Archive for the ‘Article’ Category

Forge Act on 100% Prime Oxford Purchase

Forge are pleased to have advised DTZ Investors on the acquisition of 43 & 44-46 Cornmarket Street, Oxford.

 

The property occupies a 100% prime position on Cornmarket Street, Oxford’s busiest retail throughfare, in the heart of this historic and globally recognised University City.

 

Comprising approximately 15,837 sq ft NIA of well configured retail accommodation, the property is let to National Westminster Bank Plc and McDonalds Restaurants Limited. The property is let off recently re-based rents following a new letting to McDonalds and a lease re-gear with NatWest.

 

Jonathan Mills commented:

 

“We were delighted to secure this on-market acquisition for DTZ Investors against a very competitive bidding environment. Freeholds on Cornmarket rarely become available and with both institutional grade tenants having recently committed to the property, we are confident in the property’s future performance potential.”

 

For further information on this transaction, or to discuss Forge’s upcoming sales and investment opportunities, please contact Jonathan Mills or Joe Baio.

Cambridge Acquired for International Investor

Forge are delighted to have secured a 100% prime, well‑let retail investment in the centre of Cambridge on behalf of a private, international buyer.

 

Located on the northern side of Petty Cury, in the heart of Cambridge’s historic retail core, the property is fully let to  Nationwide Building Society on a full repairing and insuring lease until 16th October 2033. This provides an attractive 7.5 years of secure, institutional grade income.

 

Jonathan Mills commented:

“We were delighted to secure this on-market acquisition for our private client amongst a highly competitive bidding environment. The property comprises one of the most attractive, freehold retail units in Cambridge and follows shortly after our recent purchase of a 100% prime freehold block in Oxford. These trophy assets rarely become available and we are therefore delighted to be able to secure them for our respective clients.”

 

Ian Webster Commented:

“We’re really pleased to execute our clients objective of securing well configured, prime space in central Cambridge with a compelling occupational story. Cambridge is going from strength to strength with a number of outstanding requirements and lack of stock which bodes well for rental growth in the medium/long term. Thank you to Chris Ward, head of lease advisory at Forge who assisted and made this deal a real team effort across Forge’s investment, agency and lease advisory teams.” 

 

For further information on this acquisition, or to discuss Forge’s upcoming investment and agency opportunities, please contact Jonathan Mills, Ian Webster or Joe Baio.

Forge Sell Two For KFIM

Forge are pleased to have acted on behalf of Knight Frank Investment Management (KFIM) on the sale of two well-located High Street properties.

 

70 North Street, Chichester is prominently positioned on North Street and is let to Nero Holdings Limited, while 41A George Street, Richmond occupies a prime position on George Street and is let to Jigsaw on a new five year lease.

 

Joe Baio commented:

“We are proud to have delivered two strong outcomes for our valued client, KFIM, achieving compelling NEY exits in both cases. These positive results bring to a close Forge’s long-standing involvement with the respective properties, which has included two lease renewals of Jigsaw in 2020 and 2025, as well as the original letting to Nero’s, followed by a regear in 2020.”

 

For further information on these transactions, or to discuss Forge’s upcoming sales and investment opportunities, please contact Joe Baio or Jonathan Mills.

Forge Acquires Prime Marylebone Asset

Forge are pleased to have acquired 5 Paddington Street, Marylebone, on behalf of a private family, following a competitive on-market process.

 

The property is situated in a prime Central London location, occupying a prominent position on Paddington Street, just a few feet from Marylebone High Street.

 

The micro location continues to strengthen, supported by recent high-quality openings nearby, including the Michelin-star mediterranean restaurant Lita.

 

The building comprises five storeys of attractive, mixed-use accommodation, totalling 3,431 sq ft, with commercial space at ground and basement level and residential accommodation on the three upper floors.

 

Joe Baio commented:

“We are delighted to have secured this rare freehold investment in Marylebone following a highly competitive bidding process. The property’s mixed-use profile and well-established income stream aligned precisely with the objectives of our long-standing private client, making this a particularly satisfying acquisition to deliver. This transaction caps a notably active year for Forge in the Central London market, reflecting a breadth of activity across our investment, agency and lease advisory teams.”

 

For further information on this transaction, or to discuss Forge’s upcoming sales and investment opportunities, please contact Joe Baio or Jonathan Mills.

100% Prime Bath Retail Parade Acquisition

Forge are pleased to have acted on behalf of an institutional purchaser for the acquisition of 42-48 Southgate Street, Bath.

 

The property occupies a 100% prime retail position opposite the entrance to the Southgate Shopping Centre, in the heart of Bath, an exceptionally attractive and historic city, and one of the strongest retail centres in the UK.

