FRP Real Estate Advisory has arranged a £21 million commercial acquisition loan facility with Shawbrook Bank to support the purchase of an office building in central Cardiff. The transaction enabled an asset manager to acquire the property, which holds a BREEAM Excellent environmental rating.
Corey Dennis, senior broker at FRP Real Estate Advisory, managed the transaction from inception through to completion, coordinating between the lender and third-party advisers throughout the process.
Facility restructured amid rate volatility
The deal progressed during a period of market volatility, with interest rate expectations fluctuating in response to geopolitical developments. As conditions shifted, the team restructured the facility into a five-year term incorporating a two-year fixed rate period.
According to FRP, the revised structure was designed to provide greater certainty over borrowing costs during a period of interest rate uncertainty. The advisory firm, working alongside Newmark, agreed on a structure based on the lower of 75% of vacant possession value or 65% of market value.
“Sudden market changes from global conflicts created additional complexities. However, with close coordination between all parties, we managed the evolving lending conditions, pricing adjustments, and transaction timelines,” said Dennis.
The transaction comes as the UK property market faces pricing pressures amid weak demand, with commercial real estate experiencing particular headwinds in recent months.
Lender appetite for quality assets
Russell Gaynor, structured real estate senior analyst at Shawbrook, said the transaction reflected the bank’s appetite for supporting experienced sponsors acquiring assets with strong fundamentals. “We are delighted to have supported a new-to-bank client with a £21 million acquisition facility for this high-quality, modern office in central Cardiff with a BREEAM Excellent rating,” Gaynor said.
The facility was structured to fund the acquisition whilst providing the two-year fixed rate period to support cash flow planning. Legal counsel was provided by Brecher LLP, with Kate George, Michelle Brown, Kelly Fowler and Emma Perry acting on the deal. James Coll of Newmark UK delivered valuation services supporting the facility’s structure.
The office sector has faced challenges in recent years, with changing work patterns and shifting investor sentiment affecting commercial property markets. However, well-located assets with strong environmental credentials continue to attract financing.
The transaction demonstrates continued lender appetite for office assets where experienced sponsors can combine acquisition opportunities with longer-term asset management strategies, particularly for properties with established environmental certifications in regional city centres.
