A residential development finance case study – St John’s Wood, London
In May 2021, ASK provided a development facility of £23.6m (in conjunction with OakNorth Bank) to experienced developer Benjamin Goldkorn. The loan was secured against a c.10,000 sq ft, prime freehold residential property in St John’s Wood, London. The borrower’s plan was to redevelop the two properties into seven apartments and two duplexes, totalling c.18,000 sq ft whilst retaining its original grand Georgian villa façade. The properties were developed to a prime specification; access to the apartments is via a communal core at lower basement level which includes 9 car parking spaces, accessible by a car lift. Other features include a gym, cycle store, concierge services and media/storage rooms (available as an optional add-on).
The properties are situated on Hamilton Terrace, a prestigious residential street in St John’s Wood, an exceptionally well-regarded, residential area of North West London famous for Lord’s cricket ground. It has a high-street with local shops, restaurants and bars and is well-served by the Jubilee line at St John’s Wood and the Bakerloo line at Maida Vale. Surrounding properties on this wide, tree-lined road are typically detached or semi-detached grand villas, set back from the road and the development planned to retain its original grand Georgian villa façade. The units were designed to be large lateral living spaces; practical downsizing opportunities for those living in large villas and wanted to stay in the area. Pre-sales had already been agreed on three of the units, demonstrating demand for the proposed product.
Related Deals
A land assembly and planning case study – Acton, London
Between 2022 and 2024, ASK provided a series of senior loans to assist with a land assembly and planning strategy, totalling £17.3m, to a joint venture between VFund and Hurlington Capital. The loan was ultimately secured against an assembled 0.8-acre freehold site in Acton, West London, benefitting from planning permission for a large-scale, mixed-use redevelopment.
A prime residential planning and development case study – Lansdowne Walk, Notting Hill
ASK Partners completed a multi-phase financing for a prime residential redevelopment on Lansdowne Walk, Notting Hill, supporting an experienced sponsor from acquisition and planning through to full development funding. The transaction reflects ASK’s partnership approach, providing flexible capital at key stages to unlock value and progress complex development strategies.
In March 2023, ASK, alongside OakNorth Bank, provided a £22.75m senior acquisition and planning facility secured against two freehold properties at 2–4 and 12–14 Lansdowne Walk, within the Ladbroke Conservation Area. Following the successful grant of planning consent in November 2024, ASK agreed a £77.95m senior development facility in 2025, refinancing the original loan in full and providing funding to deliver the scheme through construction and fit-out.
A residential planning loan case study – Streatham, London
In 2020, ASK lent £8.9m to a joint venture between Hadley and Clarion Housing Group to support a major planning-led strategy for the redevelopment of an operating Homebase store on a 2.5-acre site in Streatham, South London.
The borrower’s plan was to obtain planning permission for a residential scheme on the site and then exit via a sale. The planning process became delayed due to the pandemic and ASK provided a new facility allowing the borrower to continue to pursue consent. Committee approval was given in March 2024 for 237 new homes (35% affordable) and a new GP surgery alongside landscaped public space. In June 2025 the site was sold with consent to a national housebuilder.
A land assembly and planning case study – Acton, London
Between 2022 and 2024, ASK provided a series of senior loans to assist with a land assembly and planning strategy, totalling £17.3m, to a joint venture between VFund and Hurlington Capital. The loan was ultimately secured against an assembled 0.8-acre freehold site in Acton, West London, benefitting from planning permission for a large-scale, mixed-use redevelopment.
