Bourne Capital is a British integrated property investment and leisure group based in London.[1]
The company focuses on the ownership and active management of mixed-use estates in London, notably in Queensway and Waterloo, as well as selected overseas development projects. As of 2018[update], Bourne Capital reported assets under management of approximately £600 million.[citation needed]
Bourne Capital was founded in 1989 by Robert Bourne, a chartered accountant and property investor. Prior to establishing Bourne Capital, Bourne was a co-founder of Local London Group (LLG), which became a leading operator in the London serviced office sector during the 1980s. LLG was listed on the stock market in 1986 and was sold in 1989 for approximately £120 million.[citation needed]
The business philosophy of Bourne Capital evolved from the LLG model of enhancing property value through active management and marketing, but extended this approach by integrating leisure, entertainment, and cultural uses into property estates to increase footfall and long-term value.
Holdings
London estates
Across its London estates, Bourne Capital has developed leisure, cultural, and hospitality venues intended to complement commercial and residential uses, contributing to place-making and sustained occupancy levels.[citation needed]
Queensway
The Queensway Estate, bordering Hyde Park, comprises freehold property across the northern section of Queensway, including more than 130,000 square feet of retail space.
The company has engaged in long-term discussions with Westminster City Council regarding redevelopment proposals for the estate. These proposals include refurbishment of retail units, construction of new residential developments delivering 63 residential units, new office developments providing over 52,000 square feet of workspace, and public-realm improvements.[citation needed]
Waterloo
The Waterloo Estate comprises approximately 163,000 square feet (15,100m2) and includes offices, serviced offices, retail premises, restaurants, and bars on an island site opposite Waterloo station. Bourne Capital has announced plans to redevelop parts of the estate to create over 260,000 square feet of new office space.[citation needed]
Leisure and entertainment
Bourne Capital has interests in leisure and entertainment venues in London, including theatres, restaurants, and bars. Properties associated with the group have included Queens Ice and Bowl (Queensway), Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Geisha Bar (Chinatown), Cheyne Walk Brasserie, and Waterloo Brasserie.[citation needed]
Old Vic Productions PLC, part of the wider group, operates as a theatrical production company and has been involved in productions such as Billy Elliot the Musical and The Vagina Monologues.[citation needed]
Theatres and philanthropic activity
The company has been involved in the restoration of several historic London theatres, including Richmond Theatre, the Old Vic, and the Criterion Theatre. The Collins Music Hall in Islington has also undergone redevelopment. In these cases, charitable trusts were established to preserve the theatres for public benefit.[citation needed]
Sally Greene has served as chief executive of the Old Vic, working alongside its chairman, Sir Elton John. Lord Attenborough was appointed chairman of the Criterion Theatre.[citation needed]
French operations
Bourne Capital has acquired hotels in Saint-Tropez and Courchevel, France. In 2009, the company announced plans to launch Château St Tropez, the first in a proposed series of high-end rental properties described as “Private Palaces”.[citation needed]
Special Opportunities Fund
In June 2008, Bourne Capital established a Special Opportunities Fund to co-invest alongside banks, institutions, and joint-venture partners. The fund was created to acquire and reposition assets affected by adverse financial conditions through integrated property and leisure strategies.[citation needed]
