Your challenges
With student numbers continuing to rise, many universities are looking to expand their residential accommodation offerings. With many and varied demands on budgets, and credit remaining difficult to obtain, alternative financing options need to be explored. As student accommodation is increasingly viewed by funders and investors as an attractive asset class in its own right, public private partnerships are becoming increasingly common.
Achieving your ambitions
We are acknowledged as the market leaders advising universities, and those contracting with them, on student accommodation projects.
We can help you with every aspect of your project. We have worked with clients on bond financed PFI style transactions through to demand risk projects, estate transfers, nomination arrangements and, increasingly, on more novel structures involving joint venture charitable vehicles.
We have advised on some of the largest transactions in the sector, such as the University of Hertfordshire's project for 1,600 new residences and a sports centre and Aston University’s £215 million redevelopment of its entire residential estate.
The strength you need
Our dedicated projects team of fourteen lawyers advises universities, bidders and funders on project structuring and the procurement process (including competitive dialogue) through to financial close and operation. In addition, you will have access to one of the largest education teams in the UK, including specialists in employment, tax, real estate and constitutional issues.
Lawyers you can trust
Our team is very highly rated by Chambers and Legal 500 and we are recognised as the market leaders for legal advice to both universities and bidders. We have acted on over 50 projects in the sector and are at the forefront of developing new structures for projects.