BLP scores double whammy on St James Group developments

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has won a double victory on residential property deals. The firm's construction group is advising St James Group on the development of luxury apartments at Grosvenor Dock on the Chelsea embankment of the River Thames and SeaCon Wharf on Westferry Road, a short walk from Canary Wharf.

The mandate shows the strength of BLP's relationship with St James, which recently instructed Newcastle-based Watson Burton on a North London development because of a personal connection with the project manager in charge of the scheme.

BLP advised Westminster Council during the sale of the Grosvenor Dock site to St James. Following the February 2001 sale, BLP was retained by St James - initially to advise on the procurement of the residential development.

Since then, BLP has acted for St James in relation to several other developments in the area. The firm has reviewed and updated the group's standard form construction documents and tailored them to meet the requirements of Grosvenor Dock. These revised documents will be rolled out on a number of other similar projects in the London area, including SeaCon Wharf.

The Grosvenor Dock development, which is estimated to be valued at more than £100m, comprises the phased construction of up to 550 exclusive waterside apartments for sale to the public. It also involves renovations to the dock wall, a new footbridge and the provision of social housing.

John Hughes-D'Aeth, who is leading the deal, said: "The Grosvenor Dock and Express Wharf developments are a breakthrough for BLP, because they will help us to establish ourselves in advising high-profile developers in the luxury residential development arena."

St James is currently being advised in-house on the provision of social housing, which the group is required to do in order to secure the relevant planning permission.