The Client
A high-net-worth foreign national with a substantial global presence in the international construction industry was seeking finance to secure one of Chelsea's most prestigious properties.
The Situation
The client had identified a rare opportunity to acquire a super prime asset: an extended, eight-bedroom end-of-terrace house arranged over eight floors in one of London’s most sought-after boroughs. The property had a market value of £22.5 million and represented a significant addition to the client's UK holdings.
Having already exchanged on the purchase, the client faced a firm deadline. The vendor had set completion for 30th September, leaving an extremely narrow window to secure financing. The case was submitted to West One on 16th September, leaving around two weeks to structure, underwrite, and complete a complex £15.75 million bridging facility.
The urgency was absolute. Without a lender capable of moving at pace on a transaction of this scale and complexity, the client risked losing the property and the substantial deposit already committed at exchange. The challenge was not only the speed required, but also the sheer size of the loan and the coordination needed across valuations, legals, and credit underwriting to deliver certainty within such a compressed timeframe.
The Solution
From the outset, West One approached the case with urgency and senior-level involvement. Having met with the broker on 15th September, the case was formally submitted the following day. Recognising the complexity and time sensitivity, West One's leadership arranged an early security and client meeting at Head Office. The borrower flew in on just 48 hours' notice, demonstrating the commitment on both sides to progress the deal without delay.
The valuation was instructed on 18th September, with the report returned by 23rd September, a critical milestone that allowed underwriting to proceed with confidence. Both West One's legal team and the client's solicitors worked in lockstep to ensure all documentation was completed by 26th September, leaving sufficient time for final checks and funds release. The seller confirmed completion on 30th September, exactly as planned.
The facility completed at £15,750,000 on a 12-month term and was provided at a loan-to-value of 70% on a competitive rate. The structure allowed the client to secure the property immediately while retaining flexibility for their next steps.
The Benefit
By delivering the bridging loan in just 11 working days, West One enabled the client to complete on schedule and secure a landmark property that would have otherwise been lost. The speed and certainty of execution meant the client avoided forfeiting their deposit and maintained their reputation in a competitive market where delays can be costly.
Beyond the immediate transaction, the financing structure provided the client with breathing space to consider their longer-term strategy for the asset, whether that involved refinancing, development, or retention. The efficiency and professionalism demonstrated throughout the process also established a foundation of trust between the client, broker, and lender, one that is expected to support future transactions.
The Result
This case exemplified West One's capacity to deliver large-scale, time-critical bridging finance with precision and confidence. Despite the complexity of the transaction and the exceptionally tight deadline, the collaborative approach between West One's underwriting, legal, and sales teams ensured the deal progressed seamlessly from instruction to completion. The client successfully acquired one of Chelsea's most prestigious properties, and the broker's confidence in West One's ability to perform under pressure was firmly established.
Client Testimonial
The broker reflected: “I genuinely don't believe any other financial institution in the country could have delivered a near £16M bridging loan in just 11 working days. This has, without question, been the most impressive transaction I've ever worked on with a lender. You delivered exactly as promised.”
“Everything you outlined in our very first meeting unfolded just as you said it would. That level of integrity and execution is rare, and I'm incredibly glad we met. The trust is now firmly established, and I can confidently say you're my go-to lender for all future deals. I look forward to working with you again.”
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