Shoosmiths supports Oasthouse Ventures in investment raise for America's largest greenhouse

Law firm Shoosmiths has assisted Oasthouse Ventures on its recent investment raise, which it will use as part of its $104.8 million first phase investment into a 65-acre greenhouse in Virginia, US – the largest greenhouse in America.

The technologically advanced greenhouse will cultivate the highest quality produce, all year round, close to the end consumer. Phase 1 of the new industrial scale growing cluster will create 118 jobs and bring an estimated $1.1bn economic contribution to the region. The 65 acres of Phase 1 is set to start growing in 2026.

Oasthouse Ventures is a pioneering UK company known for delivering innovative low-carbon greenhouse projects, including the largest UK initiative in a decade. Shoosmiths’ energy and infrastructure team has extensive experience of supporting pioneering developments in the sustainable food industry, this investment building on the firm’s expertise in vertical farming and greenhouse deals.

Lord Mandelson, British Ambassador to the United States has been vocal in his support of the plans, commenting to media that “this investment is a perfect illustration of all that the US and the UK can do together to prioritise growth for rural communities.”

Shoosmiths’ corporate partner Helen Burnell led on the deal, supported by principal associate Lisa Faragher and associate Alice Richmond.

Andy Allen, co-founder of Oasthouse Ventures, commented: “We are excited to get building Phase 1 of our greenhouse cluster, which we believe will in time grow to be of strategic national importance to the U.S. This first 65 acres will be world-beating in the quality and quantity of fresh produce it will grow, all close to the end consumer.

“We extend our gratitude to the UK Embassy for their support and to the Virginia and U.S. administrations for their progressive trade and financing policies that facilitate large agricultural projects like ours.

“We are looking forward to the first produce coming out of the greenhouse in early 2026 and playing our part in reversing the decline of U.S. food production, and are incredibly grateful for Shoosmiths’ invaluable expertise in helping to make this vision a reality.”

Helen Burnell, corporate partner at Shoosmiths, commented: “We are delighted to have supported Oasthouse Ventures on such a pivotal investment, the US and UK coming together to prioritise sustainable food sourcing for the future. Our corporate team had an incredibly successful 2024, and this project exemplifies our strength in energy and infrastructure from a corporate perspective.”

Shoosmiths’ head of energy and infrastructure James Wood-Robertson added: “We wish Oasthouse Ventures every success in this exciting new chapter for the development of sustainably grown, high quality produce. Our energy and infrastructure experts are at the forefront of supporting the delivery of major low carbon projects – as our integrated team continues to help international infrastructure investors.”