 

Comprising two well-configured retail units, the property is let to Superdrug Stores plc and H&M Hennes & Mauritz UK Limited. Both tenants have renewed their leases within the past year at rebased rents, reaffirming their commitment to this key retail location.

 

Jonathan Mills commented:

“We were delighted to complete on the acquisition of this 100% prime retail parade. The property is let off fully rebased rents to two institutional grade covenants and with the purchase price reflecting a Net Initial Yield of 7.50%, we believe there is plenty of scope for future rental growth and capital appreciation.

 

For more information, or to discuss similar opportunities, please contact Jonathan Mills or Joe Baio.

DTZ Investors sells St Anns Square

Forge are pleased to have sold St Ann’s Square in Manchester on behalf of DTZ Investors.

 

The property comprises a substantial, mixed-use Freehold block in the heart of Manchester City Centre, offering a number of deliverable asset management opportunities for the purchaser, a Manchester-based private property company.

 

Jonathan Mills commented:

 

“This successful sale represents the culmination of a great team effort at Forge, with the team having advised DTZ investors in both an occupational agency and lease advisory capacity since the original purchase. As such it was great to see the property through its full life cycle and to help achieve a successful exit for DTZ investors “

 

To discuss similar opportunities in the major regional retail centres, where Forge can provide market leading advice across the investment, agency and lease advisory teams, please contact a member of the team.

Forge Advises Redevco on Sale of Prime Shoreditch Retail Parade

Forge is pleased to have advised Redevco on the sale of 15–29 Redchurch Street and 7-9 Club Row, Shoreditch, London E2, following a highly competitive bidding process that generated strong interest from high-net-worth individuals, institutional funds, and overseas investors.

 

Positioned in the heart of Shoreditch, one of London’s most vibrant and creative neighbourhoods, the property occupies a prime urban location at the centre of the capital’s fashion, food, and nightlife scene.

 

The asset comprises two well-configured retail parades extending to approximately 6,400 sq ft (595 sq m), fully let to a curated line-up of contemporary fashion and lifestyle brands, including APC, Reformation, URBN and Studio Nicholson

This transaction underscores the depth of investor appetite for prime retail holdings in London’s most dynamic submarkets, particularly those offering secure income profiles, strong local amenities, and long-term rental growth potential.

 

Jonathan Mills commented:

“We were delighted to complete this sale on behalf of our long-standing clients, Redevco. The property attracted considerable domestic and international investor demand, which resulted in a competitive bidding process. Forge continue to be particularly active across the London sub-markets, both in an occupational and investment capacity.”

 

For further information on this transaction, or to discuss Forge’s upcoming sales and investment opportunities, please contact Jonathan Mills or Joe Baio.

Forge act on Sale of Tesco Superstore, Norwich

Forge are pleased to have completed the sale of the Tesco Superstore in Drayton on the outskirts of Norwich Town Centre, acting on behalf of CBRE Investment Management.

 

The property extends to 22,000 sq ft and is let to Tesco on a lease expiring in 2032, subject to five-yearly index-linked rent reviews.

 

Jonathan Mills Commented:

“Having acted on the original acquisition over ten years ago, it was particularly rewarding to see the property through its full life cycle and deliver a successful exit for our client.”

 

Special thanks to Matt Beevor and Natalie Tanner at CBREIM for their valued instructions and continued collaboration.

 

For further information on this, or our upcoming sales, please contact Jonathan Mills or Joe Baio.

Forge sell Tesco, Limavady for CBRE IM

Forge are pleased to announce the successful sale of the Tesco Superstore in Limavady, Northern Ireland, on behalf of CBRE Investment Management.

 

The property comprises a well-configured 37,000 sq ft dominant foodstore, let to Tesco on a lease expiring in 2031, with five-yearly open market rent reviews.

 

Jonathan Mills commented:

“It was a pleasure to support CBRE Investment Management in achieving a successful outcome in what was a highly competitive bidding environment.”

 

Particular thanks to Matt Beevor and Natalie Tanner at CBRE Investment Management for their valued instructions and collaboration.

 

Forge are currently advising on a number of similar foodstore investment opportunities. For further information, please contact Jonathan Mills or Joe Baio.

Pension Fund exits M&S in Oxford

Forge are pleased to have advised Daily Mail Pension Fund on the disposal of the M&S Food in Summertown, Oxford.

 

The property is let to M&S until October 2034, and the passing rent is subject to five-yearly CPI-linked reviews (collared and capped at 1% – 3%, annually compounded).

 

Joe Baio commented:

“We are pleased to have secured a strong exit on behalf of our client, having generated competitive tension after a full marketing process. This sale marks the latest in a series of successful foodstore disposals in which Forge has acted. Many thanks to Philip Hay who acted on behalf of the Purchaser, a private family office.”

 

For further information on this, or our various upcoming sales, please contact Joe Baio or Jonathan Mills.