Nabarro wins gold with marathon role on Olympic Park redevelopment

Nabarro will advise the joint venture between Lend Lease and London & Continental Railways on the development, construction and pre-letting issues surrounding The International Quarter – a planned commercial district in Stratford City that will include 4m sq ft of office space, 350 homes and a new hotel.

Nabarro got the mandate, which could last ten years, after winning a competitive tender that began in spring. Real estate head Ciaran Carvalho is leading on the project, assisted by partners Marc Franks and Nicholas Vergette and a team of four associates.

Carvalho said the tender process involved a written submission, followed by a Q&A session and then finally a 90-minute presentation. He added that Nabarro had agreed to do some elements of the work for a fixed fee while other parts would have to be scoped nearer the time.

Nabarro has done some a small amount of work for Lend Lease in the past. The property group instructs a wide variety of firms, including Berwin Leighton Paisner, Eversheds, Linklaters, Pinsent Masons and Slaughter and May.

Herbert Smith, led by partner Matthew White, secured planning permission for The International Quarter in 2011 and will continue to act for the joint venture between Lend Lease and London & Continental Railways on all planning issues arising on the project.

“It’s a fantastic project to be associated with,” said Carvalho, who noted that the firm put forward an experienced team and spent a significant amount of time on the pitch, adding: “There’s no point going for something like this unless you’re going to take it seriously. It’s a big project and could run for 10 years.”