"In today's market, where traditional lenders are tightening credit standards, private capital providers like Mera are stepping up to deliver the speed, flexibility, and appetite that high street banks increasingly cannot match"
- James Fenwick - Mera Investment Management
Mera Investment Management has delivered an £18m residential refurbishment facility for a penthouse in central London. The finance covers both the refinance of a private banking loan and the completion of refurbishment to a high specification. The borrower has previously exited a prime central London development worth more than £60 million, demonstrating a strong delivery record.
The deal highlights ongoing interest in the city’s ultra-prime market, which continues to draw U.S. and international buyers looking for high-value assets. Recent purchases by high-profile American investors illustrate the appeal of properties that combine prestige with long-term value.
“This is a truly exceptional asset, completely unique within the current market and an absolute showstopper,” said James Fenwick, senior structured finance analyst at Mera Investment Management (pictured). “Prime central London continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, with American buyers in particular showing sustained appetite for ultra-prime residential properties. In today's market, where traditional lenders are tightening credit standards, private capital providers like Mera are stepping up to deliver the speed, flexibility, and appetite that high street banks increasingly cannot match.”
The transaction follows Mera’s £15m facility for a 42,000 sq ft luxury self-storage scheme in Mayfair, reported in The Times. Together, these facilities take their loan book beyond £100 million. During the past year, Mera has doubled its assets under management and raised the average loan size to £9 million, aiming for £200m by late 2026.
Mera continues to support high-end London residential projects. Earlier this year, the firm financed the conversion of a former nursery in South Kensington into a luxury three-bedroom apartment, offering an 18-month senior debt facility for acquisition and refurbishment. During the build, Mera introduced additional construction advances and a complementary equity loan when the borrower requested a higher specification. That support led to an early redemption and a timely investor exit.
The company is also diversifying across a wider range of asset types. Its portfolio includes co-living, regional office repositioning in locations such as Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and specialist sectors like self-storage. Mera has recently expanded its investor network and is assessing new international private capital sources, with increasing interest from U.S. investors looking to deploy funds into UK real estate.
