The Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner real estate finance team regularly advises both domestic and international clients, including real estate investment managers, asset managers, and global banks, on market-leading real estate financing transactions regarding complex real estate assets, such as commercial skyscrapers, residential towers, and park developments. The team is headed up by Naveen Vijh, a seasoned partner with over twenty-five years of experience in the real estate sector. A key choice for leading debt funds, recent engagements for Gordon McMillan and Benedict West, who was promoted to partner in January 2024, include refinancings on large-scale residential properties. Claire Watson brings high-level expertise in office towers and logistic developments, while Payam Yoseflavi has vast experience in a wide range of transactions secured on real estate assets, including senior, mezzanine, and Islamic finance transactions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The BCLP real estate team I have worked with offers exceptional expertise, professionalism, and dedication in terms of English law. They consistently provide thorough and effective legal guidance, ensuring successful outcomes for complex real estate transactions.’

  • ‘Benedict West is a pleasure to work with. He always keeps you apprised of the status of the transaction and ensures key transaction milestones are met.'

  • ‘BCLP have a top quality team. They are extremely responsive and great at providing dedicated senior resourcing. They are excellent at framing legal issues in an easy to digest way and suggesting commercial solutions.’

  • ‘Payam Yoseflavi is superb. I can always trust him to get the job done in a straightforward, no-fuss way. ’

  • ‘Payam Yoseflavi has high levels of customer service. Composed and knowledgeable, in the detail and hard-working.'

  • 'Naveen Vijh brings high levels of credibility and authority to discussions. Pragmatic and a solution finder.’
  • ‘Depth of experience in the UK construction market.’

  • 'Attention to detail and lots of partner time.'

Key clients

  • AIG Asset Management
  • Aviva Investors
  • AXA Investment Management
  • Barclays
  • Brookfield Asset Management
  • Cheyne Capital
  • Carlyle Group
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Hines
  • Ho Bee Land
  • HSBC
  • JPMorgan
  • KKR
  • NatWest
  • Oaktree Capital
  • Tristan Capital Partners

Work highlights

  • Advised JPM on a £525 million facility in connection with three BTR properties, known as Canada Gardens, Ferrum and Madison; and the London Design Outlet at Quintain’s Wembley Park development.
  • Advised Ho Bee Land, the leading Singapore-based real estate company, its refinancing of the prestigious Grade A office tower at 52 Lime Street in London.
  • Advised Riverstone on a £143 million senior loan facility from Cheyne Capital to finance the development of a 109-apartment later-living scheme on The Bishops Avenue.

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.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Naveen Vijh

Other key lawyers

Benedict West, Claire Watson, Gordon McMillan, Payam Yoseflavi