Record-breaking loan fuels Edinburgh development
Aria Finance has announced the successful completion of a £31 million bridging loan, the largest in its history since the 2022 merger of Enterprise Finance and Vantage Finance. The transaction, arranged in partnership with Shawbrook’s structured real estate finance team, marks a significant milestone for the specialist property finance broker.
The funding package comprises a £28.6 million bridging facility and an additional top-up VAT bridge, structured to support a major commercial development project in Edinburgh. The bespoke solution was delivered by Shawbrook’s team, led by director Piragash Sivanesan, in collaboration with Aria Finance’s sales and commercial director, Joe Aston.
Aston described the deal as a “significant achievement” for the company, underlining Aria’s capability to “deliver substantial funding solutions for large-scale property developments across the UK.”
“By working closely with our long-term trusted partner Shawbrook, we were able to deliver a highly complex funding structure that enables our client to proceed with a major development in one of Edinburgh’s most sought-after locations,” said Aston. “It’s a fantastic example of how we navigate challenging financial situations to deliver outstanding results.”
Sivanesan noted the complexity and scale of the transaction, describing it as “one of the largest that the bank has ever completed.” “The complexity and scale of this commercial bridging loan with multiple stakeholders showcases our solution first structured real estate capabilities,” said Sivanesan. “With tailored loan structuring and dedicated relationship management, we’ve been able to support the client with their ambitious regeneration project in Edinburgh city centre.”
Formed through the merger of two established brokers, Aria now operates as part of Enra Specialist Finance and offers access to a broad panel of lenders, including high street banks, challengers, and private funders.
Both Aria and Shawbrook have indicated a commitment to future collaborations on similarly structured projects.
What are your thoughts on the recently completed transaction? Share your insights below.
