LONDON – Global law firm Reed Smith has advised Crayon Partners on the corporate structuring, real estate acquisition, and financing for the debut close of its pan-European residential fund, Crayon Jaune. Signed and closed on 23 October 2025, the transaction involved the acquisition of 17 rent-to-buy residential units in Southall, Greater London. This acquisition marks a significant step for Crayon Jaune, which aims to address affordability challenges in the housing market. The rent-to-own model provides first-time buyers with an optional right to buy within two to four years, and allows tenants to apply up to 100% of their rental payments towards their future deposit.

The units form part of “The Green Quarter,” a major regeneration project by Berkeley Group that is delivering 3,700 new homes, extensive parkland and amenities, and strong connectivity, located just a three-minute walk from Southall station on the Elizabeth Line.

The portfolio comprises 2- and 3-bedroom apartments designed for first-time buyers, each with balconies and at least two bathrooms, aligning with Crayon Jaune’s strategy to support households otherwise excluded from traditional mortgage financing.

Reed Smith’s cross-practice team, led by Sarah Caldwell, Katie Grace, Samantha Roberts, Nav Sahota, Josh Hogan, and Olivia Grant, supported Crayon Partners throughout the full lifecycle of the transaction. The team advised on corporate structuring, acquisition agreements and due diligence, securing financing, and providing ongoing support on the operational aspects of the fund.

The successful completion of this transaction allows Crayon Partners to initiate its fund deployment strategy, with the financing structure in place to support the fund’s continued growth and future acquisitions.

As Europe’s first institutional rent-to-own residential fund, Crayon Jaune represents a significant innovation in the housing market, and this first UK acquisition marks the beginning of its wider European rollout.

This acquisition marks a key milestone for Crayon Jaune, laying a strong foundation for the fund’s innovative rent-to-own model in the competitive UK real estate market. The social impact strategy provides many first-time buyers with an opportunity to own their own home, and facilitates growth in the property market. It also underscores Reed Smith’s ability to navigate complex, cross-practice transactions, providing integrated legal support across real estate, corporate structuring, finance, and more.

The team also included: Harrison Stimson, Julia Berry, Hugo Collantier, Georgia Crossman, Anastasia Dimitriadi, Sara Kemp, Amelia Liu, Joy-Emma Martin, Diana Barbut, Walia Chinula, Courtney Kruger.