Real estate in Canada

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP continues to be a dominant player in the practice area, utilizing the bench strength of national offices in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa and abroad in London and New York, to advise a broad client base (which includes Royal Bank of Canada and Sycamore Partners Management) of domestic and international institutional and private entities, developers, banks, pension funds, fund managers, insurance companies, REITs, retail and commercial property owners and occupiers, hotel owners and government agencies, on diverse spectrum of real estate matters. The practice, which is particularly dynamic in the retail and financial services spaces, is led in Toronto by Thomas Von Hahn, who brings expertise to the acquisition and disposition of real property and mortgage portfolios, and John Hutmacher, who draws on extensive experience advising clients on acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, sales and leaseback transactions. Other key figures include Silvana D’Alimonte, who specializes in complex financings involving investors, fund managers and asset managers; Daniel Kofman, who acts as real estate lead on multi-billion-dollar acquisitions in the financial services sector; and Garth Anderson in Calgary, who draws on over 25 years in the real estate arena to counsel life insurance companies, REITs and utility companies. Unless noted, all lawyers mentioned work in the Toronto office.

Practice head(s):

Thomas von Hahn; John Hutmacher


Other key lawyers:

Silvana D’Alimonte; Daniel Kofman; Garth Anderson; Daniel Ferreira; Joseph Grignano; Neil Katz; Greg Umbach; Jay Geers; Patrick Gordon; Rachel Lehman; Jean-Simon Lamarre


Key clients

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)


Pembina Pipeline Corporation


Slate Asset Management L.P.


Sycamore Partners Management, L.P.


Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust


Granite REIT


Work highlights


  • Advised Royal Bank of Canada on its C$13.5bn acquisition of HSBC Bank Canada.
  • Advised Sycamore Partners in its $400m acquisition of Lowes Companies’ Canadian retail business including Lowes’ Canada and Rona stores.
  • Advised global investment and asset manager Slate and its subsidiaries on the acquisition of the Stelco steel mill and redevelopment site in Hamilton, Ontario.

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

The real estate team at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP remains a force in the marketplace, leveraging the bench strength of offices in Toronto, Montreal and New York, to advise institutional investors, managers, pension funds, developers and REITs (including Ivanhoé Cambridge and The Blackstone Group), on a wide range of matters, ranging from acquisitions, dispositions and long-term ground leasing to financing, construction and development. The team is led by Gregory Southam, a specialist in private-public partnership (PPP) and infrastructure projects; Steven Martin, an expert in the sale and purchase, leasing and development of major commercial and residential projects; Gabriella Lombardi, who brings extensive experience acting for pension funds and public companies; and Anthony Arquin, who utilizes expertise in mixed-use complexes and commercial co-ownerships in Montreal. Other key figures include David Reiner, who handles complex joint ventures and acquisitions and dispositions involving stabilized properties and development projects; Robert Bauer, who manages matters involving projects across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia; Gregory Howard, who brings over 35 years to the practice space; and Sylvie Samson in Montreal, who excels in negotiations and the drafting of commercial agreements. Stefanie Milner was promoted to partner in January 2023. Unless noted, all lawyers mentioned work in the Toronto office.

Practice head(s):

Gregory Southam; Steven Martin; Gabriella Lombardi; Anthony Arquin


Other key lawyers:

David Reiner; Gregory Howard; Robert Bauer; Elias Benhamou; Pawel Mielcarek; Sylvie Samson; Florence Simard; Joseph Jarjour; Katrina Brazzell


Testimonials

‘Real estate team with great knowledge of the real estate market and practices. Many very knowledgeable partners who can concurrently work on many files.’

‘Joseph Jarjour: his knowledge of the real estate market is greatly appreciated.’

‘Davies’ real estate team is best in class. The efficiency and responsiveness that Davies shows when delivering their services is outstanding. The diversity is also quite impressive for a firm of this size and caliber. The majority of partners I have worked with at Davies are women, which is rare for law firms.’

