Real Estate

About

The global real estate industry is evolving in response to the changing needs of property investors and users. New investors are moving into real estate from other investment areas, bringing with them fresh ideas and diverse requirements. Property development in all sectors and asset classes are transforming skylines and landscapes in both mature and developing economies.

 

In-depth knowledge of the asset class as well as the real estate markets and deal structures

We offer market-leading advice across a range of practice areas where real estate is at the center of the transaction. Relied on by developers, owners, private and institutional investors, corporates, lenders and underwriters around the world to understand industry trends and their impact on business, we assist them to navigate the complexities of the markets in which they currently or plan to operate. Clients trust us to manage the intricacies of their transactions and disputes, synthesizing legal and commercial knowledge to provide them with counsel that translates into successful outcomes.

 

Specialized real estate industry knowledge

Clients also utilize our global team’s sector knowledge in hospitality and leisure, data centers, retail, private equity and commercial investment across all types of domestic and cross-border transactions, financings, operations and disputes.  Whether it is a corporate acquisition of a property holding company, real estate financing or indirect real estate investments through minority shareholdings or joint ventures, our global real estate team can support them. We have a thorough understanding of the issues faced in the hotel business and offer experienced-based guidance in virtually every aspect of hotel management, hotel acquisitions development and disposals, regardless of which party in the matter is being represented. Clients with objectives requiring the use of data centers can trust our dedicated data center team to understand the legal issues unique to this rapidly growing asset class, including those related to their construction, financing, operation, leasing and use.

 

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AWARDS & RECOGNITION

European Data Deal of the Year: Data4
PFI Deal of the Year, 2021

Every partner in Chicago Real Estate practice group is ranked as a Leading Lawyer
Euromoney 2019

#1 Real Estate Law National, #1 Real Estate Law Chicago, #1 Real Estate Law Miami
Best Lawyers 2021

Law Firm of the Year
Europe at the Real Estate Capital Awards 2020

Real Estate Deal of the Year: US$1 billion fund-raise for ESR Perpetual Core Fund
The Asian Legal Business Japan Law Awards 2019

Best Law Firm
CIJ Awards Czech Republic 2020

"Clients hail the firm's international capacity as 'very strong, with a presence across jurisdictions and seamless cooperation across offices'."
Chambers Europe Real Estate 2020

Top ranked law firm
The Lawyer Global Real Estate 50 2019

Experience

Oaktree Capital Management on Sale of SACO Property Portfolio, 2018
Representation of Oaktree Capital Management, a leading global alternative investment management firm, on its sale of the SACO property portfolio, one of the UK's leading providers of serviced apartments with an extensive network of properties around the world, to Brookfield Asset Management.

Codina Partners, LLC on US$1 Billion, 120-acre Mixed-use Development Project called Downtown Doral, 2017
Representation of Codina Partners, LLC, a prominent real estate investor and developer, in a US$1 billion, 120-acre mixed-use development project called Downtown Doral.  Aspects of the representation included the acquisition of land, multiple construction loan financings and the preparation and negotiation of reciprocal easements, in addition to a refinancing with an insurance company in excess of US$100M.  The project includes residential, retail/office and multi-family components.

Blackstone on US$4 Billion Nordic Real Estate Acquisition, 2017
Representation of The Blackstone Group L.P. in its recommended public tender offer for all shares in Sponda Plc, a Finland-based property investment company specializing in commercial properties in the largest cities in Finland, with shares listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. With assumed debt, the total value of the transaction was €3.8 billion.

Amundi Immobilier on Acquisition of 'Coeur Défense', 2017
Representation of a consortium of investors led by Amundi Immobilier in connection with the acquisition of the largest European office complex (named Coeur Défense) in La Defense, owned by Lone Star. We also advised Amundi Immobilier on the banking aspects of this acquisition.

Technopolis on €730 Million Public Cash Tender Offer for All of Its Shares by Kildare Partners, 2018
Representation of Technopolis plc, a shared workspace business providing efficient and flexible offices and co-working spaces on the €730 million voluntary recommended public cash tender offer for all of its shares by Kildare Partners, a real estate investment firm.

RELP Beacon Logistics, LLC on a Joint Venture with Codina Partners, LLC, 2017
Representation of RELP Beacon Logistics, LLC, a joint venture between Florida developer Codina Partners, LLC and an institutional partner, in its acquisition of a 17-acre parcel located in Miami-Dade County, Florida.  This transaction also included development and construction financing for the site as well as an adjacent 55 acres acquired by the partnership in December of 2016.  The property will be developed as a planned industrial park referred to as Beacon Logistics Park.

Westmont Hospitality on Acquisition of a Portfolio of Hotels, 2018
Representation of Westmont Hospitality Group, one of the largest privately held hospitality organisations in the world, on the acquisition of a portfolio of 11 hotels in the Netherlands under the brands of Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Hampton by Hilton and related financing provided by Och Ziff and Deutsche Bank.

Cerberus on Acquisition of Performing and Non-Performing Loan Portfolio, 2017
Representation of an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. (Cerberus), a global leader in alternative investing, on the acquisition of a portfolio of performing and non-performing real estate-backed loans, with borrowers in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Denmark and Finland, from a major German bank.

ECE Real Estate Partners on €374 million sale of Olympia shopping center, 2017
Representation of a leading real estate fund managers, ECE Real Estate Partners and Rockspring Property Investment Managers, on their sale of Olympia shopping center, in the Czech city of Brno, to Deutsche EuroShop for €374 million.

Digital Realty on US$874 Million Acquisition of Eight Premium European Data Centers, 2016
Representation of Digital Realty on the US$874 million acquisition from Equinix of a portfolio of 8 data centres located in London, Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt. It was a competitive auction process with numerous bidders and was triggered as a condition of the European Commission's approval of the acquisition of Telecity by Equinix.

Hong Kong based Private Equity firm on major New York Property Joint Ventures, 2017
Representation of a Hong Kong–based private equity firm and its affiliates in connection with the formation of joint ventures with, and making loans to, affiliates of one of the most active New York City real property developers, to develop multiple luxury condominium and office projects in Manhattan, New York City, including:

  • properties between West 47th and West 48th Streets for the construction of an office tower
  • a luxury residential condominium development on West 66th Street