Real estate

We understand real estate as more than property – it’s a dynamic sector shaped by investment, innovation and regulation. Our legal services span the full lifecycle of real estate assets, supporting clients across development, finance, sustainability and strategic operations. With deep sector knowledge and a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach, we help developers, investors, operators and institutions unlock opportunity, manage risk, resolve disputes and deliver value in a fast-evolving built environment.

Commercially focused legal solutions for the real estate sector

Real estate is at the heart of our firm’s practice. We bring deep experience across all types of real estate transactions, including investment property, property development, joint ventures, property finance, relocation, business establishment and distressed property work-outs. We also provide specialist advice for those investing in residential property, particularly high value and complex acquisitions.

As established practitioners in the diverse range of challenges faced by the real estate sector, we deliver multi-disciplinary solutions by drawing on the expertise of lawyers across specialist areas – ranging from real estate disputes and commercial contracts, to construction, employment, tax and regulatory matters. In each practice area, our lawyers are recognised as leaders in their fields, working collaboratively to ensure the right expertise is applied to every matter, regardless of scale or complexity.

Our clients span the UK and international markets and include household-name corporations, developers, banks, investment funds and trusts, charities, landed estates and property entrepreneurs. We are especially known for our comprehensive support and innovative solutions for health and care providers, student accommodation developers, retailers, hotel and leisure operators, mixed-use developers and housing associations.

Through close client relationships and deep engagement with the sector, we gain valuable insight into the challenges our clients face. This enables us to deliver a service that is not only informed by industry best practice but also tailored to the specific requirements and long-term strategies of each organization.

As signatories to the British Property Federation’s Net Zero Pledge, we are committed to supporting the transition to a net zero carbon property sector by 2050. Our legal team assists clients across health and care, student accommodation, retail, hospitality, housing associations, and mixed-use development on the legal frameworks and commercial strategies required to deliver sustainable, future-proofed assets.

The firm understands the asset they work on and understands the commercial drivers of their client.

We advise on the acquisition, development, financing and management of green and smart real estate. Our services include contracts for retrofit projects and energy upgrades, regulatory and planning compliance, EV infrastructure, heat networks, and renewable energy investments. We also support due diligence and risk management for sustainable developments and ESG-aligned portfolios.

Whether you’re a housing association seeking to decarbonise your stock, a developer integrating low-carbon technologies, or a leisure operator investing in clean energy, we offer commercially-focused legal solutions that help you meet your environmental commitments while protecting long-term value.

How we help our clients

Building safety law

Construction

Healthcare and social real estate

Housing

Investors and funds

Planning

Residential development

Landlord and tenant

Residential property

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Recent work highlights

Fashion retailer portfolio management

Representing a fashion retailer on all of its portfolio management work, including retail lease renewals and re-gears (which regularly involved complex turnover rent provisions in shopping centre leases), as well as its warehouse acquisitions.

South Bank acquisition for hotel operator

Acting for a hotel operator on its purchase of a large office building on London’s South Bank, including demolition and development contracts, third party agreements, rights to light, contractor appointments, warranties, and pre-emption rights.

Sustainable central London office space

Advising on the acquisition and refurbishment of 88,000 sq ft of prime green-fund-approved offices, negotiating all construction documentation and ensuring compliance with environmental law, funder reporting and sustainability standards.

Acquisition for G15 housing association

Assisting SNG, one of the largest housing associations in England, on its acquisition of 162 affordable units at ‘golden brick’ stage. The units comprised a mixture of freehold blocks, leasehold blocks and leasehold plots, across a large multi-phased site.

Super prime West End purchase

Acting on the successful purchase of a super prime residential property located in London’s prestigious West End, valued at more than £18 million and involving significant asset considerations.

Multi-phase care home refurbishment

Advising Nazareth Care Charitable Trust on a significant, multi-phase seven-year refurbishment of Nazareth House in London, addressing sensitivities and design control due to the historic nature and ongoing ecclesiastic use of the convent.

They provide excellent client service, with quick responses that never feel rushed. Everyone is eager to help out if needed.

They are an absolute pleasure to work with! They offer a very professional and motivated approach. The collective team are trusted advisors who are proactive and take the time to understand out client needs and goals.

Penningtons are always available for us to check a legal position on a specific issue and they do this based on the relationships that we have with them.

The entire team are excellent at handling complex instructions. They are all really clear thinkers and are able to provide clear and succinct advice at all times.