Key clients

Cadillac Fairview


Ivanhoé Cambridge


SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)


The Blackstone Group


Habitations Trigone


Spear Street Capital, LLC


The Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments)


Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments)


Hydro-Québec Pension Fund


Graywood Developments Group


Woodbourne


Work highlights


  • Acted for Cominar REIT, a diversified real estate investment trust and commercial property owner in Québec, in its C$5.7bn sale to Iris Acquisition II LP, an entity created by a consortium led by Canderel Real Estate Property Inc.
  • Acted for Ivanhoé Cambridge in its sale of an undivided 50% interest in the Place Laurier Québec in Québec City to Douville, Moffet & Associés and the creation of a strategic partnership with them in the redevelopment and the densification of the site, estimated to be valued at C$1bn over the next 10 years.
  • Acted for Cadillac Fairview in a joint venture with Hopewell Development to purchase and redevelop the 146-acre Rosemont Business Park in Balzac, Alberta.

McCarthy Tétrault

The powerhouse practice at McCarthy Tétrault remains a market leader, pairing a nationwide presence and offices abroad in London and New York with the experience of its team to advise private and publicly-traded investors, major lenders, pension funds, REITs, developers and governmental bodies, on a comprehensive array of real estate matters. With a client base that features such key market players as the National Bank of Canada and the Bank of Nova Scotia, the group’s full service covers development, acquisitions and dispositions, access agreements, project financing and leasing, in addition to securitization, property management and public-private joint ventures. The practice is led by industry authority John Currie in Toronto, who brings expertise to such transactions as large and mid-scale secured financings, construction contracts and asset management and development agreements. Counsel Abraham Costin specializes in acquisitions, insolvency and realization work related to real property. Other key figures include Jamie Orzech, who employs experience in acting for clients in ground lease and sale leaseback transactions, and Keith Burrell KC in Vancouver, who assists developers of large residential and mixed-use projects engaged in presale activity. Sarit Pandya, who advises clients on syndicated bank facilities, construction financings and mortgage lending, was promoted to partner in January 2023. All lawyers, unless noted, work in the Toronto office.

Practice head(s):

John Currie


Other key lawyers:

Abraham Costin; Jamie Orzech; Keith Burrell KC; Danny Grandilli; Olivia Colic; Tzen-Yi Goh; Annie Gagnon-Larocque; Madeleine Hawkins; Sarit Pandya; Craig Shirreff


Key clients

QuadReal and bcIMC Realty


Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg


Investment Management Corporation of Ontario


Otéra Capital Inc.


Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce


Infrastructure Ontario


PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.


Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada


University of Windsor


Slate Asset Management


Quartier RoyalMount Limited Partnership /Carbonleo


Kingsett


Great West Life


Fiera Properties


Carttera


HOOPP


Canderel


Broccolini


Industrial Alliance


Groupe Maurice


Desjardins


Manulife


CMLS


Groupe MACH /Groupe Petra


National Bank of Canada


The Toronto-Dominion Bank


Lithia Motors, Inc.


Simon Fraser University


United Overseas Bank Limited


Bank of Nova Scotia


Wells Fargo Bank


Seasons Retirement Communities


Bank of Montreal


Regency Retirement Resorts


Stikeman Elliott LLP

Stikeman Elliott LLP continues be a leader in the practice space, drawing on the bench strength of offices in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver, as well as in New York, London and Sydney, to assist major pension funds, REITs, institutional real estate clients, developers, asset managers, property managers and lenders, on a diverse spectrum of real estate matters. They range from financing and regulatory compliance, construction and procurement, land use planning and development approvals to tax restructuring and environment issues. The firm’s client roster spans such sectors as renewables, infrastructure and retail. The practice is led by Mario Paura in Toronto, who brings over 25 years of experience to the purchase, sale, financing and development of retail, industrial and office properties; Greg Plater in Vancouver, who brings expertise to acquisitions, financings dispositions, pre-purchase transactions and various development projects; and Michael Dyck in Calgary, who specializes in advising landlords and tenants on office, industrial and retail leases. Other key figures include banking and renewables sector specialist Melissa Schyven and Eric Carmona, who handles joint venture structuring and portfolio acquisitions in Toronto; and senior counsel Neil Bindman in Montreal. Former co-practice head Stefan Fews departed in August 2023.

Practice head(s):

Mario Paura; Greg Plater; Michael Dyck


Other key lawyers:

Melissa Schyven; Eric Carmona; Neil Bindman; Richard Jackson; Ross MacDonald KC; Rachel Hutton; Stephen Holinski; Wesley Ng; Catherine Grygar


Key clients

QuadReal Property Group Limited


Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo)


Concord Pacific Group


Brookfield Properties


Aquilini Investment Group


Elad Group/Elad Canada Inc.


