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Alternative sectors
The significant growth potential of UK retirement living, with demand driven by a rapidly ageing population, is drawing lenders to the sector.
Steve Plavin, recently appointed to lead Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies in Europe, says a wide array of funding opportunities is likely to emerge as European markets reopen.
Alternative debt providers are increasingly willing to fill the void left by banks in the European sector, but financing mandates remain scarce.
The UK challenger bank’s debut loan in the sector was put on hold at the start of the pandemic but the resulting deal was larger than initially planned.
Louise Gillon, head of hotel finance at lender Leumi UK, says she is confident in long-term demand for high-quality accommodation in city centre locations.
Among the past week’s noteworthy items, the owner of the biggest business estate in London’s Docklands raised £900m through its first green bond issuance.
Following the German bank’s financing of a London hotel for L+R, its managing director of special property finance says it currently favours hotels capable of attracting a broad mix of guests.
Debt providers are seeking exposure to a sector thriving in the covid-era.
The extent to which universities bring students physically back to campus will determine property debt providers’ appetite for financing student accommodation.
Jayne Backett, banking partner with law firm Fieldfisher, says debt providers need to consider the unique risks of financing data centres.