Development Leasing Team
Davis Coffer Lyons is the industry’s number one advisor for leisure content of major developments. Our Development Leasing Team, headed by Tracey Mills, advises on projects ranging from comprehensive regeneration to new developments and asset management, both in the UK and globally.
The team is currently instructed on 2 million sq ft of dedicated leisure development, forming part of schemes totalling over 10 million sq ft.
From carrying out reviews and audits of the leisure elements of major portfolios- such as the Grosvenor Estate’s entire Mayfair and Belgravia holdings- to advising on new shopping centre, mixed-use, leisure schemes and urban regeneration projects, our extensive knowledge draws on many years of experience dealing with some of the country's most prestigious and high profile landlords and developers.
The team also carries out regular research, sourcing the industry's most exciting new talent and up-and-coming operators for introduction to cutting-edge, contemporary development projects.
The extent of eating, drinking and ‘grazing” facilities has increased dramatically in percentage terms of overall developments in recent years- on average from 3% to 10%. As developers become increasingly aware of the importance of the eating, drinking and entertainment offer at the proposed projects, we equally recognise their need for reliable, leading advice based on exceptional market knowledge and unrivalled expertise.
We ensure our clients benefit from experience and help them achieve a strong tenant line-up, vital to complementing and attracting other users, from office or retail occupiers to residents. To see some of the projects we are currently advising on, click the Current Projects button below.
Our advice extends to:
- Optimum unit sizes and layout arrangement for operators
- Flexibility to accommodate ever changing consumer demand
- Implication of liquor licensing
- Benefit and impact of external seating
- Tenant mix; providing a wish-list of operators throughout the development programme
- Changes in leasing structures, lease covenants and differing methods of remuneration
- Ongoing asset management, identifying dated and flagging brands, introducing new blood
See a Selection of Our Current Projects 
See a Selection of our Previous Projects
Meet The Development Leasing Team
International Leisure Sourcing
International Leisure Sourcing
A vibrant and balanced leisure offer ensures the wider success of any new development. To ensure mixed uses complement each other and attract respective operators, DCL recognises that a sensitive and well-planned approach is required to targeting users. An eclectic offer creates a point of difference and enhances the attractiveness and vibrancy of a development, becoming a draw in its own right.
One method of creating a point of difference is to introduce new concepts from around the globe; concepts which are embraced by an ever-more sophisticated consumer population that is showing an unprecedented interest in food.
Advising on tenant mix has become a key part of our Development Team’s work. DCL is the only leisure adviser able to offer a truly global knowledge of our marketplace. Our unique international sourcing service focuses on attracting these exciting operators and delivering them to developments in the UK.
As a new wave of international operators enters these shores, so British brands and restaurateurs are branching out across the globe. And DCL is at the heart of this, helping UK operators source overseas opportunities and allowing them to break down the barriers of planning and leasing uncertainty.
International Track Record:
DCL recently introduced high style New York restaurant Megu to Elements at Union Square, Hong Kong - the largest mixed-use development in the world centred around the redevelopment of Kowloon station, a new transport hub for Hong Kong and China. Union Square encompasses some 6,000 luxury apartments, 2.5 million sq ft grade A office accommodation, the world's tallest tower with a 99th floor observation deck and a six star hotel, and at its heart, Elements - a unique 1,000,000 sq ft shopping, wining and dining destination with a vast landscaped rooftop oasis.
We have also advised developer Heron on its Heron Cities in Stockholm, Madrid and Barcelona and were responsible for introducing City Centre Restaurants for their Frankie & Benny’s brand roll-out.
In the UK, we have introduced South African restaurateurs TH Restaurants to Grosvenor’s Festival Place development in Basingstoke, where its Ciao Baby Italian restaurant concept has proved an enormous success. In London we introduced Russian restaurant group Vesta Centre International to award-winning mixed-use scheme Paddington Central to trade its Yakitoria Japanese restaurant and bar. In Mayfair we acted on behalf of Landlords City Site Estates to introduce exclusive restaurant Cipriani, from the world-famous team behind Harry’s Bar in Venice. We also brokered the deal that saw American restaurant giant Brinker International buy back its franchise rights from UK company Casual Dining Holdings with a view to rapid expansion of its Chili’s Grill & Bar and Romano’s Macaroni Grill brands throughout the UK.