Ivanhoe Cambridge


Hines Canada


Hudson’s Bay Company


GWL Realty Advisors Inc. for and on behalf of The Canada Life Assurance Company


Bennett Jones LLP

Bennett Jones LLP combines the deep bench strength of offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and New York to advise a broad client roster of developers, investors, portfolio managers, landlords, tenants, retailers, financial institutions and municipal districts, on a comprehensive range of matters across the practice space. They range from joint venture development and purchases, financings and leasings to asset transactions and M&A. In addition, the team assists with the real estate and construction aspects of energy and infrastructure projects. The practice is led by Jane Helmstadter in Toronto, who brings expertise to transactions involving office, retail and industrial property, multi-family residential developments and renewable energy projects; Alixe Cameron in Calgary, who assists clients with the development of bareland and conventional condominium projects; and Mark Lewis in Vancouver, who specializes in senior housing transactions, rail and aviation transportation-related transactions, as well as work in the forestry, pulp, energy and mining sectors. In Toronto, Simon Crawford draws on extensive experience to advise on private equity matters, fund formation, joint ventures, income trusts and the purchase and sale of real estate assets and real estate companies; and John van Gent acts for both landlords and tenants on commercial leasing, sub-leasing and land leasing arrangements. Other key figures include Paul Mantini (also in Toronto) who displays excellence in lending and project finance matters, and Larry Sandrin in Vancouver, who brings over 40 years in the practice area to manage complex, government-funded infrastructure projects.

Practice head(s):

Jane Helmstadter; Alixe Cameron; Mark Lewis


Other key lawyers:

Simon Crawford; John van Gent; Paul Mantini; Larry Sandrin; Riley Whitlock; Sergio Custodio


Key clients

Skyline Industrial REIT


H&R REIT


CMLC and Calgary Stampede


ATCO Power LTD.


RBC Capital Markets Inc.


Toronto-Dominion Bank


Minto Communities Inc.


Work highlights


  • Acted for Skyline in a transaction which enabled it to enter the city of Edmonton and expand its holdings in Calgary.
  • Acted for H&R REIT on the sale of four properties for combined gross proceeds of $167.8m.
  • Acted for both CMLC and Calgary Stampede in a joint partnership for the development of a new convention centre hotel that will complement the expansion of Calgary’s BMO Centre.

Goodmans LLP

Based in Toronto, Goodmans LLP utilizes combined expertise in real estate, capital markets, REITs, municipal and tax law to advise developers, owners, managers, financial institutions, pension funds and governments, on diverse spectrum of matters across the practice area, ranging from acquisitions and sales to joint ventures and the financing of properties at the domestic and international levels. The team is jointly headed by Ira Barkin, who brings experience to financing, development, restructuring and securitization transactions, with a particular focus on the energy sector; and Tyler D’Angelo, who assists buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, lenders and borrowers across the nation. Other key figures include counsel and industry expert Juli Morrow, who specializes in credit lease transactions in connection with commercial mortgage-backed securities; Fred Rubinoff, who handles complex matters involving financial institutions and institutional and private investors; Andrew Wiseman, who manages construction contracts financings, student housing, senior housing and sale leaseback transactions; and Bram Green, who brings experience to public-private infrastructure projects.

Practice head(s):

Ira Barkin; Tyler D’Angelo


Other key lawyers:

Juli Morrow; Fred Rubinoff; Andrew Wiseman; Bram Green; Jeffrey Shore; Ira Berg


Testimonials

‘Goodmans is a law firm with lawyers that solve legal problems in a reasonable and practical, business-minded manner. They are efficient and have a deep substantive knowledge of both the legal and business of corporate real estate.’

‘Bram Green is a go-to lawyer for responsive, efficient and top-notch legal counsel. The entire legal team at Goodmans is strong and practical – they know when to advocate for their client and how to help get a deal done.’

‘Ira Barkin is highly knowledgeable and practical.’

