UPDATE 1-CBRE named special servicer on White Tower deal

* Bondholders appoint new servicer to CMBS deal

* Servicer will lead restructuring of property portfolio

(Adds background, detail)

LONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Real estate broker CB Richard Ellis (CBG.N) has taken over as special servicer to the 1.15 billion pound ($1.9 billion) White Tower 2006-3 securitisation, the company said on Monday.

Bondholders to White Tower voted to replace the previous special servicer, Hatfield Philips, as they seek to maximise recovery from the White Tower pool of assets, which include nine London office properties.

White Tower is a commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) bond issue sold by property entrepreneur Simon Halabi in 2006. Last month White Tower bondholders sought immediate repayment after the value of underlying assets collapsed [ID:nLG243850].

A special servicer leads the restructuring of a struggling CMBS transaction, collecting fees as bondholders recover funds.

CB Richard Ellis has recently boosted its London servicer team seeking to take more business from established players such as privately owned Hatfield Philips and the servicing arm of banks such as Barclays (BARC.L). (Reporting by Tom Freke; Editing by Dan Lalor) ($1 = 0.6000 pound)