Nabarro Student Accommodation Group acts for GSA & GIC in the evolving UK sector and emerging German sector

This article was produced by Nabarro LLP, which joined CMS on 1 May 2017.

Nabarro has advised GSA (the global student accommodation leader) and GIC (Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund) on their acquisition of Threesixty Developments’ 7,150 bed UK student accommodation portfolio from Oaktree Capital Management. In addition to this, Nabarro acted for GSA on its acquisition of the operating platform of The Student Housing Company, one of the UK’s best-known student accommodation brands.

Nabarro has also advised on a GSA and GIC German student accommodation venture targeting major university cities in Germany through investment, development and working with local property companies. The venture will add to the portfolio of almost 1000 student beds in Frankfurt, Darmstadt, Munster and Dresden acquired by GSA in June 2016.

Funds and Indirect Real Assets partner Victoria Henry and Real Estate partners Nick Collins and Marie Scott led the London, Dubai and Singapore Nabarro teams providing corporate, tax, real estate, intellectual property, construction, planning and financing advice. The team also leads the Student Accommodation Group at the firm which has provided legal advice in the student accommodation sector since 1997.

Commenting on the acquisition, partner Victoria Henry said:
“We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to act for GSA and GIC on the transactions. The acquisition of the 3,634 UK operational beds, pipeline of 3,516 UK beds, acquisition of a leading UK brand and creation of a German venture is a notable addition to the experience of our Student Accommodation Group which formed in 1997 and continues to provide wide-ranging advice and support for clients in an increasingly global sector.”