Key clients

H&R REIT


Canadian Tire Real Estate Limited/CT Real Estate Investment Trust


Oxford Properties Group


Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation


Menkes Developments


Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments)


Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation


Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation


Harrison Street


Forum Subterra Limited Partnership


Knightstone Group of Companies


Context Developments


Invesque Inc.


Dream Unlimited and Great Gulf


Fengate Asset Management


Royal Bank of Canada, Citibank, Deutsche Bank Canada and Deutsche Bank New York


Work highlights


  • Represented Harrison Street, an investment management firm headquartered in Chicago and exclusively focused on alternative real assets, on various real estate acquisitions in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia.
  • Advised Quayside Impact Limited Partnership, a partnership between Dream Unlimited and Great Gulf, in connection with Waterfront Toronto’s international search for a development partner for the Quayside lands on the Toronto waterfront.
  • Represented Fengate Asset Management in the formation of two new private equity funds, focused on two real estate asset classes: multifamily and seniors’ housing development, and the subsequent transfer of seed properties into such funds.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

With locations in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa, Vancouver and New York, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP employs deep bench strength to advise a robust client roster (which includes Starbucks and Google) of real estate investment and asset management companies, REITs, pension funds and private equity investors, retailers, manufacturers and health care providers, on a wide range of high-value commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions, developments, investments, syndications and financings. Paul Morassutti leads the team, bringing expertise to acquisitions and divestitures, commercial leasing, mortgage financings and environmental matters. Savvas Kotsopoulos provides extensive experience assisting institutional owners, developers, domestic and international private investment groups and property and asset managers with industrial, retail and mixed-use developments. Stella Di Cresce specializes in portfolio acquisitions for real estate investment trusts (REITs). Other key figures include Ryan Nielsen, who handles complex matters involving leasing and development financing by private placement, syndicated facility and securitization; and Bryce Kustra, who operates in Calgary and Vancouver and who brings strength to the energy and infrastructure spaces. Former Stikeman Elliot co-practice head Stefan Fews joined the Montreal office in August 2023.  Unless noted, all lawyers mentioned work in the Toronto office.

Practice head(s):

Paul Morassutti


Other key lawyers:

Stella Di Cresce; Rod Davidge; Ryan Nielsen; Yan Besner; Bavia Bisetty; Savvas Kotsopoulos; Bryce Kustra; Stefan Fews


Key clients

Oak Street Real Estate Capital


OP Trust/OP Trust Realty Inc.


DREAM group of companies


Google Canada


Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada


BentallGreenOak


Choice Properties Real Estate Income Trust


Chartwell Retirement Residences


CIBC, Desjardins


RBC Global Asset Management


Starbucks Coffee Canada Inc.


PRO REIT


Trans Mountain Pipeline L.P.


Quebecor Inc


Le Groupe Petra Ltee


CIBC – Starlight Residential Growth Fund


Torys

The real estate group at Torys draws on the combined experience of teams in Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Calgary and New York, to advise owners, investors, developers, government bodies and lenders (including Metrolinx, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, TD Securities) on projects involving joint venture ownership, large-scale multi-use developments, energy and infrastructure projects and phased development arrangements, from initial inquisition through development, management and disposition. The practice is led by Sabrina Gherbaz and Graham Rawlinson, who both bring experts to acquisitions, joint ventures and project finance. Other key figures include Andy Gibbons, who brings strength to matters involving energy projects and public-private partnerships; Simon Knowling, who heads real estate investment trust (REIT) group; and Rose Bailey, who provides extensive experience in commercial real estate, renewable energy assets and securitizations. Senior partner David Dell retired in December 2022. All lawyers mentioned work in the Toronto office.

Other key lawyers:

Andy Gibbons; Simon Knowling; Rose Bailey; Nooreen Bhanji; Scarlett O’Shea


Testimonials

‘Torys is a law firm that values client relationships and top-of-the-line service and responsiveness. Their advice is typically reasonable and practical and is thoughtful to the business and risk appetite of their client. They are efficient and have a deep substantive knowledge of both the legal and business of corporate real estate.’

Simon Knowling: the best at strategy, structuring and negotiations. Graham Rawlinson focuses on the details of a transaction and highlights and quantifies all risks for the business deal to be altered. Noreen Bhanji is a very strong document drafter, negotiator and closer of deals.’

Key clients

McMaster Innovation Park


Metrolinx


Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust


Hawthorne Canada


123Dentist Inc.


Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group


The Toronto-Dominion Bank


TD Securities Inc. and the syndicate of underwriters


Ontario Power Generation Inc.


The City of Pickering, Ontario


Work highlights


  • Acted for McMaster Innovation Park, a wholly-owned subsidiary of McMaster University, in its proposed C$2bn development of the McMaster Innovation Park (MIP).
  • Advised Metrolinx on multiple high-profile matters across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, including its proposed sale of 433 Front Street West, the proposed acquisition of a portion of 1319 Bloor Street West from KingSett and the development of a new SmartTrack GO station.
  • Advised Ontario Power Generation in the C$200m sale of its 76 acre property located at 800 Kipling Avenue in Toronto and in the negotiation of its related leaseback of a portion of the property.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP employs the full bench strength of over 800 lawyers in 5 national locations in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, to advise a diverse client base of pension funds, life insurance companies, utility companies, institutional investors, family offices, public sector clients, developers, commercial landlords, tenants and REITs, on wide range of real estate matters. The team is led by Aaron Bowler in Calgary, who brings experience to high-value acquisitions and dispositions, financings, developments and restructurings, across such asset classes as office towers, hotels, shopping centres, railways and resorts. Key figures include senior partner Sylvie Bouvette in Montreal, who represents sellers and purchasers in joint ventures; Frank Arnone in Toronto, who assists clients with complex investment structures; Line Abecassis in Montreal, an expert in acquisitions, divestitures and the leasing of industrial, office, and retail and mixed-use buildings; and David Longcroft, an experienced specialist in mixed-use projects and associated air space parcel subdivisions.

Practice head(s):

Aaron Bowler


Other key lawyers:

Sylvie Bouvette; David Longcroft; Frank Arnone; Brennan Carroll; Catherine Guertin; Line Abecassis; Xue Yan


Key clients

Aéroports de Montréal


Bell Canada


Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation


City of Ottawa


HSBC Bank Canada


Ivanhoé Cambridge


K+S Aktiengesellschaft


Morguard Corporation/Morguard REIT/Temple Hotels


Oxford Properties


Parkland Corporation


QuadReal Property Group and Insurance Corp of BC (ICBC)


VIA Rail Canada


Dentons

Dentons leverages the bench strength of its global network to provide a comprehensive service to real estate companies and developers, entrepreneurs, owners and tenants of commercial retail, office and industrial buildings, shopping centres and hotels, in addition to purchasers, sellers and investors (financial institutions, pension funds, REITs), on a diverse spectrum of real estate matters. The practice is led by Clark Kassian in Calgary, who brings expertise to acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, land development and commercial leasing; Katarzyna Sliwa in Toronto, who manages complex negotiations related to approval processes for development and redevelopment projects; rail, hotel and leisure specialist Lyle Zulak in Calgary; Robert Bothwell in Edmonton, who joined from Bennett Jones LLP in February 2023; Sheldon Disenhouse in Toronto, who focuses on commercial leasing; Philip Rimer in Ottawa, who specializes in real estate and infrastructure transactions with Indigenous stakeholders; Scott Wilson in Vancouver, who brings experience to acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations, and energy and infrastructure projects; and Marie-Andrée Thibault, who arrived at the Montreal office from Fasken in May 2023. Other key figures include Jillian Shortt, who operates out of the Toronto and Calgary offices and who assists with the creation of single and two-tier joint venture structures and limited partnerships. Isaiah Banach joined as counsel in May 2023.

Practice head(s):

Clark Kassian; Katarzyna Sliwa; Lyle Zulak; Robert Bothwell; Sheldon Disenhouse; Philip Rimer; Scott Wilson; Marie-Andrée Thibault


Other key lawyers:

Jillian Shortt; Sonja Homenuck; Jules Mikelberg; Jeff Coape-Arnold; Wilfred Chan


Key clients

Parkland Corporation


Canadian National Railway


EPR Properties


Avenue 31 Capital Inc.


Mizrahi Development Inc.


Regional Municipality of Niagara


Flato Development Inc.


CanFirst Capital Management


Vopak Development Canada Inc.


Nature Conservancy Canada


North Central Co-operative Association Ltd.


