are proud of the many ways we supported them throughout 2025.

Our Division works across a wide range of sectors spanning the full breadth of real estate and construction. Naturally, given the nature of our clients, many of our deal highlights sit within our key focus areas, including the:

Alongside these notable work highlights, we recognise how crucial it is to stay up to the minute with sector knowledge and market insight so we can equip our clients with support and informed legal advice. 

Below you will find a selection of some of our work highlights from 2025, together with examples of our engagement across these sectors. These reflect a diverse range of industry activity, and there will be plenty more to come in 2026, so keep an eye out for opportunities you may want to get involved with.

We look forward to the year ahead.

Living Sector

  • We acted for a property joint venture in a complex purchase of land and onward sale of 47 PRS units forming part of an urban mixed-use regeneration scheme to a single-family rental housing provider.  As part of these arrangements, our client has entered into a development funding agreement, under which the purchaser will fund the construction of these units.  We are also advising our client on the construction contracts and the internal JV management arrangements. 
  • We advised a global real estate client in connection to securing planning permission to demolish a vacant warehouse and create a vibrant mixed-use scheme with nearly 600 student beds. After a successful appeal before the Planning Inspectorate, approval was granted. The re-development will, in the Council’s own words, be a catalyst for change in the relevant area, by not only transforming an under-utilised space, but by also providing local economic benefits through construction related jobs and training, and a payment of over £20 million to support the delivery of affordable housing.
  • We advised Dominus on securing planning permission to reimagine 65 Fleet Street—the iconic former Freshfields offices—into a vibrant mixed-use destination centred on student living. This landmark development will deliver 850 student rooms, create a new cultural space for the St Bride Foundation, and enhance access to the historic Whitefriars Crypt. As a key part of the City’s Destination City Plan, it promises to breathe new life into one of London’s most celebrated sites.

Activity

  • This year we launched a new publication “LODGE: a living sector update”. This is a bi-annual newsletter compiled together lawyers from Construction and Real Estate. The editions capture key insights impacting the living sector, such as Renters’ Rights Act, Build-to-Rent and private student accommodation, Building Safety and a lookahead for the year of 2026.
  • On November 6, Real Estate Disputes Senior Associate, Lauren Fraser, was a guest speaker on the Renter’s Rights Act 2025 panel discussion at the Association for Rental Living’s (ARL) 10th Annual conference.  
  • On November 19, we hosted an in-person panel discussion with the Association for Rental Living (ARL), featuring senior-level living sector and construction industry leaders on the theme of “Building Safety: Moving from Compliance to Competency”.
  • On November 11, Real Estate Partner Mark White and Construction Partner Francis Ho provided expert commentary on key market developments in the UK purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector as part of Simon Green’s (Head of Real Estate Asia & Middle East) presentation in Singapore with StuRents and Allsop. Their insights highlighted the impact of Government initiatives, including the Building Safety Act and the Immigration White Paper, on investor strategies.

Life Sciences

  • As primary advisors to BioMed, we assisted them on several exciting new projects this year as well as continuing to advise on their portfolio generally.
    • We advised BioMed on the final lettings at their recent development at 960 Babraham, which provides over 40,000 sq ft of laboratory space. One of the lettings was to a life sciences tenant who has recently raised significant backing from both Cambridge and US backers, highlighting our clients ability to quickly lease state of the art wet and dry lab space ready for immediate occupation.  
    • We assisted with BioMed’s latest planning application to extend and convert a research and development building on a science, technology and bio-pharmaceutical park in Cambridgeshire. The building was in need of modernisation and the development will provide a striking building offering sustainable, efficient and flexible laboratory and office space. The structure of the existing building will be retained to release savings in embodied carbon whilst habitats will be provided to provide biodiversity net gain. We negotiated the legal agreement which contains bespoke provisions to facilitate the delivery of biodiversity units both on and off site, together with their maintenance for a 30-year period, as well as various financial contributions to mitigate the development’s impact on local amenity.

