David Horan

DAVID HORAN leads the firm’s London real estate team, and has a broad range of experience advising clients acquiring, disposing, developing, financing and managing a wide variety of real estate assets including offices, residential (in particular student accommodation, later-living, and co-living), industrial, life sciences, and other mixed use schemes.

David works closely with our private equity, energy and infrastructure, and finance practices on deals with a strong real estate focus.

David has particular experience advising on large property portfolios, particularly in the context of restructurings and other distressed situations.

Recent examples of David’s work include advising:

• Related Argent on its £8 billion Brent Cross Town, London redevelopment scheme, including various student housing, later-living and co-living schemes with third-party investors, as well as utilities and telecoms agreements.
• British Land in relation to its Regent’s Place, London campus, in particular advising on the real estate aspects of its 50% sale of 1 Triton Square to, and £385 million joint venture with, Royal London to convert 1 Triton Square from offices into a life-sciences and innovation hub within London’s Knowledge Quarter.
• The BBC on its structured sale of Media Village, West London, and also the sale and leaseback (of part) of its Eastenders set at BBC Elstree Studios.
• A major pension fund on various UK disposals and leasing matters.
• A overseas pension fund on the real estate elements of its proposed acquisition of a major strategic UK manufacturer.
• Carrying out due diligence on various stores for the proposed acquisition of a major UK supermarket
• PWC on the property elements of the administration of wholesaler Conviviality plc, including the sale of 400+ Bargain Booze and Wine Rack retail stores to Bestway Group.
• PWC on the property elements of the pre-packaged administration sale of convenience store chain McColls to Morrisons, including the transfer of a portfolio of up to 1,200 properties.
• A luxury retailer on its UK property portfolio.

The above matters were handled prior to joining Sidley.

David has previously advised The Felix Project in connection with various warehouse and distribution leases taken to support its goal of distributing surplus food to frontline charities and schools around London.