Andy leads the firm’s Global Real Estate practice. He has extensive experience in the acquisition, financing, development, letting and disposal of all types of commercial real estate both in the UK and Continental Europe. Work highlights Ranked in the Hall of Fame for Real Estate in Legal 500, Andy has led on many major real estate transactions. Highlights include advising: Development transactions: Lendlease on: its joint venture with Starwood Capital to acquire the £3.5bn Silvertown Quays, London urban renewal project; the £1.9bn Birmingham Smithfield City Centre development covering 17 hectares; and the £2bn ongoing redevelopment of Elephant & Castle, London, comprising 300,000 sqm of new build and mixed use development. Shuaa Group on several projects including its £370m acquisition and subsequent development of New Scotland Yard, London. Investment deals: Ho Bee Land on their £718m acquisition of The Scalpel landmark office building in the City of London. A major pan-European core fund as it expands across Europe. a consortium member on its investment in a €6.4 billion global portfolio of approximately 900 hotels. Lettings: Glencore on the pre-let of their HQ premises in Hanover Square. Sale and leasebacks: several clients on sale and leaseback transactions (including leasehold liability transfers and virtual assignments), including a major financial institution on a large multi-jurisdictional structured sale and leaseback.
England - London • Real estate
Linklaters LLP
Offering ‘a one-stop shop in getting large-scale transactions over the line with exceptional results’, Linklaters LLP acts for domestic and international developers, investors and occupiers on distressed real estate and regeneration, as well as real estate M&A transactions. Global head of real estate Andy Bruce is geared to handle disposals, development, financing and letting mandates, while Patrick Plant acts for clients on an array of international real estate projects. Siobhan Burton’s practice encompasses acquisition, financing, development, letting and disposal of offices, retail, student accommodation, logistics and mixed-use schemes. Martin Elliott excels in transactions pertaining to mixed-use development, offices, shopping centres and retail, while Matthew Plaskow and Tom Watkins are primarily engaged in real estate M&A. Kathryn Griffiths is another key contact in the group.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The Linklaters team is very knowledgeable and professional.’
- ‘Andy Bruce leads a competent and committed investment team.’
- ‘Matt Plaskow is incredibly bright, calm, knowledgable and hard working. A fantastic asset.’
- ‘Fast and organised, the team is able to mobilise on any real estate investment opportunity.’
- ‘Andy Bruce is an anchor for real estate investors. He is the one to rely on in order to drive the deal alongside investors business team and land it safely to closing while uncompromising on protection of clients' interest.’
- ‘No-fuss engagement. Down-to-earth and easy to communicate with. They provide timely advice, are very accommodating and are extremely well-versed with commercial aspects. A joy to work with.’
- ‘Very collegial and investor friendly practice.’
Key clients
- Boreal Investment Management
- Cale Street Partners
- CBRE Investment Management
- City Developments Limited
- GIC & Greystar
- Ho Bee Land Ltd
- Obayashi Corporation
- UBS
Work highlights
- Advised City Developments Limited (CDL) on the purchase of the landmark 23-acre St Katharine Docks.
- Acted for Ho Bee Land Limited on their share purchase of the Jersey company which owns the freehold of The Scalpel landmark HQ building in the City of London.
- Advised a consortium comprised of GIC and Greystar on its acquisition of the Student Roost student accommodation business from Brookfield.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Rising stars
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Andy Bruce