Activity

  • We launched our first ever life sciences real estate podcast miniseries “Building BioHubs”, where we invite experts to discuss industry trends in the real estate and life sciences sector, focusing on hot topics and recent developments.
  • On January 14, Planning Senior Associate, Rachael Davidson, was a panellist at the Westminster Health Forum policy conference on the “Policy priorities, sector development and making the UK an attractive location for the life sciences industry” panel.
  • Real Estate Senior Associate, Lynsey Inglis, was quoted by the Estates Gazette on trends in life sciences real estate investment in the UK.
  • Lynsey Inglis and Sarah Wigington wrote for Green Street News on the comeback of life sciences and opportunities for investors.

Great Estates

  • We advised The Pollen Estate on a restructure and strategic joint venture with Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), the investment arm of Norway’s central bank, under the banner of Project Nectar. This landmark transaction saw NBIM inject an additional £127 million into the Estate, reinforcing its long-term growth and prestige.
  • We advised The Howard de Walden Estate on the landmark £17 million sale of 15–19 Cavendish Place to the Bridge Group, a significant transaction in central London.
  • We acted for The Meyrick Estate in relation to a sizeable claim for forfeiture of a commercial property involving breaches of covenant. The property was a severely dilapidated and unsafe hotel in Bournemouth (with a Closure Order having been issued by the Council). We worked with the Estate to ensure they could forfeit the lease, secure the property and take steps to protect it while proceedings were ongoing. At a trial of the former tenant’s relief from forfeiture application, the Estate was successful, with relief from forfeiture being refused. The former tenant’s numerous appeals have all been unsuccessful. At the trial on quantum in May 2025, the Estate secured Judgment for in excess of £1.25m (including indemnity costs Orders against the former tenant).

Activity

  • On September 10, we co-hosted the Estates: Next Generation drinks event with the Bedford Estates, bringing together individuals across various generations within London's Great Estates to network and share fresh, diverse perspectives.
  • In mid-2025 we published our “Great Estates and the Shifting Legal Landscape” half-year review, highlighting the most significant legal developments on the horizon and their potential impact on the great estates sector.
  • Every year we co-host an Annual Great Estates Forum for our clients and contacts from various London Great Estates, facilitating networking and shared learnings.

Logistics

  • We advised our developer client, on a significant £7.5 million forward fund acquisition. The development site in Knowsley will be transformed into an impressive circa 60,000 sq ft distribution space, which will compliment the client’s existing assets at the Business Park. This is an exciting project that promises to enhance the client’s portfolio and strengthen their presence in the region.
  • We advised a large Pan – European Logistics Fund on several construction projects involving the design and construction of new warehouse space, including the £15 million re-construction of the parcel centre that had suffered severe damage in the Midlands, the construction of a new warehouse unit in Midlands and the construction of three new industrial units on a site in the North West with a total square footage of just under 300,000.
  • We advised a real estate investment manager on the purchase of two distribution warehouses for nearly £30m as an income producing investment with a planned CapEx programme on lease expiry. The client used debt to finance the purchase and we successfully navigated this requirement in the short period between exchange and completion.

Activity

  • We published the first edition of our bi-annual Logistics newsletter, LOGIC.: Logistics, Operations, Growth, Innovation and Collaboration. This newsletter includes updates on the logistics sectors and the impact on the UK market over the next quarter.
  • Several of our Real Estate Partners contributed to the “How to make the UK an AI leader” industry report co-written with Copper, Tech UK and the Data Centre Trade Association (DCA). This industry report covers the UK's urgent need to drive growth in the fifth utility, data.
  • Real Estate Partner, Eddie Richards, attended Shedmasters, one of the largest logistics and industrial property sector conferences bringing together the most influential developers, investors, occupiers, agents, and advisors shaping the logistics landscape across Europe.
  • We confirmed our sponsorship and attendance at Property Week’s Industrial & Logistics Supply Chain conference on 26 February 2026. We hope to connect with you there!

