GRE Finance has agreed a £14.9m loan for Riverside Capital, a Jersey-based £1.4bn UK real estate investment fund, against Old Street Works, an office complex on the fringes of the City of London.
Located on City Road, Old Street Works comprised 34,000 square feet in three interconnected buildings, including office accommodation and retail.
The 24-month loan was secured against the freehold of the buildings, used to fund refurbishment works on the vacant units, including through improved lighting, flooring and further cosmetic changes.
This was the latest loan that GRE Finance secured against offices in London, including the Farringdon and Covent Garden submarkets, in addition to regional locations.
In the past three years, GRE Finance provided £160m in financing for borrowers against the asset class.
Daniel Benton, director at GRE Finance, said: “Given our decades of experience in real estate and finance, we were able to recognise the potential in this great value-add opportunity in one of London’s hottest office sub-markets with an experienced sponsor.
“With an expanding loan book of £120m secured against residential and commercial property across the UK, we have deep conviction in sectors with good fundamentals, which includes operational residential real estate classes such as purpose-built student accommodation and later living.
“We are actively seeking opportunities with borrowers looking for a true partner in their lender.”
Clare Grimes, associate director at GRE Finance, added: “Properties like Old Street Works – offices in excellent locations with strong value-add potential – are among the kinds of assets that most appeal to us.
“That’s particularly the case when there is opportunity to enhance value through planning.
“As the market increasingly looks likely to settle, we anticipate more borrowers seeking financing from lenders willing to take on a share of the risk, representing a positive approach to real estate which we believe we are well placed to deliver on.”
Nicholas Kelliher, transaction lead at Riverside Capital, concluded: “The successful refinancing with GRE is testament to the success of our ongoing business plan initiatives at Old Street Works, and facilitates a renewed opportunity to enhance value as we look to conclude a multi-year revitalisation and repositioning of the building.
“In light of recent headwinds, we are delighted to partner with a lender that understands the potential for growth in the London office sector, aligning with our strategy to stabilise the portfolio and continue delivering high-quality product as the market turns its focus to recovery.”
