We provided due diligence support to a confidential client who held 12 months of exclusivity on the 18 Blackfriars site, a 1.8-acre plot comprising six new buildings. The tallest proposed building was a 53-storey, 184m hotel and residential skyscraper.

Our role included site-wide master planning and programme development, alongside key design interventions. Notably, we simplified the approved four-storey basement design to a two-storey solution, resulting in savings of nearly £15m and reducing the overall programme by 12 months. The basement rationalisation also enabled a simplified MEP strategy, allowing buildings to operate independently in line with future exit strategies.

Additionally, we developed build-out programmes and strategies to support potential forward funding purchases for the hotel and residential elements.

Ultimately, despite significant work, our client was unable to agree final terms with the existing site owner and withdrew from the transaction.