Stephen Hughes

Stephen is Chair of the Real Estate department with over 20 years' experience. His expertise lies in commercial real estate work including high value portfolio acquisitions and disposals, development work, joint ventures and structuring.

He acts for a broad range of UK and overseas clients including Delancey, Shaftesbury Capital, Almacantar and The London Business School. His transactions often lead to his involvement with a cross-departmental team providing advice on associated tax, finance and corporate issues.

Recent matters include advising Delancey, Qatari Diar, APG and Oxford Properties on the purchase and long-term management of East Village in east London. Stephen also acts for Shaftesbury Capital in relation to its Covent Garden portfolio.

Stephen is recommended as a Leader in his field in Chambers & Partners 2025 and as a Leading Individual in Legal 500 2025. Chambers has noted Stephen is "a very approachable, no-nonsense and practical lawyer" who "gets to the point and just focuses on the issues at hand".

Key Experience

• Acting for Delancey, Qatari Diar, APG and Oxford Properties on the purchase and long-term management of the East Village, Stratford.
• Advising the Embassy of Italy in London on the acquisition of Grade II listed 4-5 Buckingham Gate London SW1 from Sidra Capital. The Palace Gate is the closest commercial office space to Buckingham Palace and City of Westminster has approved plans for the property to accommodate the Embassy of Italy in London as well as the Italian Institute of Culture and Italian Trade Agency.
• Advising a joint venture between Delancey Real Estate and Aware Super on the acquisitions of 20 Manchester Square from Invesco Real Estate and 11-12 Hanover Square from Aviva and PSP Investments.
• Representing Shaftesbury Capital in relation to its Covent Garden portfolio.
• Advising Almacantar on the Sale of Grade II listed CAA House and 1 Kemble Street, two inter-connected office buildings covering almost 300,000 sq ft, to Seaforth Land for £165 million, and on the sale of 125 Shaftesbury Avenue to a South Korean purchaser for circa £270 million.
• Acting for Capco (now known as Shaftesbury Capital) on the sale of the Empress State Building to The Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime for £250 million.
• Acting for the joint venture between Delancey 's DV4 client fund and the LRC Group on the sale of the iconic Royal Mint Court site to the People 's Republic of China.

Career History

Partner, Chair of Real Estate, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Partner, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Partner, SJ Berwin LLP
Partner, Olswang LLP
Solicitor, Olswang LLP
Qualified, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP