Grand Canal Capital Partners
Dublin · Est. on the Grand Canal
Grand Canal Capital Partners
Grand Canal Capital Partners · Dublin

Navigating Success in Real Estate Investment

Real Estate Investment · Hotel Investment · Asset Management · Advisory

Our approach
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02 · What we do
01 · Investment

Opportunity, Captured with Discipline

We combine private equity methodology with deep regional expertise — exploiting pricing gaps, capital improvement opportunities and market timing to deliver strong risk-adjusted outcomes across Ireland, the UK and Europe.

01 · Approach

Grand Canal Capital Partners is a Dublin-based private real estate investment and asset management firm dedicated to providing strategic investment and advisory services in the real estate market.

Founded by industry experts Christopher Belton, Jonathan Hillyer, and Aaron Sherlock, we partner with a diverse range of clients, including high-net-worth individuals, private equity firms, and institutional investors, to unlock value in high-potential properties.

We leverage current market dynamics, particularly the ongoing commercial market correction, to capture opportunities that generate attractive risk-adjusted returns in the short to medium term.

With over 60 years of combined experience in real estate and finance, our team excels at identifying overlooked opportunities and executing complex investment strategies. We pride ourselves on our proactive, strategic approach, utilising detailed market analysis, candid insights, and hands-on management to drive performance.

At Grand Canal Capital Partners, our mission is clear: to build sustainable, growth-oriented real estate portfolios for our clients and partners. Through our commitment to excellence, we strive to transform challenges into strategic opportunities, ensuring long-term success for our investors.

02 · What we do
01 · Investment

Opportunity, Captured with Discipline

We combine private equity methodology with deep regional expertise — exploiting pricing gaps, capital improvement opportunities and market timing to deliver strong risk-adjusted outcomes across Ireland, the UK and Europe.

02 · Asset management

Assets, Managed to Perform

Proactive oversight of acquisitions, development, leasing, financing and disposal — empowering investors to achieve their objectives, with every mandate customised to the client partnership.

03 · Advisory

Counsel of Institutional Quality

Underwriting and buy-side brokerage tailored to equity investors, private equity firms and lenders in Ireland and internationally — grounded in financial modelling, market analysis and candid insight.

03 · The house

Built on the Grand Canal

A Dublin-based private real estate investment and asset management firm, founded by Christopher Belton, Jonathan Hillyer and Aaron Sherlock. We partner with high-net-worth individuals, private equity firms and institutional investors to unlock value in high-potential properties. Our mission is clear: to build sustainable, growth-oriented real estate portfolios for our clients and partners.

04 · Track record

Experience, Proven at Scale

€0bn+
Valuations advised
€0bn+
Hotel transactions advised
€0bn+
Investment transactions advised
0+
Years of combined experience

Figures reflect the partners' careers across real estate investment, valuation and hospitality advisory.

€26bn valuation & transfer programme — Allied Irish Banks · CBRE €2bn loan portfolio managed — IBRC NAMA Unit €200m+ CRE assets acquired — NNK Real Estate Tifco Hotel Group · Staycity Dublin · The Marker · Conrad Dublin · Morrison · Great Southern Lisney · Cushman & Wakefield · HWBC · CBRE Hotels €55m+ acquisitions completed alongside investors in year one €40m+ assets under management €26bn valuation & transfer programme — Allied Irish Banks · CBRE €2bn loan portfolio managed — IBRC NAMA Unit €200m+ CRE assets acquired — NNK Real Estate Tifco Hotel Group · Staycity Dublin · The Marker · Conrad Dublin · Morrison · Great Southern Lisney · Cushman & Wakefield · HWBC · CBRE Hotels €55m+ acquisitions completed alongside investors in year one €40m+ assets under management

Founded on relationships. Measured in outcomes.

05 · Live mandates
01 / 04 — Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Pavilions

Retail · 1,765 sq.m (19,000 sq.ft) · 11 units · Appointed Q3 2025 Two prime retail blocks in an affluent South Dublin commercial and tourist hub, comprising 11 units let to retailers including Eason, O'Briens Wines and Casper & Giumbinis.
02 / 04 — IFSC, Dublin 1

One Custom House Plaza

Office · 3,864 sq.m (41,589 sq.ft) · 81.3% occupancy · Appointed Q3 2024 Modern office building over five storeys with 48 secure basement car parking spaces. Occupancy increased to 81.3% following completion of a new 5-year lease with Kaseya Limited for almost 9,000 sq.ft.
03 / 04 — Clonshaugh, Dublin 17

Grattan Business Park

Business park · 6,131 sq.m (66,000 sq.ft) · 34 units · Appointed Q2 2025 Modern business park comprising 34 units across 3 distinct industrial and office blocks — growing income through targeted lettings, proactive regears and improved ESG credentials.
04 / 04 — Cabra, Dublin 7

Maple Centre

Retail · 2,577 sq.m (27,500 sq.ft) · 7 units · Appointed Q2 2026 Established retail centre in the heart of a popular North Dublin suburb, comprising 7 separate units leased to occupiers such as McDonalds, O'Briens and Maple Pharmacy.
06 · The partners
Christopher Belton
Co-Founding Partner

Christopher Belton

A seasoned real estate professional with over 17 years in the commercial property sector, Christopher spent nearly 12 years as a Director at Lisney, where he advised on more than €1 billion in transactions and over €10 billion in valuations. He co-founded Grand Canal Capital Partners in June 2024. He holds an MSc in Real Estate Finance from the University of Aberdeen and a BSc in Real Estate Management from Oxford Brookes University, and is a member of the RICS, SCSI and IPF.
Jonathan Hillyer
Co-Founding Partner

Jonathan Hillyer

With over 30 years in real estate across property, asset and fund management, Jonathan has advised Irish investors across the UK, EMEA and Eastern European markets since moving to Ireland in 2001. His previous roles include Investment Consultant at QRE and Director and Managing Director positions at Cushman & Wakefield and HWBC. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Estate Management from South Bank University, London, and is a member of the SCSI and RICS.
Aaron Sherlock
Co-Founding Partner

Aaron Sherlock

With over 23 years in real estate investment, Aaron co-founded NNK Real Estate Investment Management in 2013, where he was instrumental in acquiring over €200 million in commercial real estate assets. He previously managed a €2 billion loan portfolio in the IBRC NAMA Unit and led the €26 billion property valuation and transfer programme for Allied Irish Banks at CBRE. He holds an MSc in Property Investment from the University of Reading and is a member of the IPF and the Institute of Bankers.
Dave Murray
Partner

Dave Murray

Dave joined the partnership in 2026, bringing more than 20 years advising on hotel investment, most recently as Senior Director at CBRE Hotels Ireland. He has advised on hotel transactions with an aggregate value in excess of €3 billion, including the Tifco Hotel Group, Staycity Dublin, The Marker, Conrad Dublin, Morrison and Great Southern portfolios. He holds a BComm from UCD and an MSc in Real Estate from DIT, and is a member of the RICS and SCSI.
07 · In brief
N—01

Dave Murray joins as Partner, bringing 20+ years and €3bn+ of hotel transaction experience

Read N—02

Advising JCD Group on the off-market acquisition of Half Moon Street, Cork — 115,000 sq.ft

Read N—03

The Pavilion, Dún Laoghaire — advising Alderan on its €11.5m first Irish acquisition

Read N—04

Year one: €55m+ of acquisitions completed alongside investors, €40m+ assets under management

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Discretion. Rigour. Alignment.

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