International law firm Trowers & Hamlins has advised long standing client and real estate investment trust Global Net Lease (NYSE: GNL) on the £250 million sale of the McLaren Campus.
Initiated in 1998, the McLaren Technology Centre was designed by renowned architect Sir Norman Foster. The 840,000 sq ft, three-building McLaren Campus in Surrey serves as the headquarters for world-leading engineering outfit McLaren Racing and McLaren Automotive and is recognised for its award winning, environmentally advanced design. The site features innovative architectural elements, including lakes for on-site cooling and a self-cleaning roof that conserves natural resources as well as its state-of-the-art factory floor.
The sale of the property has generated an approximate £80 million gain on GNL's original purchase in 2021, supporting its long-term strategic objectives. Trowers also advised Global Net Lease on its original £170 million acquisition and leaseback of the site in 2021.
GNL is a publicly traded net lease real estate investment trust with a diverse, global portfolio of over 850 commercial properties.
The Trowers Team was led by Real Estate Partner Julien Allen and the transaction was led by Partner Samir Nathwani, assisted by Tom Hosking, Hannah Eastaff and Planning expert Tim Brown. Eversheds acted for the Buyer, using a team led by Philip Tunney. Trowers created and settled a US-style purchase agreement (with a hard-deposit due diligence trigger) within an English law contractual framework. The team advised on the sale and purchase arrangements as well as providing the vendor due diligence for the benefit of the Buyer's financers, who were represented by Pinsent Masons.
Michael Weil, CEO of Global Net Lease, commented:
"We are pleased to complete the sale of the McLaren Campus, which is another important step in the continued execution of our strategic initiatives in Europe and the United Kingdom. We are grateful to the Trowers team for its high-quality and tireless work in bringing this to fruition.
This disposition meaningfully strengthens our balance sheet by lowering leverage, giving us added flexibility to consider a range of strategic options, including share repurchases and acquisitions. This transaction demonstrates the strong progress we’re making across the business, and we look forward to carrying this momentum into 2026.”
Julien Allen, Partner in Real Estate, added:
"After ten years of working with Global Net Lease on their UK and European portfolios, we are delighted to be advising this valued client on a major transaction once again, this time on the sale of the McLaren Campus. This deal successfully concludes their latest disposition programme of 2025 and marks an exciting transition to their next strategic phase."
