Vijay is a commercial property partner specialising in finance and development across the real estate sector. He advises investors, developers, and funders on all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions and disposals, development agreements, commercial leases, property management, and financing arrangements for both investment and development projects.
With extensive experience in the clean energy sector, Vijay has acted for developers, funders, and contractors on the real estate aspects of clean energy and energy-from-waste projects. He also acts for clients in the hotels, hospitality and leisure sector, advising property owners, investors, and operators on transactions, operations, and portfolio management.
Vijay’s clients range from institutional investors and major developers to entrepreneurial businesses and specialist funders.
Vijay was genuinely instrumental in helping us overcome the seemingly endless obstacles we faced to develop our ‘never been done before’ projects. Our high regard for Vijay is borne out of years of dedication to helping us.
Andy Allen, Oasthouse Ventures
Expertise
- Development Agreements & Contracts
- Real Estate Finance
- Commercial Leasing & Management
- Energy
- Hotels, Hospitality & Leisure
Experience
Development Agreements & Contracts
- Advised a global logistics company on the development of a major 675,000 sq. ft fulfilment centre.
- Advised on the £120m development of two sites for low-carbon commercial glasshouses with infrastructure for delivery of heat from both renewable and waste heat sources.
- Advised the delivery partner for a major Ministry of Defence outsourcing of its logistics function. This involved the negotiation of an agreement for the development of an 875,000 sq. ft fulfilment centre in Donnington and transfer of over 70 existing operational sites.
- Acted on the acquisition of a 200-acre site in West Raynham for the development of a 49.9MW solar photo-voltaic system in conjunction with corporate and commercial teams.
- Negotiated a development agreement for a lease with Accor (Adagio brand) conditional on construction of a 242-key aparthotel in Whitechapel.
Real Estate Finance
- Acted for a major European bank on the sale of a portfolio of loans secured by properties in four different jurisdictions, managing all aspects with an international team of associates.
- Acted for a UK funder in connection with a loan facility to assist with the development of a 22-storey mixed-use tower and adjoining (pre-let) hotel in Elephant & Castle, the site being divided by a railway and overhanging Network Rail’s adjoining land.
- Advised in connection with a £112m restructure and refinancing of a hotel group.
Commercial Leasing & Management
- Acted for a major global IT company, as “virtual in-house counsel”, providing all-round real estate support for its properties in the EMEA region.
- Acted on the disposal of a £25m prime London tenanted property, with provisions allocating risk concerning ongoing building works, building contract obligations, and potentially irrecoverable service charge.
- Acted on the acquisition of £83m hotel in Bloomsbury, managing the extensive due diligence exercise.
- Negotiated an agreement for lease (conditional on change of use and listed building consent) for new head offices at Cavalry Square for a global branding company.
Energy
- Advised on the £120m development of two sites for low-carbon commercial glasshouses with infrastructure for delivery of heat from both renewable and waste heat sources.
- Advised a solar investment fund on the real estate aspects of the acquisition of numerous solar projects, including a 49.9MW site.
- Acted for the developers on the acquisition, promotion, and sale of a succession of ground-mounted solar development sites.
- Advised a developer on the project lease for an advanced thermal treatment plan.
- Advised a biomass heat provider on the development of a fluidised bed combustion plant at a poultry farm.
- Acted for a developer on the acquisition of numerous sites for the development of energy storage facilities.
- Advised an electric car charging point installer on its lease arrangements with various local authorities.
- Reported on real estate due diligence aspects in favour of a bank, providing loan facilities secured by a portfolio of solar projects.
- Advised a biomass and heat pump supplier on its framework documents for the installation of its products.
Hotels, Hospitality & Leisure
- Acted for a hotel investor on the refinancing and restructuring of a hotel portfolio, for a loan facility of £100m.
- Negotiated a development agreement for a lease with Accor (Adagio brand) conditional on construction of a 242-key aparthotel in Whitechapel.
- Advised a hotel developer on the launch of a new pod-concept hotel brand in the UK.
- Acted on the acquisition of £83m hotel in Bloomsbury, managing the extensive due diligence exercise.
- Advised in connection with a £112m restructure and refinancing of a hotel group.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recommended by The Legal 500 2015 for Property and Property Finance
Career
Vijay qualified as a solicitor in 2003. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2025, he worked at the following firms:
- Gateley
- Bird & Bird
- Wragge & Co