Lenders take over Goldman Sachs offices
GOLDMAN Sachs’ headquarters in London has been taken over by lenders after the owner fell into receivership, it emerged yesterday.
The buildings in Fleet Street belonged to Antedon, an offshore real estate firm, which has defaulted on a loan, according to a weekend report.
Antedon’s lenders, led by Landesbank subsidiary Berlin Hyp, have appointed Jones Lang LaSalle as receiver for the properties.
A spokesperson for Jones Lang LaSalle confirmed this yesterday, adding: “We are currently reporting to stakeholders on strategic options for these assets. No decision on any disposal has been made at this stage.”
Antedon is thought to have bought Peterborough Court and Daniel House for £355m in 2007, the height of the property boom. A company trading as Jesta Capital now claims to own Peterborough Court on its website, but does not explain what, if any, relationship it has with Antedon. Jesta refused to answer questions when contacted yesterday.
Carter Lemon Camerons, the law firm said to be acting for Antedon, was unavailable for comment.
Goldman has a lease on the two buildings until 2026, which should not be affected by the receivership proceedings.
The banking group also occupies the River Court building in Fleet Street, which has been owned by a consortium of Irish investors since it was built in 2000. Reports over the summer claimed the building, previously home to the Daily Express, would be put on the market shortly.
Goldman has based its European headquarters on Fleet Street since 1991, and now has more than 5,000 employees in its London offices. The Peterborough Court building is the former headquarters of the Daily Telegraph, and its art deco entrance is often used as a setting for film and television productions.