Wragge & Co’s Real Estate Investment team has advised US private equity firm Blackstone on its £600 million acquisition of the Mint Hotel chain.

One of the biggest transactions in the European hotel market since 2007, the deal saw Blackstone acquire the eight-strong hotel chain. Real estate partner John Burns led the Wragge & Co team, which included director Robin Pearson, associate Michael Twining and solicitor Ashley Davidson.

 

John Burns said: “It’s a privilege to again be part of the Blackstone team and to have the opportunity to work alongside so many talented people on such a significant transaction.”

 

Employment partner Trevor Gibson, commercial litigation director Samantha Holland, construction associate Simon Colegate and corporate associate Nigel Collins also advised. The team worked closely with Blackstone’s lead adviser Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

 

Blackstone is a global investment and advisory firm. Through its investment vehicles, the firm preserves and protects more than £150 billion in assets for public and corporate pension funds, as well as academic, cultural and charitable organisations.

 

The Mint Hotel Group was co-founded in 1995 by Sandy and David Orr and Donald McDonald, with Bill Crerar. Its first hotel opened in 1999. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised the Mint Hotel Group.

 

Wragge & Co’s 12-partner Real Estate Investment team advises major institutional and private investors, developers and high-wealth individuals on property investments within the UK and worldwide. It is part of the firm’s 140-lawyer Real Estate group which offers a full service across the entire commercial real estate sector.