Deal Announcement: Seneca Property exits Premier Inn, Preston to Epsicap REIM for £9.75m

SENECA PROPERTY EXITS PREMIER INN, PRESTON TO EPSICAP REIM FOR £9.75M

Chrystal Capital Partners LLP (“Chrystal”), a Mayfair-based corporate finance and investment house, is pleased to announce that it has exited its investment in the Premier Inn, Preston.

“We have completed a number of acquisitions with Seneca over the past two years and it has been a revelation to see first hand how they manage assets to drive incremental yield. With Epsicap we know the asset has been passed onto a robust guardian who will enjoy significant income for years to come”

— James Innes, Managing Partner, Chrystal Capital

“There is no doubt that Chrystal Capital have demonstrated that they and their underlying family office investors understand our business model and how we can deliver value a very short period of time”

— Chris Bullough, Managing Director, Seneca Property

About Seneca Property  

Seneca Property is an independent real estate investor which seeks to provide exceptional income and growth investment opportunities for investors. Seneca invest across a range of sectors including office, retail, leisure, industrial, residential and healthcare.  

For more information about Seneca Property, please visit https://senecaproperty.com/.   

About Chrystal Capital Co-investments  

Single Family Offices (SFOs) and Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs) are continually seeking access to high quality, professionally structured and well managed co-investment opportunities across a range of asset classes, without having to directly source and negotiate these opportunities. The ideal scenario enables our clients to cherry pick the investment opportunities they participate in, with limited demands on their time and resources.  

Through our relationships with institutional investors, we enable SFOs and UHNWIs to gain access to attractive investment opportunities that they might otherwise not be aware of. We provide curated deal flow across a variety of sectors, asset classes and structures – all tailored to known, specified preferences. 

For more information about Chrystal Capital please visit https://www.chrystalcapital.com.  

  
For further information please contact:   
James Innes, Managing Partner  
james.innes@chrystalcapital.com   
https://www.chrystalcapital.com   

Deal Announcement: Condor Properties

CHRYSTAL CAPITAL ADVSISES CONDOR PROPERTIES ON ITS SALE TO BROOKFILED AND SHM 

Chrystal Capital Partners LLP (“Chrystal”), a Mayfair-based corporate finance and investment house, is pleased to announce that it has advised Condor Properties (“Condor”) on the sale of a portfolio comprising over 1,000 beds across 197 assets located in key UK university cities including Aberystwyth, Cardiff, Exeter, Liverpool, Loughborough, and Swansea. Condor’s established operating platform has been acquired by a joint venture between a trade operator and a major institutional investor, with the terms of the transaction remaining undisclosed. 

Since its inception in 2009, Condor Properties has become one of the UK’s fastest growing Student Accommodation providers. Originally assembled by a family office in the aftermath of the financial crisis, the Condor portfolio has grown into a substantial collection of student accommodation assets across the UK. Following an unsolicited approach, and with no family succession in place to oversee a portfolio of this scale, the owners decided the time was right to pursue a discreet and carefully managed sale process. 

““Having known Mark for over 15 years it was an honour to be given the responsibility of selling a portfolio of student housing that he had built up since 2010. We spent considerable time scoping the market and ensuring that we had a buyer who were serious in their intent to move quickly and deliver on promised terms. We now know there are a number of instiutional buyers in the market and how best to approach them.””

— James Innes, Managing Partner, Chrystal Capital

““No one had undertaken a transaction of the size and nature of Condor and we needed to trust an advisor that could take us through unchartered waters. James and his team got the job done in a matter of a few short months with an outcome that was good for all parties.””

— Mark Blandford, Owner & Chairman, Condor Properties

The Transaction

Brookfield Asset Management, a global alternative asset manager, and Student Homes Management (‘SHM’), a UK co-living investor with over 2,000 beds under management, have acquired a 997 bed UK-based student housing portfolio.

The acquisition of Condor Properties, an owner-operator specialising in student houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), represents Brookfield’s first foray into UK student HMO housing, having previously held a substantial purpose built student accommodation portfolio in the UK; for SHM, the acquisition adds significantly to their existing portfolio and widens their national presence within the student accommodation sector.

