Real estate in Argentina

Real estate specialist Zang, Bergel & Viñes Abogados maintains its pre-eminent position in the market by advising on a comprehensive range of matters, including commercial, mixed-use and residential developments, shopping centres, retail and shopping arcades, hotels and special housing developments. The team has strength and expertise in purchase, sale, lease and barter transactions, as well as in the areas of property development, brokerage, construction, recycling and project management. Another distinguishing factor of the practice is its agricultural-sector expertise, advising domestic and international agriculture and livestock companies on real estate issues. The eight-strong team is co-led by Fernando Aguinaga, whose practice encompasses corporate law and M&A, real estate, agribusiness and sports law; and Juan Manuel Quintana, whose strengths include real estate, agribusiness, competition law and insurance matters. Also notable in the field is Pablo Vergara del Carril, and M&A, corporate law and foreign investment expert with considerable experience regarding investments and transactions in the sector. Key associate support comes from experienced senior, Inés Poffo.

Representing real estate owners, project developers, property managers, lenders and investors, the six-strong practice at Beccar Varela provides broad ‘experience in the sector and a lot of knowledge of common problems’. The team's core strengths include acquisition and sales, property management and leasing, financings, restructuring and portfolio transactions in the real estate sector. Regulatory expertise is another key strength of group, which it combines with a specialisation in project finance. Highly-regarded practice head Pedro Nicholson is a well-known and highly respected figure in the market; he focuses on real estate, M&A and commercial law. Corporate, capital markets and project finance specialist Pedro Silvestri, who was raised to the partnership in April 2021, is also active in the sector, primarily on transactional matters; while dedicated senior associate Delfina Calabró is also noted.

Marval O’Farrell Mairal leverages its top-tier corporate practice to specialise in advising on transactional real estate matters, particularly sale and purchase transactions, investment deals, real estate finance and leasing. It also has robust development expertise and its close relationships with key clients Hilton Hotels and property tycoon Edmond Safra underpins a significant proportion of that work. Corporate-finance partner Hernán Slemenson co-heads the practice and spearheads much of the group’s activity in the hospitality sector. Department co-head Diego Chighizola is an impressive up-and-coming real estate specialist.

Nicholson y Cano Abogados’ six-strong team is well versed in all the key stages of real estate work, from investment and acquisitions, through financing, construction and development, through to commercial exploitation. The group’s longstanding relationship with Pegasus Group translates into a prominent development practice, which is particularly active in shopping centre and mixed-use developments. Other sweet spots include leasing and investment matters. Department head Agustín Pérez Cambiasso has a focus on real estate, construction and infrastructure law. Key associate support comes from Sofía Schiariti.

The leading practice in the power-generation-facilities construction segment in Argentina -and a strong player in gated-community developments- the team at Pérez Alati, Grondona, Benites & Arntsen also advises on a range of purchase, sale and lease matters across the sector. The nine-strong practice has a proven track record in construction and financing issues, as well as development projects related to housing, urbanization and industry. Development and real estate specialists Guillermo Quiñoa and Santiago Daireaux co-lead the team with Pedro Eugenio Aramburu, whose focus is more transactional. Key associate support is provided by Cristian Chang.

Bomchil specialises in negotiating contracts for a range of projects, in particular new models for large-scale real estate developments. The firm’s expertise covers project financing, trust formation, development, construction and zoning, as well as advising on tax and regulatory issues in relation to real estate. Key projects that the practice has worked on include the construction of diverse industrial facilities, the development of residential and resort complexes, and the acquisition of real estate for the hotel industry. Adrián Furman has a particular focus on M&A and real estate in the entertainment, retail, hospitality, tourism and food sectors. He co-leads the team with transactional specialist Javier Petrantonio. Senior associate Francisco Zappa is also primarily focused on transactional matters; he demonstrates 'great knowledge of all the peculiarities of the area, its structures, vehicles, risks and solutions.'

The five-strong practice group at Bruchou, Fernández Madero & Lombardi is ‘very good technically' and 'proactive in solving problems’ for foreign and domestic developers, lenders, investment banks, and real estate funds and investment trusts. The team advises across the spectrum of real estate related transactions, as well as on development projects throughout Argentina, including office buildings, residential homes, apartment buildings and luxury condominiums. Corporate and cross-border specialist Exequiel Buenaventura leads the team and is recommended as an ‘excellent partner' and 'technically very complete and capable’ in the real estate sector. Transactional senior associates Pilar Marcó ('very competent with pragmatic solutions') and Hernán Alal are also both noted.