Herbert Smith Freehills has advised its longstanding client and leading European real estate portfolio and asset managers, AXA Real Estate Investment Managers (“AXA Real Estate”), on the letting of 165,000 square feet of space at its King’s Cross office development scheme to Google on a 15 year lease.
Real estate partners Shelagh McKibbin and Simon Price led the Herbert Smith Freehills team advising AXA Real Estate on its forward purchase of the building in Autumn 2012 for its 50:50 joint venture partnership with a large third party international partner from developer BNP Paribas Real Estate. This acquisition was one of London’s largest office transactions of 2012.
At acquisition, the 400,000 square foot building was partly pre-let to BNP Paribas subsidiary on a 15 year lease, and the Google deal completes the letting of the office space in the building.
Shelagh McKibbin led the team on the letting to Google. She said: “On all bases this was a great deal to work on and we are delighted to be involved in such an important deal at one of London’s growing business destinations.”
Ed Benzecry of CMS Cameron McKenna acted for Google. CBRE advised Google. BNP PRE and CBRE advised AXA Real Estate.
