Alantra advised Foster + Partners, the world-renowned architectural practice, on the buy-out of 3i’s shareholding

May 2014

Debt restructuring

Alantra has advised Foster + Partners, the world-renowned architectural practice, on the buy-out of 3i’s shareholding. This transaction completes the practice’s transition of the ownership of the business to a long-term partnership model.

Alantra originally advised on the 3i investment in Foster + Partners in 2007. This investment has supported the practice’s growth through diversification by geography and service, as well as enabling its transition to a partnership model. Since 2007, the practice has almost doubled its sales in the US, which now accounts for 27% of billings. It has also tripled its activity in Asia, where billings have grown from 8% in 2007 to 27% today, with particularly strong growth coming from China.

During the investment period, Foster + Partners has won over 700 projects across 60 countries, including Apple’s headquarters in the US; new airports in Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Panama; Bloomberg’s headquarters in London; 425 Park Avenue Tower, New York, the first new building on Park Avenue for 50 years; and the Global Financial Centre in Shanghai’s Bund district. Today, Foster + Partners has a record £290m order book and is well positioned for future growth, with an enhanced geographic footprint and service offering.