Jo Owen

Partner

Global Co-Chair, Real Estate Sector

About

Joanne Owen has extensive experience within the real estate market both nationally and internationally dealing with complex cross-border real estate transactions.

Joanne acts for a range of institutional investors and regularly acts for private equity sponsors and asset managers working across the entire real estate sector. Joanne has particular experience leading multi-practice teams on transactions relating to hotels and leisure related, structured corporate platforms, student housing, co-living, residential PRS, logistics, retail and office schemes.

Areas of FocusReal Estate Private Equity

Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

EXPERIENCE

Advising Blackstone on the sale of Butlins to the Harris Family following the successful sale and leaseback of the sites to USS.
Advising Blackstone on the acquisition of GCP Student Living by way of take private.
Leading a multi disciplinary team advising Blackstone of the acquisition of Bourne Leisure, comprising Haven, Warner Hotels and Butlins for in excess of GBP3bn.
Advising a private equity client on its first data centre acquisition and assisting with the operational aspects to build a data centre platform.
Leading a pan European team of lawyers in advising a private equity client on the acquisition of a Central European logistics platform across eight countries for a value in excess of EUR500m.
Leading a multi-disciplinary team on the re-financing of a Central London hotel portfolio in excess of GBP1bn.
Advising on the acquisition and subsequent disposal of an offshore property holding vehicle containing landmark buildings in the City of London.
Leading a pan European team advising a client on the acquisition of a portfolio of seven hotels across Europe. The transaction was structured as a multi-layered corporate acquisition and involved extensive pre-closing restructuring of the target group. Deal value in excess of GBP900m.
Advising a private equity client on the creation of a student housing platform in Central London and its ultimate sale in a Luxembourg corporate structure.
Advising a first time Asian asset manager on its first European purchase comprising a leisure scheme in England consisting of separate negotiations to address development, franchising and third party operational matters.
Advising Blackstone on the sale of 160 Queen Victoria Street to Generali for in excess of GBP450m by way of corporate sale.
Advising a European pension fund on the establishment of a serviced apartment European platform, including the co-invest documentation and acquisition documentation in England and Northern Europe.
Leading a multi-disciplinary team advising a US PE sponsor on its acquisition of a Central London office HQ by way of corporate acquisition of a Dutch BV. The acquisition was also structured as a “1031” exchange for US tax purposes.
Advising a European private equity client on the acquisition of a Central London mixed use development scheme.The transaction involved extensive pre-sale reorganisation steps, at a corporate level as well as a range of asset specific matters.

Education

Awards

Jo is ranked both in Legal 500 and Chambers UK. Jo is also recognised by Legal 500 and is also noted for her extensive transactional track record in the hospitality sector.

Insight Overview

Jo has spoken at numerous conferences including: