EDGE Shaftesbury recapitalised with support from Japanese funding partners

Edge and Mitsubishi Estate London have partnered with a consortium of Japanese equity investors, including Tokyo Tatemono, Toko Electrical Construction and Fuyo General Lease, to fund the EDGE Shaftesbury scheme. Development financing has also been secured from Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank (SMTB), enabling works to start on site in early 2026.

The new funding commitments enable the project to proceed on a speculative basis, reflecting the joint venture’s confidence in sustainable office schemes in the Central London market. With limited new office supply combined with robust demand for high-quality workspace, the project is well positioned to respond to current market dynamics.

Plans for the transformation of the existing 1980s block were unanimously approved by Camden Council’s planning committee in April. The project will increase the building’s height from 11 to 13 floors and provide 250,000 sq ft of high-quality modern workspace, including workspace at the ground level, rooftop terraces, best-in class end-of-trip facilities and cycle parking.

A redesigned entrance on Charing Cross Road, public realm improvements and an increase in the number of active ground-floor frontages around the building will serve to enliven the surrounding area. The development will also reconnect Old Compton Street and New Compton Street.

Fons van Dorst, Executive Managing Director UK at Edge, said:

Securing this funding marks an important moment for EDGE Shaftesbury and for our partnership with Mitsubishi Estate London. This project will bring new life to a key part of the West End while setting a high bar for sustainable, future-focused workspaces. We are pleased to move into the delivery phase and look forward to creating a building that serves its occupiers, its neighbours and the wider city for many years to come.

Shinichi Kagitomi, Chief Executive of Mitsubishi Estate London, added:

We are pleased to be working alongside a group of well-respected investors to deliver a flagship office scheme in this under-served market. With start-of-works now imminent we look forward to progressing the project and advancing our discussions with prospective occupiers.

Fumio Tajima, Managing Executive Officer of Tokyo Tatemono, said:

We are honoured to make our first investment in the UK market by partnering with Edge and Mitsubishi Estate London, renowned leaders with exceptional expertise, to deliver a flagship, sustainable prime office development. This milestone marks Tokyo Tatemonos entry into the UK, and we are committed to leveraging this opportunity to create long-term value and set new standards for environmentally responsible urban development.

Sohail Nassiri, Head of European Real Estate Finance at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, said:

We are thrilled to continue supporting our relationship with Mitsubishi Estate London, and to embark on a new relationship with Edge by providing this important £360m sole arranger financing. EDGE Shaftesbury will deliver a sustainable, high-specification workspace building, positively impacting the community and the built environment. We remain committed to partnering on such schemes.

Edge is internationally recognised as a leader in developing highly sustainable, tech-enabled offices, and its flagship The Edge in Amsterdam, is one of the most sustainable office buildings in the world. At EDGE Shaftesbury, around 75% of the existing structure will be retained to minimise embodied carbon and the building will be built to BREEAM Excellent standard.

Completion is anticipated in 2028.

JLL advised on both the equity and debt deals.