Real Estate & Construction

Global Overview

Real estate transactions are increasingly cross border and highly structured which has led to the development of a global real estate industry. Our teams work across the globe providing solutions for a broad range of complex real estate matters and assisting clients navigate the complexities of the markets in which they operate. We advise on all aspects of real estate and construction including acquisition, leasing, joint ventures, financing and disputes.

The Multilaw Advantage

Multilaw is a global network of international law firms, with some 90 member firms operating across 100 countries.  It has been ranked in the ‘Elite’ band of global legal networks by the 2022 Chambers Global Guide (one of only 9 networks internationally to have achieved such recognition) – and this is the seventh year running that Multilaw has achieved this top tier ranking.

Chambers highlights the ‘hands-on support’ that Multilaw provides to its members as well as its established practice area groups.

What we do

Our real estate and construction lawyers cover the whole spectrum of issues, including contentious and non-contentious matters.

We offer expert advice on:

  • Corporate
  • Tax
  • Acquisition & Disposal
  • Restructuring
  • Leasing
  • Finance & Investment
  • Disputes
  • Construction contracts
  • Development
  • Planning

Our Client Work

Member firm in Mexico, Gonzalez Calvillo, advised Google Mexico on the leasing of its corporate headquarters in Mexico City.

UK member firm Penningtons Manches Cooper acted for Sellar Property Group - the developers of The Shard, (the tallest occupied building in Western Europe standing at 310 metres) in respect of a joint venture with a major Singaporean development company for the acquisition of a building next to Paddington Station, for major mixed use / residential development, referred to in the press as “Paddington Shard”.

US member firm Duane Morris represented the Royal Thai Government in an acquisition of a commercial building in Manhattan for use as Thailand’s permanent mission to the United Nations.

Romanian member firm Tuca Zbarcea advised Carrefour on the full range of specific real estate/M&A/corporate work: performance of an in-depth legal due diligence exercise on the target company and its supermarket network comprising 86 outlets in Romania and a logistics facility (focusing primarily on real estate issues such as freehold/leasehold titles over the stores and construction matters); amendment, drafting and negotiation of the transaction documents; assistance in connection with the merger clearance process, etc. The transaction was evaluated at EUR 90-100 million.

UK member firm Shakespeare Martineau acted for a UK Islamic Bank in connection with a residential development commodity murabaha facility for a £40M landmark central London location.

Syciplaw in the Philippines advised a major power company in determining and evaluating the status of ownership and titling of more than 350 parcels of land necessary for an estimated 30-kilometer transmission line system, and have actively assisted in the acquisition of right-of-way, ownership and other rights over these lands, through private contract or eminent domain.

US Member Firm Polsinelli represented a Fortune 100 corporation in approximately $3.0 billion sale to a REIT and lease back of approximately 250 large store retail properties across the United States and Puerto Rico. Work included all aspects of real estate including due diligence, conveyance, transfer tax and related requirements, REIT, assignment and lease, financial document analysis and local counsel opinion letters in numerous states.

Thailand member firm Tilleke & Gibbins represented one of the world’s most recognisable fashion and luxury goods retailers in several commercial real estate disputes in Thailand arising from the disputed termination of a 30-year franchisee relationship. This representation includes negotiation and settlement of lease hold and commercial franchisee contracts with both the outgoing franchisee and the incoming franchisee partner, one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most successful commercial retailers.

Practice Group Contacts

Jenny
Thame

Asia Pacific Vice Chair

Macpherson Kelley

Australia

Email

Markus
Aeschbacher

EMEA Vice Chair

Bratschi Ltd

Zurich, Switzerland

Email