Real Estate
Overview
Our Real Estate team is known for its ability to provide commercial and outcome-focused legal advice in a cost-efficient manner.
We primarily act for investors, developers, asset managers and lenders operating in the mid-market. We also have a niche in advising operators in the hospitality, leisure and retail spaces in the West End and nationally.
Our client profile ranges from entrepreneurial businesses and individuals to established corporate investors with an international profile, all of whom benefit from our understanding of the marketplace and network of connections.
We regularly execute deals in challenging timescales and we achieve this with effective communication and by making it our business to understand our clients’ key drivers and objectives.
For information regarding our pricing, click here.
What we do
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Property Lending & Security
We have substantial property lending experience, and our team acts for banks, private lenders and international private equity houses as well as family offices. We provide sophisticated advice on secured property lending for large property assets and developments, and we advise on all aspects of granting corporate security, working with overseas jurisdictions and negotiating senior and mezzanine loan arrangements. Members of our team have been involved in leading cases on the rights of second charge holders,. We also do of course regularly advise investor and developer clients in negotiations with their lenders. -
Commercial Real Estate
We have an excellent reputation in the very competitive field of commercial real estate. Our team regularly deals with high value and complex transactions and we advise on all aspects of commercial property, including:
- Acquisition and disposals
- Development
- Commercial leases for both landlord and tenant
- Renewal of commercial leases
- Restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs, hotels, and leisure facilities such as gymnasiums
- Offices, warehouses, shops and agricultural holdings
- Portfolio sales and purchases
- Secured lending
- Landlord and tenant legislation
- Joint ventures
- All aspects of commercial property litigation including professional negligence claims
Our clients include private investors, entrepreneurs, companies, banks, and other institutions, charities, restaurateurs and retailers. We have experience of working with overseas jurisdictions and extensive experience of resolving disputes using negotiation and mediation in order to achieve the best commercial outcome for our clients.
We work closely with our colleagues in the Corporate and Commercial teams particularly on property development joint ventures, and the property related aspects of corporate acquisitions. Our colleagues can also assist, if required, on the best structures including joint ventures, partnerships, limited liability partnerships, limited companies or simple co-ownership arrangements.
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Retail Property
We specialise in retail property, acting for multiple and single unit operators in the high street and major shopping centres such as Bluewater, Westfield and Whiteleys. Our clients in this sector include chains in jewellery, fashion and accessories, leather goods, galleries, spa facilities, beauticians, hairdressing salons, music stores, mobile phone retailers, bakeries and children’s clothing retailers.
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Hospitality and Leisure Sectors
Our hotel and leisure sector specialists have provided legal services for many years, particularly in and around the West End of London where we have been based for over 40 years.
We understand that this business is a specialist area, and our team can draw on the talent and expertise of the firm’s Corporate and Employment teams to provide a one-stop shop that is prompt and cost-effective.
We have a growing number of clients in the sector and have acted for chains of public houses, Café Rouge, Wagamama (the first sale), well known restaurants, private member clubs and the award winning contemporary luxury hotel in the heart of Covent Garden known as One Aldwych.
We also represent clients in the competitive leisure sector and have accumulated market-leading experience in this area by representing operators such as Flight Club and Putt Shack in connection with their roll-out programmes.
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Residential Real Estate
Buying and selling residential properties can be fraught with difficulties. Whether you are a home-owner or an investor, we are here to help. We guide both domestic and international clients through their transactions, and critically we ensure that all our clients get a proactive and responsive service which can often make all the difference.
As well as providing solid and pragmatic advice, we are well connected in the London residential sector and regularly work with all the leading agents, brokers and lenders.
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Property Dispute Resolution
If litigation is necessary, we work closely with our firm’s Dispute Resolution team to develop strategies to assist our clients right from the outset and we aim to deliver solutions that are commercial and cost efficient. Our lawyers have extensive experience in litigating disputes in the Business and Property Courts as well as across the country in the County Court and other Property Tribunals.
From experience, we appreciate that litigation is often an unwelcome and expensive distraction for any business, property owner, tenant or management company. It can be a drain on management time and resources, so we help our clients through every stage of a dispute and wherever possible seek to resolve matters at an early stage through negotiation or mediation in order to achieve the best commercial outcome.
We advise on a range commercial landlord and tenant matters including recovery of unpaid sums, possession claims, disputes concerning the enforcement of covenants, claims for unauthorised occupation of land, dilapidation disputes and professional negligence issues. We act for a diverse range of landlord and tenant real estate clients including developers, family offices, private investors, institutions, leisure operators and retailers. We also work hand in hand with Insolvency Practitioners on property related litigation matters. We also assist with negotiating disputes relating to property backed lending and in enforcing the rights of second charge holders.
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Client“Simons Muirhead Burton is a fantastic firm. There is a willingness to resolve any issue or query, however small it may be.”
Real Estate Team
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Mark Levine Head of Department
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Alon Domb Partner
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Jodie Druker Associate
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Marilyn Elstow Consultant
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Marios Georgiades Senior Associate
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Asraa Asad Hassaan Noor Senior Associate
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Jonathan Hunter Associate
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David Martin Partner
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Kane Nosworthy Trainee
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David Offenbach Consultant
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Elena Pantelli Partner
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Sarah Quicke Associate
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Kiry Sallangou Partner
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Nicole Slatner Partner
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William Spencer Partner
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Bradley Stylianou Partner
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Nigel Zaoskoufis Legal Director
News
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22nd November 2024 Real Estate
Bullseye! – SMB client Flight Club Darts hit the mark with their latest new venue in Oxford
SMB is thrilled to celebrate the continued success of our client, Flight Club Darts, as they opened the doors to their latest premises in Oxford Westgate Shopping Centre on Friday 22nd November 2024.
Read more -
19th November 2024 Real Estate
SMB appoints new Partner, Bradley Stylianou, in Real Estate team
Following the recent promotion of four new Partners in three of our departments, Simons Muirhead Burton is excited to introduce and highlight the expertise of our newly appointed Partners.
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26th June 2024 Real Estate
Electric Shuffle sparks excitement in Manchester as SMB client goes from strength to strength
After years of planning, designing and building, Electric Shuffle, were pleased to announce that the doors to their latest bar in Manchester opened on 21st June 2024 and SMB are delighted to have advised on their new lease.
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