We understand the drivers underpinning the success of data centre projects
At Forsters, our cross-disciplinary Industrial and logistics team works with investors, developers, operators and landowners to deliver the full lifecycle of data centre assets – from site assembly to planning to construction, leasing and financing, delivering data centre projects that are commercially robust, resilient, and future‑proof.
Whether acting on hyperscale builds, edge facilities, colocation centres or repurposing industrial premises for digital infrastructure, we understand the drivers that underpin the success of data centre projects: resilience, scalability, sustainability and connectivity.
Track record
Acquisition of a brownfield site for a data centre development
We are advising a client on the acquisition and redevelopment of a strategic brownfield site for a data centre development, targeting hyperscale tenancy. The project involves a multi-phase build-out with an anticipated gross development value of £150 million and a planned IT capacity of ~500MW. This landmark scheme positions our client at the forefront of the UK’s data centre market and reflects our growing expertise in supporting complex, high-value data centre projects.
Complex planning for a large multi-let industrial site
We acted for an institutional fund client on the conditional sale, and complex planning agreement, in respect of a large multi-let industrial site for development as a datacentre. The site will act as a multi-unit data centre facility with ancillary vehicle access and parking, service yards, loading docks and administration/office space with an anticipated total internal area of 699,654 sq ft, with an assumed available power supply of 98 megawatts.
Advised on ownership of a UK data centre
We advised a global telecommunications client in relation to the real estate aspects of their ownership of a UK data centre which is occupied under a sale and leaseback arrangement.
Acted for a multinational information and communications technology company
We acted for a multinational information and communications technology company in connection with its entire property portfolio in England and Wales, comprising over 60 properties. Forsters has been involved with the property aspects of the data centres, including negotiating and renewing leases and colocation agreements, dealing with ongoing management including rent reviews and licences for alterations, dealing with all wayleaves necessary for the provision of services and providing ongoing advice regarding all ancillary matters including variation of documents relating to service agreement extensions and power upgrades.
Negotiating and advising on colocation agreements
We act for a UK colocation data centre provider in relation to negotiating and advising on their colocation agreements and supplemental agreements with their customers.
Purchase of a recently vacated datacentre site
We acted for a long standing client on the purchase of a recently vacated data centre site for approximately £22 million. Our Commercial real estate and Construction teams worked together on the acquisition and demolition documentation to ensure that the site is suitable and made ready for re-development into a speculative, prime 350,000 sq ft big box logistics warehouse and over 20,000 sq ft of offices. The project is set to deliver a host of socio-economic benefits to the local economy, including over 100 additional jobs during construction and over 500 permanent jobs following practical completion. The scheme itself will be BREEAM Excellent rated and will adhere to the UK Green Building Councils Net Zero Buildings Framework.
Our team
Our data centres team combines technical expertise with genuine industry understanding. We benefit from first-hand sector experience, with members of the team having previously worked within a data centre developer and colocation provider. This enables us to offer clients advice grounded in practical knowledge of operational requirements, risk management and commercial drivers.
Victoria Towers
Partner, Head of Commercial Real Estate
Anthony Goodmaker
Partner, Commercial Real Estate
Katherine Ekers
Partner, Commercial Real Estate
Alex Greenwood
Senior Associate, Commercial Real Estate
Matthew Evans
Partner, Planning
Sophie Smith
Senior Associate, Planning
Sarah Cook
Partner, Head of Construction
Daniel Burr
Counsel, Construction
