Ed is a Partner in the Commercial Real Estate department with over 15 years’ experience. He has specialist expertise in high value investment deals and complex development projects across all sectors. He has also developed a particular expertise in the alternative residential sector including PBSA and Build-to-Rent. In addition, Ed is highly experienced in landlord and tenant matters, particularly on significant pre-let agreements.
Ed acts for a broad spectrum of clients ranging from listed corporates and UK and overseas property companies to developers and private investors. His clients include Derwent London PLC, Endurance Land LLP, Nan Fung Group, O&H Properties, GWM Capital, NP Investment Management, Watkin Jones PLC and specialist student developer Fusion Students.
His recent highlights include advising Derwent London on the pre-letting of the Brunel Building in Paddington to (amongst others) Sony Pictures Entertainment, Premier League and Paymentsense and the ongoing redevelopment of the Network Building, W1 (which is targeting a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating and NABERS 4 Star rating). Ed also acted for Watkin Jones PLC on the sale and forward funding of the build-to-rent development at the Titanic Quarter, Belfast, and advised Hong Kong based investor Nan Fung Group and developer Endurance Land on two pre-lets totalling 114,000 sq ft within The Bailey in the City of London. He recently advised student accommodation provider Fusion Students on the sale and forward funding of a student portfolio to US investor Cain International and on the new £210 million student accommodation site at Brent Cross Town, forming part of Related Argent's regeneration scheme in North West London.
Ed is recommended in his field in Chambers & Partners. Chambers notes “Ed is exceptional and very good at problem-solving.” and “he is a fantastic communicator”.
Key Experience
- Advising Derwent London PLC in relation to the acquisition, disposal, development and letting of a number of properties within their London portfolio including the pre-letting of the Brunel Building in Paddington and the redevelopment of the Network Building, W1.
- Acting for Hong Kong based investor Nan Fung Group and developer Endurance Land on the pre-lets within The Bailey (16 Old Bailey) including 93,000 sq ft over eight floors to IPG Mediabrands.
- Acting for Watkin Jones PLC, one of the UK’s leading developers and managers in the PBSA and residential build-to-rent sectors, on the £155 million build-to-rent and affordable housing development at Plots 9, 11 and 11a, Titanic Quarter, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Titanic Quarter is one of Europe’s largest urban waterfront regeneration projects and comprises historic maritime landmarks, film studios, apartments, a riverside entertainment district and the world’s largest Titanic-themed attraction.
- Advising Watkin Jones PLC on a portfolio sale of five PBSA schemes (totalling over 2,000 beds) to a PE fund which included three development schemes to be built out on a forward funding basis and two standing investment assets.
- Advising Watkin Jones PLC on the forward funding of a mixed-use scheme in Hove with a major UK pension fund, and separately on the forward sale of a BTR development in Leicester to an institutional asset manager.
- Advising specialist student accommodation provider Fusion Students on numerous transactions, including on the sale and forward funding of the £235 million PBSA portfolio to US investor, Cain International, and on the circa £315 million sale of their 'Kinetic portfolio' comprising four purpose-built student accommodation assets. Most recently, Ed advised on the acquisition of a site in Brent Cross – Fusion's first London development – which will be the location of a new £210 million student accommodation scheme forming part of Related Argent's new Brent Cross Town.
- Advising O&H Properties on the acquisition, disposal, development and letting of a number of properties within their UK portfolio. This has included the redevelopment of 161-162 New Bond Street, which is now Christian Dior's flagship store in London.
- Acting for specialist PRS investor and operator Fizzy Living on various forward funding schemes including the circa £100 million forward funding and purchase of a 292 unit residential scheme at Silvertown Way in Canning Town. We have also acted on the forward funding of two residential towers in Lewisham which forms part of the larger Lewisham Gateway Scheme and which involves the complete redevelopment of Lewisham City Centre.
- Acting for The Office Group (TOG), who have agreed to take a 20-year lease of 68,600 sq. ft. office space at Meyer Bergman’s £300 million Borough Yards scheme on the site of the former Vinopolis wine bar. The development comprises a mixed-use scheme of over 197,000 sq ft, which takes in the Vinopolis venue and neighbouring sites in and around London Bridge’s Victorian railway arches. Ed also acted for TOG on the pre-let of floors 10-13 at 15 Water Street, Wood Wharf, London, E14, from the Canary Wharf Group with an annual rent of circa £2.5 million.
- Acting on various matters in connection with the development of the London 2012 Athletes Olympic Village and the sale of the 1,379 affordable homes for £268 million.
Career History
Partner, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Legal Director, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Managing Associate, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Associate, Mishcon de Reya
Solicitor, Mishcon de Reya
Solicitor, Slaughter and May
Trainee, Slaughter and May
Nottingham Law School, LPC
University of Sheffield, LLB Law
Calday Grange Grammar School