Vijay Patel

Vijay advises developers on acquisitions and disposals of instant and strategic development sites, negotiating site acquisition agreements, option agreements and development agreements, including clauses relating to planning conditions, sub-sales, overage and environmental liability. 

• Advised a global logistics company on the development of a major 675,000 sq. ft fulfilment centre. 

• Advised on the £120m development of two sites for low-carbon commercial glasshouses with infrastructure for delivery of heat from both renewable and waste heat sources. 

• Advised the delivery partner for a major Ministry of Defence outsourcing of its logistics function. This involved the negotiation of an agreement for the development of an 875,000 sq. ft fulfilment centre in Donnington and transfer of over 70 existing operational sites. 

• Acted on the acquisition of a 200-acre site in West Raynham for the development of a 49.9MW solar photo-voltaic system in conjunction with corporate and commercial teams. 

• Negotiated a development agreement for a lease with Accor (Adagio brand) conditional on construction of a 242-key aparthotel in Whitechapel. 

Vijay advises investors, developers and funders on acquisitions, disposals, and financing arrangements for both investment and development projects.  

• Acted for a major European bank on the sale of a portfolio of loans secured by properties in four different jurisdictions, managing all aspects with an international team of associates. 

• Acted for a UK funder in connection with a loan facility to assist with the development of a 22-storey mixed-use tower and adjoining (pre-let) hotel in Elephant & Castle, the site being divided by a railway and overhanging Network Rail’s adjoining land. 

• Advised in connection with a £112m restructure and refinancing of a hotel group.

Vijay supports landlords and tenants in negotiating commercial leases and managing property portfolios, including estate management matters, such as lease renewals, surrenders, assignments, underlettings, alterations, and service charge queries. 

• Acted for a major global IT company, as “virtual in-house counsel”, providing all-round real estate support for its leasehold properties in the EMEA region. 
• Acted on the disposal of a £25m prime London tenanted property, with provisions allocating risk concerning ongoing building works, building contract obligations, and potentially irrecoverable service charge.  
• Negotiated an agreement for lease (conditional on change of use and listed building consent) for new head offices at Cavalry Square for a global branding company. 
• Advising a satellite technology company on new leases and lease renewals for various UK sites.

Vijay has extensive experience advising developers, EPC contractors, investment funds and banks on various types of renewable/clean energy projects, including solar, wind, anaerobic digestion, advanced thermal treatment, fluidised bed combustion, biomass, geothermal, energy storage, and heating and cooling distribution systems.  

• Advised on the £120m development of two sites for low-carbon commercial glasshouses with infrastructure for delivery of heat from both renewable and waste heat sources. 

• Advised a solar investment fund on the real estate aspects of the acquisition of numerous solar projects, including a 49.9MW site. 

• Acted for the developers on the acquisition, promotion, and sale of a succession of ground-mounted solar development sites.  

• Advised a developer on the project lease for an advanced thermal treatment plan. 

• Advised a biomass heat provider on the development of a fluidised bed combustion plant at a poultry farm. 

• Acted for a developer on the acquisition of numerous sites for the development of energy storage facilities.  

• Advised an electric car charging point installer on its lease arrangements with various local authorities.  

• Reported on real estate due diligence aspects in favour of a bank, providing loan facilities secured by a portfolio of solar projects.  

• Advised a biomass and heat pump supplier on its framework documents for the installation of its products. 

Vijay advises owners, investors and operators on transactions, operations, and financing in the sector, from single sites to major portfolio deals.

• Acted for a hotel investor on the refinancing and restructuring of a hotel portfolio, for a loan facility of £100m. 

• Negotiated a development agreement for a lease with Accor (Adagio brand) conditional on construction of a 242-key aparthotel in Whitechapel. 

• Advised a hotel developer on the launch of a new pod-concept hotel brand in the UK. 

• Acted on the acquisition of £83m hotel in Bloomsbury, managing the extensive due diligence exercise. 

• Advised in connection with a £112m restructure and refinancing of a hotel group. 

Recommended by The Legal 500 2015 for Property and Property Finance