Forsters acts on acquisition of part of Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool

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We are delighted to announce that members of a multi-disciplinary Forsters team have acted for a joint venture between developer General Projects and investor Neo Capital on the acquisition of part of the Royal Albert Docks in Liverpool.

The acquisition, reported in BBC News, was part funded by a loan from Merseyside Pension Fund.

The iconic, 375,000 sq ft mixed use asset forms part of the largest single collection of Grade 1 listed buildings in England. The joint venture plans to evolve the dock into the “most exciting experiential and authentic destination in the UK”.

Jacob Loftus, chief executive officer of General Projects, said: “We are honoured to have become custodians of one of our country’s most significant landmarks and one of its most magnificent examples of industrial heritage.”

Commercial Real Estate Partner, Katherine Ekers, who led the Forsters team, said: “This is a fantastic project on a sensitive site of national importance. We look forward to working with Neo Capital, General Projects, Merseyside Pension Fund and others to progress the ambitious, exciting plans for the next phase in the history of the dock”.

Partner and Head of Banking & Finance, Victoria Edwards, said: “It was great to be part of the multi-disciplinary team at Forsters with banking and property working side by side on this terrific asset.”

Katherine Ekers
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Graduate recruitment – mythbusters – episode 3

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Does showing commercial awareness really mean faithfully memorising the contents of the Economist each week?

Podcast host Miri Stickland is joined by partner Katherine Ekers and trainees Phoebe Jackson and Annalisa Gardner to discuss the tricky issue of how to show commercial awareness.

Graduate recruitment – mythbusters – episode 2

A white microphone icon is on an orange background. Beside it, text reads, "Graduate Recruitment Mythbusters."

Are there unwritten rules you need to follow in training contract interviews?

Partner Katherine Ekers and trainees Ellen Jones and Cameron Turnbull join podcast host Miri Stickland to discuss what to wear and whether to eat the biscuits offered!

British Legal Awards 2021: Forsters’ Property Team Wins Property Team of the Year

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We are delighted that Forsters’ top ranked property teams have been recognised in Legal Week’s British Legal Awards 2021.

Head of Commercial Real Estate, Andrew Crabbie, commented: “We are thrilled to be taking home this award having been shortlisted for the last two years. Forsters is, and will always remain, a firm with property at the centre of its practice so it is pleasing to receive this impartial recognition of the team’s work.”

Forsters accept their award for 'Property Team of the Year at the British Legal Awards 2021.

Partner Katherine Ekers, who has been instrumental in managing the St. Giles Circus Development, which featured in our award submission, commented: “I am delighted to see our Commercial Real Estate team recognised for our work in advising Consolidated Developments on the redevelopment of St. Giles Circus which is the result of four years’ work involving a team of 15 lawyers across various practice areas and is an indicative matter to the size and complexity we regularly handle. The whole team will share in this award but special thanks to Andrew himself who worked alongside me on this matter and Matthew Evans, Emily Holdstock, Simon Collins and Naomi Trinh, Partners and Counsel across our Planning, Construction, Real Estate Finance and Corporate teams who have been involved in the ongoing work for Consolidated Developments.”

The British Legal Awards, hosted by Law.com International, are recognised as the premier legal awards in the UK, representing the best of the best within the legal community.

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How do investors see post-pandemic London? Katherine Ekers features on EG Property Podcast

Skyscrapers stand prominently against a blue sky with scattered clouds, surrounded by lower buildings. The tall structures feature modern glass facades, creating a skyline in an urban setting.

Commercial Real Estate Partner, Katherine Ekers, joined the EG Property podcast to discuss the question ‘How do investors see post-pandemic London?‘.

Joining EG editor, Samantha McClary alongside Katherine were Rasheed Hassan, Head of Global Cross Border Investment at Savills, and James Edwards, Managing Director of Evans Randall Investors.

Discussing London’s continuing attractiveness as an investment hotspot, Katherine, Rasheed and Samantha share their insights on how investor interest may have changed as we start to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic, how ESG are three letters on everyone’s lips and just how confident London can feel for its future prospects.

Discussion points included:

  • How has investor interest changed after the pandemic?
  • Overseas investors: how is London’s recovery seen from outside the UK?
  • Offices: how expectations of occupiers is reshaping the market
  • The impact of ESG on the future market
  • Prospects for the next 12 months: where to watch

Listen now on Estates Gazette’s Property Podcasts

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