News & Events | News

Thursday 31st July 2008

European law firm SJ Berwin LLP's real estate division has advised on an agreement for Marks and Spencer for a 30 year lease to pre-let 160,000 sq ft of space at the first phase of European Land & Property’s Merchant Square scheme, Paddington, W2. The space represents expansion area for Marks & Spencer’s Head office facility, which is located next door at Waterside House.  

The landmark building is scheduled for completion in 2010 and is part of the ongoing development of Merchant Square by European Land. The deal represents one of the largest office lettings transacted in the current market.

Partner William Boss led the SJ Berwin team, assisted by associates Mark Mallon and Angus Evers. Partner Julia Court advised on Construction and partner Duncan Field on Planning matters.

James Madden, partner of Nabarro, assisted by partner Kevin Stimpson and associate Sergio Vella advised the developer.

For further information please contact:

William Boss, Partner on +44 (0)20 7111 2832, email william.boss@sjberwin.com  

Karen Roberts, PR Consultant on +44 (0)20 7111 2578, email karen.roberts@sjberwin.com

Notes to Editors:

SJ Berwin LLP

• On 1 June 2005 SJ Berwin LLP, an English limited liability partnership, took over the business of the SJ Berwin general partnership.  SJ Berwin LLP or an affiliated undertaking has an office in Berlin, Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris and Turin.
• SJ Berwin LLP was named ‘UK Firm of the Year’ at the Global Chambers Awards 2007 and Private Equity Team of the Year at the Financial News Legal Awards 2007. 
• SJ Berwin's Real Estate Division totals 150 staff  in London of which 23 are partners (3 of which are tax partners), and over 70 associates, encompassing the disciplines of Commercial Real Estate, Construction, Planning & Environment, Property Litigation, Real Estate Funds and Tax.  In addition there are 3 partners specialising in real estate in our Continental European offices.  There is an increasing emphasis on cross departmental activity with related areas of Banking and Corporate and also cross border / pan European real estate work, with our European offices.  The division acts for blue chip clients including British Land, Royal Bank of Scotland, the Hilton Group, Brixton plc, AXA, The Crown Estate, Marks & Spencer and Gazeley.
• The Real Estate Team was Legal Business Real Estate Team of the Year 2005.  It was also named "Real Estate Team of the Year" in the Lawyer Magazine Awards 2004, following its advice on the RBS/Canary Wharf transaction, the highest-value property investment transaction in the UK in 2004.  It was shortlisted Real Estate team of the Year in this year’s British Legal awards.
• Revenue from Real Estate represents approximately 21% of the firm's total revenue in London.