The joint venture between Brookfield and SHM has appointed Loc8me to manage the portfolio across its six university cities, including Exeter, Liverpool and Cardiff.

The acquisition is the largest student HMO deal in recent memory, coming hot on the heels of the Renters’ Rights Act, which received royal assent on 27th October. The sale of the HMO portfolio to Brookfield and SHM signals the beginning of a predicted shift towards institutional landlords within the rental sector as smaller portfolio landlords grapple with the changing regulatory landscape.

About Condor Properties  

Condor Properties is a specialist student letting agent operating in Aberystwyth, Cardiff, Coventry, Exeter, Hereford, Liverpool, Loughborough, and Swansea. It has a dedicated, highly reactive maintenance team and a dedicated Location Manager for each city where it lets student HMO properties.  

Condor has developed a strong brand and won the prestigious accolade of Corporate Landlord of the Year at the 2014/15 Landlord & Letting Awards. As an owner operator Condor actively manage all their properties. Operating in 8 cities across the UK their target market is middle to upper end student accommodation.  

For more information about Condor Properties, please visit https://www.condorproperties.co.uk/.    

About Chrystal Capital 

Chrystal Capital is an entrepreneurial corporate finance and investment house with an established global network of Single Family Offices (SFOs), Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs) and private equity co-investment partners.  We act as a conduit between our network members, providing bespoke solutions for their capital and investment objectives.  

Our core sectors are Digital Economy, Health & Wellness, Sustainable & Impact Investments, Property and Natural Resources.  

Our service areas are Advisory, Principal Investments and Co-investments. 

For more information about Chrystal Capital please visit https://www.chrystalcapital.com.  

  
For further information please contact:   
James Innes, Managing Partner  
james.innes@chrystalcapital.com   
https://www.chrystalcapital.com   

Deal Announcement: Castellum Capital Partners

CHRYSTAL CAPITAL ACTS AS FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO CASTELLUM CAPITAL PARTNERS

Chrystal Capital Partners LLP (“Chrystal”), a Mayfair-based corporate finance and investment house, is pleased to announce that it has advised Castellum Capital Partners Ltd (“Castellum”) on securing an investment from a family office investor in support of its short-duration UK specialty credit strategy focused on granular legal cost receivables.Castellum is an FCA-authorised investment adviser focused on funding fixed legal case costs on a non-recourse basis within UK housing disrepair litigation, with returns driven by contractual participation in law-firm fee recoveries.

““Castellum has developed a differentiated specialty credit strategy with short-duration assets, contractual return mechanics and a strong focus on downside protection. We are pleased to have supported the business in securing this investment and continue to work with the team as they seek further capital to scale the strategy.””

— James Innes, Managing Partner, Chrystal Capital

““This investment marks an important step for Castellum and provides further validation of our strategy, underwriting framework and operating model. We remain actively engaged with prospective investors as we seek further capital to support the continued scaling of the platform.””

— Timothy Rigby, Managing Partner, Castellum Capital Partners

About Castellum Capital Partners

Castellum Capital Partners is an FCA-authorised investment adviser focused on a short-duration UK specialty credit strategy funding granular, fixed legal cost receivables.

The strategy is designed to provide capital to experienced law firms on a non-recourse basis to fund defined fixed case costs within established legal frameworks, with returns driven by contractual participation in law-firm fee recoveries rather than binary litigation outcomes.

The strategy is focused on repeatable, small-ticket case deployments, with downside protection supported by insurance arrangements and a structure designed around capital recycling, disciplined underwriting and liquidity alignment. Castellum’s model is intended to provide investors with access to uncorrelated, cash-generative assets within a specialist area of private credit.

About Chrystal Capital

Chrystal Capital is a corporate finance and investment house with an established global network of Single Family Offices, Ultra High Net Worth Individuals and private equity co-investment partners. We act as a conduit between our network members, providing bespoke solutions for their capital and investment objectives.

Our core sectors are Digital Economy, Health & Wellness, Sustainable & Impact Investments, Natural Resources and Property.

Our service areas are Advisory, Principal Investments and Co-investments.

