Walker Morris advises Unite Group on £60 million development site sale
27th October 2026
Walker Morris has advised Unite Group, the UK’s leading owner, manager and developer of student accommodation, on the £60 million sale of its King’s Place development site in Southwark, London, to an affiliate of Far East Orchard.
The transaction forms part of Unite Group’s ongoing strategy to realise value from development land and other non-student assets while increasing its focus on the UK’s strongest university markets.
Walker Morris advised Unite Group on all aspects of the transaction. The multidisciplinary team was led by Real Estate Partner Will Cousins, supported by Emma Garside (Senior Associate, Real Estate), Tom Peel (Partner, Construction & Engineering), Matthew Lyons (Associate, Construction & Engineering), Josh Kitson (Partner, Planning & Infrastructure Consents), Ellis Cleland (Associate, Planning & Environment), Nicola Parkinson (Partner, Tax), Natalie Grey (Senior Associate, Tax), and Alan Harper (Partner, Intellectual Property, Trade Marks & Designs) and Emily Kettlewell (Associate, Intellectual Property, Trade Marks & Designs).
Discussing the transaction, Will Cousins said: “This is an important transaction for Unite Group and another example of the business executing its strategy with real discipline and clarity.
“King’s Place is a high-profile London development site and we’re pleased to have supported Unite Group in securing a successful outcome. It was a great example of different teams across Walker Morris working closely together to deliver the deal.”
The transaction adds to the team’s strong track record of advising clients on significant real estate and development transactions across the UK.
