Real estate
Often handling real estate transactions, Linklaters LLP is home to specialists in property financing, planning, and disputes. Andy Bruce oversees the team and is geared to handle disposals and letting surrounding all asset classes, while Matthew Plaskow counts private equity investors, developers, and asset managers on his client roster. Tom Watkins and Kathryn Griffiths are often engaged in joint venture formation, while Siobhan Burton, Jack Shand, and Imogen Jones are other key team members.
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Profile
Work Department
Real Estate
Position
Matthew is a corporate real estate partner with deep sector specific real estate expertise and a dedicated focus on real estate M&A transactions and joint ventures. He has experience in the acquisition, disposal and development of real estate in UK and European markets across a range of asset classes including commercial real estate, retail, hotels, logistics and student accommodation. His clients include institutional and private equity investors, developers and asset managers.
Work highlights
Transactions of significance where substantial involvement can be disclosed include advising:
Cromwell Property Group on the sale of its €3.9bn European fund management platform and associated co-investments to Swiss real estate investor Stoneweg for €280m
City Developments Limited on the entry into a joint venture with Galliard and the acquisition by that joint venture of Morden Wharf
Gamuda on the entry into a joint venture with Castleforge and the acquisition by that joint venture of Winchester House from CIC Ho Bee Land on the acquisition of ‘The Scalpel’, the landmark office tower at 52 Lime Street in London
GIC: advising on its acquisition of approximately 95% stake in the Sani/Ikos hotels group from approximately €2.3bn.
PSP on the entry into a joint venture with Lendlease for the development of Milano Santa Giulia, a new district in Milan, Italy
TIAA (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association) on its disposal of a stake in the EUR5bn “CHOP” pan-European office platform
A joint venture held by Permodalan Nasional Bhd and Employees Provident Fund on the £1.6bn acquisition of the commercial and retail assets at Battersea Power Station
Katara Hospitality on the acquisition of the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane
Lendlease on the entry into a joint venture with Starwood and the subsequent acquisition by the joint venture of The Silvertown Partnership which holds an interest in Silvertown Quays.
Career
Partner since 2022
Education
Matthew holds a Geography BA from the University of Nottingham, and a Graduate Diploma in Law from the University of Law.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'The team is extremely responsive, has a strong breadth of knowledge, and puts in real effort to understand our business. They interact with commercial teams and legal teams in a constructive, commercial manner.'
‘Matthew Plaskow has sped up the learning curve with our business and with understanding our commercial goals, and works extremely hard to ensure deliverables, no matter how extensive and complex, are delivered. Very much a trusted advisor.’
'They are able to manage large complicated projects with JV's, financing, leasing, all in one team.'
‘Andy Bruce is exceptional.'
'Responsive and effective team, optimizing between tasks that can be done by an associate and having the partner work on the more complex parts of the transaction.'
'Matt Plaskow is great to work with; pragmatic, to the point, and commercially oriented. A call with him only takes the time it needs to - to the point. He is also very good at sorting out legal issues directly with the other side and leaving only the important issues to be discussed with the client.'
'Able to manage large, complicated projects with JVs, financing, leasing, all in one team.'
'Nice and attentive partners with real experience'.
Key clients
- DigitalBridge Investments Universities Superannuation Scheme OTPP AustralianSuper Aware Super Obayashi Properties Ramsbury Lendlease Nuveen Feldberg Capital UK
Work highlights
Advised DigitalBridge on AustralianSuper's €1.5bn investment for a minority stake in Vantage Data Center's EMEA platform, with AustralianSuper becoming a key shareholder in this rapidly expanding platform.
Advised Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) on its acquisition of more than 3,000 shared ownership homes from Sage Homes for £405 million, established by funds managed by Blackstone and Regis Group plc.
Acted for AustralianSuper on its acquisition of a 50% stake in Oxford Properties’ c.$840 million European industrial and logistics portfolio and a 50% stake in M7 Real Estate, the market leading European investment and asset management business that manages the portfolio.