Objective
The International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) needed to acquire additional offices either in, or located close by, its existing London premises to accommodate expansion. The situation was complicated by the fact that the IASC’s existing leases in Cannon Street were due to expire in 12 months time and that its landlord was actively seeking to sell on the freehold interest in the building in order to capitalise on a rising investment market.
Services provided
Nick negotiated the acquisition of a new and separate leasehold interest on part of the ground floor (west) in 30 Cannon Street while simultaneously restructuring and extending the IASC’s existing leases on the accommodation it occupied on the part basement, part ground floor (east) and first floors in the building.
Nick also negotiated capping the service charge on both the new and existing leases, yielding immediate cost savings.
Result
With Nick’s assistance, the IASC was able to explore a broad range of options in a relatively complex situation, and in ensuing negotiations. The strategy of leveraging the acquisition of new premises with the grant of a reversionary lease 12 months in advance of lease expiry resulted in a very satisfactory (and financially beneficial) outcome for the IASC Foundation.

Disposal of 28,000 sq ft in One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, E14 for Trinity Mirror plc.

Acquisition of 28,000 sq ft in One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, E14 for Abbey Business Centres.

Acquisition of 28,000 sq ft in One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, E14 for Abbey Business Centres.

Disposal of 28,000 sq ft in One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, E14 for Trinity Mirror plc.

Acquisition of 21,000 sq ft in 30 Cannon Street, EC4 for IASC Foundation.

Acquisition of 84,000 sq ft in 25 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, E14 for SunGard.

The 84,000 sq ft acquisition from Citibank under four separate leases afforded SunGard the flexibility it required to draw down and exit space on a phased basis to match the intended exit of various sites in London and abroad. The transaction resulted in Nick being recognised for closing GVA Worldwide’s largest international deal in 2006.

Acquisition of 4,500 sq ft in One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, E14 for Coutts Bank.

Disposal of 12,000 sq ft in 1 South Place, EC2 for Bloomberg LP.

Acquisition of 14,000 sq ft in 2 More London Riverside, SE1 for Markit Group.