For further information please contact:

James Innes

Managing

James.innes@chrystalcapital.com

Deal Announcement: Panacap Cambridge Co-Living Platform

CHRYSTAL CAPITAL ACTS AS FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO PANACAP ON A CAMBRIDGE CO-LIVING FUND RAISE

Chrystal Capital Partners LLP (“Chrystal”), a Mayfair-based corporate finance and investment house, is pleased to announce that it acted as financial advisor to Panacap on a fund raise to support the acquisition, refurbishment and refinancing of residential properties in Cambridge to create professionally managed co-living assets. The strategy is executed through dedicated SPVs, with Panacap leading sourcing and execution and Babouris acting as the third-party operating partner.

““This transaction reflects the strength of the underlying Cambridge market and the appeal of a strategy combining disciplined acquisition, refurbishment and refinancing with an experienced local operating partner. We were delighted to advise Panacap on this fund raise and help position a compelling, scalable co-living opportunity for investors.””

— James Innes, Managing Partner, Chrystal Capital

““Chrystal provided valuable advice throughout the process and helped communicate the opportunity clearly and effectively to investors. Their support was important in helping us complete this fund raise and broaden the capital base for the strategy.””

— George Panayiotou, Panacap

About Panacap

Panacap is the investment and execution platform behind the strategy, focused on sourcing residential properties in Cambridge, overseeing refurbishment programmes and completing refinancings through dedicated SPV structures.

The platform is designed to create professionally managed co-living assets in a supply-constrained market with strong underlying tenant demand.About BabourisBabouris is a Cambridge-based property management business specialising primarily in HMOs.

Within the strategy, Babouris acts as the third-party operating partner, supporting letting and ongoing management of completed assets.

About Chrystal Capital

Chrystal Capital is a corporate finance and investment house with an established global network of Single Family Offices, Ultra High Net Worth Individuals and private equity co-investment partners. We act as a conduit between our network members, providing bespoke solutions for their capital and investment objectives.Our core sectors are Digital Economy, Health & Wellness, Sustainable & Impact Investments, Natural Resources and Property.

Our service areas are Advisory, Principal Investments and Co-investments.

For further information please contact:James InnesManaging Partner

james.innes@chrystalcapital.com https://www.chrystalcapital.com

Deal Announcement: Seneca Property

CHRYSTAL CAPITAL INTRODUCES FAMILY OFFICES AND UHNWI CO-INVESTORS TO SENECA PROPERTY

Chrystal Capital Partners LLP (“Chrystal”), a Mayfair-based corporate finance and investment house, is pleased to announce that it has acted as an introducer of capital to Seneca Property Investments Limited (“Seneca Property), an independent real estate investor, on its c.£6m purchase of the Tempus Court, Guildford, at a c.12.5% yield.  

The freehold property is characterised by a recent high grade communal area refurbishment, town centre location, 37 car parking spaces, 7 quality tenants providing a diverse income profile; and has room for asset management.  As with all our transactions alongside Seneca Property we have a significant initial cash yield on equity (10%) and a target net IRR in excess of 20% on a 3 year investment horizon.   

“Our investors like to work with experienced co-investment partners who have been in the market a long time. They know who the sellers are of premium assets in excellent locations. This is now our third deal with Seneca in little over a year and we hope to deploy more capital with them in 2025”

— James Innes, Managing Partner, Chrystal Capital

“There is a significant disconnect between market perception of commercial property risk in the regions and the realities. We are experienced operators of sub £10m sites and look to structure deals with low leverage and high equity returns.”

— Chris Bullough, Managing Director, Seneca Property

About Seneca Property 

Seneca Property is an independent real estate investor which seeks to provide exceptional income and growth investment opportunities for investors. Seneca invest across a range of sectors including office, retail, leisure, industrial, residential and healthcare. 

For more information about Seneca Property, please visit https://senecaproperty.com/.  

About Chrystal Capital Co-investments 

Single Family Offices (SFOs) and Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs) are continually seeking access to high quality, professionally structured and well managed co-investment opportunities across a range of asset classes, without having to directly source and negotiate these opportunities. The ideal scenario enables our clients to cherry pick the investment opportunities they participate in, with limited demands on their time and resources. 

