Tristan’s fund provides £35.4m debt for film studio in North London

Tristan's fund provides £35.4m debt for film studio in North London

Tristan Capital Partners’ TIPS One, its real estate debt fund, has provided £35.4 million of senior debt to UK-based property developer, Ziser London for the refinancing of London North Studios, a film and TV studio with office and ancillary space in North London.

The asset, which comprises 182,764 sq ft on a 5 acres site, is one of the largest filming spaces in Greater London with six studios, an office, and ancillary production space.

Located in Mill Hill and within the M25, the asset is well placed to attract film and TV production companies due to the excellent transport links and proximity to creative talent across North and East London.  

The funding has been provided to refinance and stabilise the asset with a focus on increasing occupancy and creating recurring business amongst content creators, capitalising on the significant supply-demand imbalance in the sector.

Dan Pottorff, Head of Debt Investment at Tristan Capital Partners, said: “The core strategy of TIPS One is to provide finance to sponsors with a track record of developing and investing in prime assets to drive income and capital growth.

“The studio market is currently structurally under-supplied and the shift towards content on demand is driving requirements for well-located filming production spaces and putting pressure on market rents. Meanwhile, the asset’s high degree of optionality and potential for residential and industrial re-development makes it an attractive proposition for financing.”

Guy Ziser, CEO of Ziser London, said: “Working with Adam and the team at BBS Capital enabled us to agree attractive financing with a best-in-class provider, Tristan Capital Partners. This will help us to bring forward London North Studios to meet its exceptional potential in the sector.

Debt advisor BBS Capital acted on behalf of Ziser London.

Adam Buchler, managing director at BBS Capital, commented: “We’re seeing more and more activity from this alternative but highly attractive asset class which is currently in vogue due to the supply and demand imbalance in the sector. As the sector matures, we expect more players will follow the example of forward-thinking lenders such as Tristan’s TIPS One fund in lending against prime assets such as London North Studios.”

Tristan Capital Partners was advised by DWF.