Business

Are you looking for Mezzanine debt finance for your property development?

Published

4 years ago

April 20, 2021

Getting funding for an upcoming project is never an easy ordeal. Property developers and builders have to work hard to secure funding for their upcoming projects, especially during these unprecedented times of Covid-19. Obtaining funding is especially hard for small developers and builders as the market is dominated by high-end developers and big-time builders. Of course, factors such as the rising cost of land and the strict lending criteria do not make it any easier for small developers and builders to secure financing. If you are looking for Mezzanine debt finance for your property development, here is everything that you need to know.

What is Mezzanine debt finance?

First, let’s talk about Mezzanine debt finance. When a builder or a development company has fully utilised their debt borrowing capacity or looking to preserve their senior debt for the future, the builder or developer will need to look for an additional source of capital. This capital could be used for growth opportunities such as starting new projects or taking over ongoing projects and distributing among shareholders, and in some cases, buying back shares from shareholders. This is when developers need to start raising finance for property development.

Equity vs Mezzanine debt finance

Now, there are two options. One option is to raise more equity, which means that the builder or developer has to further dilute their share in order to get funding. The second, and more viable option, is Mezzanine financing. Mezzanine debt is used to bridge the gap between equity financing and debt. In simpler terms, think of Mezzanine financing as a more expensive form of debt or a cheaper form of equity. Since it is a more affordable form of equity, the interest rate is higher while the overall cost of capital is lower. Mezzanine debt financing allows a developer to get the highest return on investment while putting in the least amount of capital.

Let’s say a high-end builder wants to take over an ongoing project that has £20 million in debt, but the builder does not want to put up their capital. So, the builder will look for Mezzanine financing to cover around £15 million while the builder will only have to invest £5 million from their capital. Since the builder used Mezzanine debt financing, it will be possible to convert the debt into equity only once certain criteria are met. However, this allows the builder to reduce the amount of capital required to complete the transaction and eventually allows the debt to convert into profitable equity.

Tools for Mezzanine debt finance

For builders and developers who are looking for Mezzanine debt financing, technology is a great boon! Now, there are so many online tools that have made the process of securing funding so much easier. Sqft.Capital is one such company that works as an online finance raising tool for property developers and provides mezzanine debt for property developers! Sqft.Capital is a platform that has been created for UK property developers to model their deals, raise debt and equity, secure funding and optimise profits seamlessly.

The average debt raise request for Sqft.Capital is £2,945,179, while the average mezz raise request is £1,088,745. The average equity raise request is £688,211, and the average GDV projects that this company raises funding on is £4,640,130. This platform allows builders and developers to use free tools to model a financial projection and then puts all the data together to make it look presentable for lenders. Once the model is ready, Sqft.Capital finds the best financing options for the upcoming project, which either have the highest profit or require the least amount of equity.

Why choose Mezzanine debt finance?

One important reason that developers should opt for Mezzanine debt financing is that it allows them to increase their internal rate of return. Also, since the developers do not have to give up equity, they have complete control over their projects and businesses. Usually, when developers get more equity partners on boards, things can get messy. Additionally, the main chunk of mezzanine finance is payable as an exit fee when the loan is redeemed, which means most of the cost is a charge on profits.

Business

Mega Construction Projects That Relied on Advanced Crane Technology

Published

2 weeks ago

February 21, 2025

Matthew Wiles

When it comes to large-scale construction projects, the right equipment can make all the difference. From towering skyscrapers to massive bridges and complex infrastructure developments, cranes play a crucial role in lifting, transporting, and positioning heavy materials with precision and efficiency. As technology has advanced, so too has crane engineering, allowing for safer and more ambitious builds. In the points below, we take a closer look at some of the world’s most impressive mega construction projects that relied on cutting-edge crane technology to bring them to life.

Burj Khalifa – Dubai, UAE

Standing at a staggering 828 metres, the Burj Khalifa remains the tallest building in the world. Constructing such a colossal structure required cranes that could operate at extreme heights. Specialised luffing-jib tower cranes were employed to lift materials hundreds of metres into the air, battling high winds and desert heat. These cranes were anchored to the structure itself as it rose, ensuring stability and precision throughout the build.

Sydney Metro – Australia

As Australia’s largest public transport infrastructure project, the Sydney Metro has transformed the way people move around the city. The project required massive tunnel boring machines (TBMs) to carve underground routes, but just as critical were the cranes used to transport and position enormous precast concrete segments. Mobile and crawler cranes with advanced hydraulic systems played a key role in assembling stations and track infrastructure with minimal disruption to existing road networks.

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge – China

This engineering marvel, stretching 55 kilometres across the Pearl River Delta, is one of the longest sea crossings ever built. Given its scale, floating cranes with immense lifting capacity were used to position pre-fabricated bridge sections. Some of these cranes had lifting capabilities exceeding 3000 tonnes, demonstrating the sheer power and precision required for such a complex marine project.

The Panama Canal Expansion – Panama

The expansion of the Panama Canal was one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in recent history, involving the construction of massive new lock chambers. Gigantic gantry cranes were used to install the enormous steel lock gates, some weighing over 3000 tonnes. These cranes had to operate with pinpoint accuracy to ensure the seamless functioning of the canal’s new locks, allowing for the passage of larger vessels.

Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station – UK

The construction of this next-generation nuclear power plant has required some of the world’s most advanced heavy-lift cranes. The site features one of the largest land-based cranes in the world, capable of lifting reactor components that weigh hundreds of tonnes. These high-tech cranes have been crucial in ensuring the safe and efficient assembly of the plant’s intricate infrastructure.

The Role of Advanced Crane Technology in Modern Construction

Each of these projects would have been impossible without the evolution of crane technology. Innovations such as digital load monitoring, autonomous operation, and enhanced safety systems have allowed cranes to handle heavier loads with greater precision than ever before. For companies tackling complex construction projects, working with an experienced crane hire provider is essential. Businesses like Sventek Cranes offer cutting-edge crane solutions, ensuring that even the most ambitious projects can be completed safely and efficiently.

Mega construction projects continue to push the limits of engineering and design, and advanced crane technology remains at the heart of these achievements

Whether it’s lifting components for a record-breaking skyscraper or positioning bridge segments over open water, cranes will always be an integral part of building the world’s most remarkable structures. By leveraging state-of-the-art crane systems, today’s construction industry is making the impossible possible – one lift at a time.