Through our relationships with institutional investors, we enable SFOs and UHNWIs to gain access to attractive investment opportunities that they might otherwise not be aware of. We provide curated deal flow across a variety of sectors, asset classes and structures – all tailored to known, specified preferences. 

For more information about Chrystal Capital please visit https://www.chrystalcapital.com. 

 
For further information please contact:  
James Innes, Managing Partner 
james.innes@chrystalcapital.com  
https://www.chrystalcapital.com  

Deal Announcement: Seneca Property

CHRYSTAL CAPITAL INTRODUCES FAMILY OFFICES AND UHNWI CO-INVESTORS TO SENECA PROPERTY 

Chrystal Capital Partners LLP (“Chrystal”), a Mayfair-based corporate finance and investment house, is pleased to announce that it has acted as an introducer of capital to Seneca Property Investments Limited (“Seneca Property), an independent real estate investor, on its £6m purchase of the The Place, Maidenhead.   

The freehold property is characterised by its high EPC rating, town centre location, quality tenants with room for asset management.  As with all our transactions alongside Seneca Property we have a significant initial cash yield on equity and a target net IRR in excess of 20% on a 3 year investment horizon.    

“Interest rates are coming down. There are motivated sellers of quality commercial assets in the regions. We have downside protection through low leverage and a high quality building and tenants. If you want to get income of c.10% and are not constrained by timing then we believe that such investments should be a great addition to a wider investment portfolio.”

— James Innes, Managing Partner, Chrystal Capital

“It was very nice to see that the investors from the Chrystal network chose to back us into another property transaction. For those who know that life exists outside of London and are willing to make investment returns by being contrarian to the institutional investment houses then we would welcome a chat as there are plenty more opportunities to take advantage of.”

— Chris Bullough, Managing Director, Seneca Property

About Seneca Property 

Seneca Property is an independent real estate investor which seeks to provide exceptional income and growth investment opportunities for investors. Seneca invest across a range of sectors including office, retail, leisure, industrial, residential and healthcare. 

For more information about Seneca Property, please visit https://senecaproperty.com/.  

About Chrystal Capital Co-investments 

Single Family Offices (SFOs) and Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs) are continually seeking access to high quality, professionally structured and well managed co-investment opportunities across a range of asset classes, without having to directly source and negotiate these opportunities. The ideal scenario enables our clients to cherry pick the investment opportunities they participate in, with limited demands on their time and resources. 

Through our relationships with institutional investors, we enable SFOs and UHNWIs to gain access to attractive investment opportunities that they might otherwise not be aware of. We provide curated deal flow across a variety of sectors, asset classes and structures – all tailored to known, specified preferences. 

For more information about Chrystal Capital please visit https://www.chrystalcapital.com. 

 
For further information please contact:  
James Innes, Managing Partner 
james.innes@chrystalcapital.com  
https://www.chrystalcapital.com  

Chrystal Capital picks hot topic Succession Planning as first in series of breakfast talks

Earlier today, Chrystal Capital hosted the first in a new series of breakfast talks, and this mornings topic is considered one of the most significant concerns among family offices’ - Succession Planning.

Chaired by David Alexander from Pall Mall Family Office, over 18 SFOs gathered for breakfast at 5 Hertford Street to hear from two next-generation family members who have been or are currently going through the succession planning process.

Both Ben Goldsmith and H.E. Sheikh Nasser Bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani talked openly about their experiences, and offered our network insight into the challenges and, interestingly, the cultural differences that prevail in succession planning.

It is estimated that in the next 15 years over 69%* of single family offices are expected to undergo a generational transition. Securing a willing and able next generation of family members, who want to be involved in the management of their families’ wealth requires succession planning. In 2017, almost half of the family offices interviewed in the Campden Wealth Report stated that they have some form of plan in place, with another third still developing their strategies.

This event was the first in a newly launched Petit Déjeuner Breakfast Series organised by Chrystal Capital, where our investor network has the opportunity to hear first hand from their peers whose experiences have garnered significant recognition within their respected industry.

More Events articles >

*Campden Waalth Report 2017/2018.