Global law firm Ashurst has advised ARA Dunedin and ARA Asset Management Limited (“ARA”) in connection with the acquisition of Marble Arch Place, London comprising a newly-developed mixed-used asset acquired from Almacantar for £280 million.
NH Investment & Securities underwrote the majority of the equity along with a co-investment from ARA.
The Ashurst Team was led by partners David Jones (Head of Global Real Estate Capital Markets) and Tim Gummer (Real Estate Structuring and Tax), together with senior associates Francesca Downes (Corporate Real Estate) and John Arey (Real Estate), partner Sarah Watkinson and senior associate Stuart Blacklock (Real Estate Finance), partner Simon Swann and associate Laura Burt (Tax), partner Matthew Bool and associate Lauren Hutchinson (Construction), partner Claire Dutch (Planning) alongside a multi-disciplinary Ashurst team. In Luxembourg, partner Isabelle Lentz, senior associate Geoffrey Delamarre, associate Pierre Joubert and director Chiara Bardini (Luxembourg Corporate and Tax) and partner Fabien Debroise, senior associate Fiona Keating and associate Anna Kozakiewicz (Luxembourg Finance) advised.
David Jones and Tim Gummer said:
“We are delighted Ashurst’s multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional teams assisted the ARA Dunedin and ARA Asset Management teams with this complex and iconic London acquisition in a genuine team effort from all parties and advisers concerned. We wish ARA Dunedin, ARA and their investors the best of success in the future with this trophy investment asset and look forward to continuing to build the relationship further in the future.”
Roun Barry, CEO of ARA Dunedin said:
“We are delighted to have completed another complex transaction in London as part of our strategy of acquiring best-in-class assets. Over the past year, we have acquired Nova Estate in Victoria and Minster Building in the City for our partners, leveraging our extensive experience in the UK to close on deals despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic. The Marble Arch Place is an asset which we believe will be transformative for the location. The view of Hyde Park and the tenant line up will stand the test of time.”