Construction & Infrastructure

  • We advised Derwent London on a landmark pre-construction services agreement with Multiplex for its ambitious 50 Baker Street project — set to deliver 204,000 sq ft of premium office space, vibrant ground-floor retail, and 17 luxury residential flats in the heart of London.
  • We advised Derwent London on the successful completion of its transformative 25 Baker Street development in Q3 2025 — a 298,000 sq ft mixed-use scheme featuring 218,000 sq ft of cutting-edge office space, 28,000 sq ft of retail, and 52,000 sq ft of residential (including 41 private and 10 affordable homes). Notably, this was Westminster’s first transitional development under the new Building Safety regime.
  • We advised Vistry Group on negotiating four major building contracts for the creation of 583 new homes at the Patchworks site in Waltham Forest — a significant step in delivering high-quality housing and revitalising the local community.
  • We advised United (South) Living in relation to the Wenlock Building, a mixed use residential and commercial development at 50-56 and 60 Wharf Road, London N1in which the client had been engaged as the contractor. In 2024, we issued High Court proceedings in relation to the remediation of the Velfac façade system and the structural steelwork at levels 6 – 9 of the Property. The defendants in this matter are Dovista UK Limited (the designer and supplier of the Velfac system), Dantaag Limited (the installer of the Velfac system), and Hawkins Brown Limited (the architect).

Activity

  • On April 2, we hosted a Building Safety Panel discussion chaired by David Savage, Head of our Construction, Engineering & Projects Group, with guests Peter John OBE (Terrapin Group, former leader of Southwark Council), Andreas Vassiliou (Vistry), Matt Massey (Derwent London), Amanda Clack (RICS) and Amy-Jane Farr (Workman LLP). Centred on the context of the Grenfell Phase 2 Inquiry Report, our panel discussion continued conversations surrounding the new building control regime arising from the Building Safety Act 2022, Labour Government commitment to build 1.5 million homes.
  • Construction, Engineering and Projects Associate, Tegan Johnson, was awarded the City Century Qualified Solicitor of the Year. City Century is a collaboration of over 50 City of London law firms aiming to ignite and revolutionise the legal profession by inspiring talented individuals to explore city solicitor degree apprenticeships.  

Regeneration & Strategic Land

  • We advised Dandara on several significant projects this year, including the acquisition of land for a significant residential scheme that was recently approved in Essex. This scheme will comprise of 272 new homes: 109 affordable properties, 98 private homes and 65 private rented sector units.
  • We advised Higgins joint venture with William Pears Group for the development of Somerleyton Road in Brixton.
  • We advised Bellway on several significant projects this year:
    • We advised Bellway Barking Riverside on the same of its first PRS units at its flagship long term regeneration scheme to LRC, a leading institutional across the UK, Ireland, and continental Europe
    • We advised Bellway on the purchase of the factory and the partnering agreement with Donaldson Timber Systems. Bellway are opening their own Timber Frame facility in Mansfield, under the brand “Bellway Homes Space”.
    • We advised Bellway on the acquisition of Phase 4 of the Sheasby Park development for Bellway, alongside Bellway’s acquisition of Evans Group’s interest in the Fradley Residential joint venture, bringing the development 100% into Bellway’s ownership. 

Highlights

  • Real Estate Partner Kim Lalli was shortlisted as a finalist for Leader of the Year – Financial and Professional Services at the Inspiring Women in Property Awards—an incredible recognition of leadership and impact in the industry.
  • We proudly marked our 21st consecutive year at the Housebuilder Brain Game—a thrilling pub quiz evening that not only tests industry knowledge but raises vital funds for Marie Curie. A fantastic tradition that combines fun with a great cause!
  • 8th consecutive year sponsoring Housebuilder’s prestigious Housing Market Intelligence (HMI) Conference in London—an event that brings together the brightest minds shaping the future of UK housing.
  • The Regeneration & Strategic Land team have been busy Dragon Boat racing for charity this year with our housebuilder clients. On September 18 we participated with Bellway at Grendon Lakes, Northampton, in aid of Cancer Research where overall £18,226 was raised for the charity. Then on September 26, we joined Cala for their first charity Dragon Boat racing in Ripley, Woking, in aid of Samaritans charity. 
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