Sale of a property portfolio by Study Inn's shareholders

We have advised boutique student accommodation company, Study Inn, on the £135m sale of its property portfolio to a new company, backed by Arlington Investors and funded through Standard Life and MetLife.

Eddie Jefferson and Kieran Leahy founded the business seven years ago and have sold the portfolio of properties, spanning Sheffield, Nottingham, Coventry and Cambridge, to a new company backed by Arlington Investors but will continue to manage the properties.

Study Inn Group specialises in designing, building and operating high quality student accommodation in prime locations throughout the UK, offering all-inclusive and fully serviced, ensuite accommodation for students.

We have acted for Study Inn for a number of years, providing real estate, construction and banking advice in particular. The current transaction involved a large amount of cross-disciplinary legal support and involved a complex group reorganisation as well as detailed sale advice.

The team, led by Corporate Partner, Chris Reed, included Corporate Associate Adam Percival and Corporate Solicitors, Rachel Cox and Matt Smith, as well as Real Estate specialists, James White (Partner) and Shazan Miah (Senior Associate), Tax Partner, James Gopsill, Construction Lawyer, Christian Mulvihill, Banking Partner, Jacob Robinson and Commercial Solicitor, Conor Hannon.

Study Inn co-founders Eddie Jefferson and Kieran Leahy commented: “Arlington’s knowledge and experience in the sector make them an exceptional Investment partner for the Study Inn Group. Collaboration on this transaction has released significant funds for us to invest in our second portfolio which is already under way, with a 320-room scheme in Bristol due to open in Sept 2018.”

Corporate Partner, Chris Reed, said: “Study Inn is a longstanding client and we are delighted to have advised them on this deal. The transaction is a sound, strategic move for both parties and we look forward to working with Eddie and Kieran and the team in the future.”