Development Leasing Team
Davis Coffer Lyons is the industry’s number one advisor for leisure, eating and drinking content of major developments and the London Estates. 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
- Encouraging operators to consider different trading formats to suit landlords requirements
- Implication of liquor licensing and capacity considerations
- 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. 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 on 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, and the world's tallest tower with a 99th floor observation deck and a six star hotel. And at its heart is 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 the following international operators:
Copenhagen’s Sticks ‘n’ Sushi restaurant to Wimbledon
New York’s Balthazar restaurant to Covent Garden on behalf of Covent Garden London
US Gourmet Mexican operation Cantina Laredo to Shaftesbury’s St Martin’s Courtyard development in Covent Garden
South African restaurateurs TH Restaurants to Grosvenor’s Festival Place development in Basingstoke and Westfield London for its Ciao Baby Cucina concept
Exclusive restaurant Cipriani to Mayfair on behalf of landlord City Site Estates
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.