Work highlights


  • Acted for the Mizrahi One Bloor Project Limited Partnership regarding the development, and other matters associated with the 1 Bloor Street West Project, an 85-story building with a current project budget of C$1.6bn.
  • Advised CanFirst in multiple real estate transactions including a C$222.6m acquisition of a 13-property portfolio in Ontario from IG Investment Management Ltd.
  • Represented EPR Properties in its acquisition of the Village Valcartier hotel and water park complex north of Québec City, together with the Calypso Park waterpark complex in Limoges, Ontario.

Fasken

The real estate group at Fasken leverages the bench strength of 7 national offices and the experience of its team to advise pension funds, REITs, financial institutions, public organizations, public hospitals and developers involved in a wide range of matters across the practice space. The team is jointly headed by Andrea Centa in Toronto, an expert in acquisitions, dispositions and real estate finance and the development of large-scale projects through joint ventures and co-ownerships; Carmine Boskovich in Vancouver, who assists with major infrastructure projects and specializes in matters in the energy, mining and transport industries; Mariella Lo Papa in Montreal, who brings extensive experience assisting property managers, brokers, landlords and tenants with commercial leasing; Paul Logan in Calgary, who assists clients with mortgage financings and purchase and sale transactions of office, industrial and retail properties. Other key figures include real estate authority Richard Clare and project development specialist Nicolas Leblanc in Montreal, Sarah Batut in Vancouver, who handles major master-planned communities, and Allyson Roy, who brings expertise to complex transactions and the management of real estate portfolios in Toronto. Marie-Andrée Thibault departed in May 2023.

Practice head(s):

Andrea Centa; Carmine Boskovich; Mariella Lo Papa; Paul Logan


Other key lawyers:

Sarah Batut; Richard Clare; Maria Holder; Nicolas Leblanc; Elias Retsinas; Allyson Roy


Testimonials

‘Fasken’s real estate team combines a unique combination of expertise, bench strength, solution-oriented members and out-of-the-box approaches to problem solving. The team is diverse in its makeup.’

‘Elias Retsinas is business-oriented, quick to understand the nature of any situation. Nicolas Leblanc is the person to seek when an out-of-the-box solution to a problem is required. Simply brilliant. Mariella Lo Papa – very thorough.’

‘Andrea Centa is incredibly responsive and helpful. She is always looking for ways to make our lives easier and to ensure that our company is protected. She understands our business and provides advice that is tailored to our needs. She has also built a very strong team in the Toronto office.’

‘Excellent people providing excellent work in a timely manner on a full range of real estate work, including land and building acquisitions, dispositions, leases, tenant defaults, land title matters and co-ventures.’

‘The Fasken team is professional and knowledgeable in the area. They are responsive and produce quick turnarounds in tight timeline scenarios.’

Key clients

TD Asset Management Inc.


Broccolini Construction Inc. and Affiliates


LaSalle Investment Management (Canada)


Morguard Corporation


Fengate Asset Management


The Bank of Nova Scotia


BMG Projects Inc.


Wesgroup Properties LP


bcIMC Realty Corporation


Quadreal Property Group


Work highlights


  • Represented Fengate in multiple acquisitions and financings, and providing ongoing advice with respect to joint venture projects.
  • Acted on the assembly of 59 single family lots in Port Moody, BC, which will form a master-planned community upon redevelopment and the over $105.5m acquisition financing by The Bank of Nova Scotia.
  • Acted for Lafarge on acquisition of Westridge Quarries.

Gowling WLG

Global firm Gowling WLG channels the bench strength of its 7 national locations to advise multinational development companies, financial institutions, national retailers, Canadian and international pension funds, First Nations, Crown corporations, REITs, private utilities and health care institutions, on a diverse span of matters across the practice area. They range from real estate acquisitions and dispositions, master planned community developments (an area in which the firm shows particular expertise), joint ventures and the leasing of commercial, retail, industrial and hotel properties to construction, land-use planning and large-scale industrial, airport, and shopping centre redevelopments. The practice is led by Joel Camley, who brings extensive experience in multi-unit mixed use, office tower, hotel and airport projects. Murray Braaten provides expertise to developers and lending institutions in major commercial, real estate and resort investment and development matters, along with Paulina Kam, who, additionally, handles site acquisition, land assemblies rezoning and subdivision and servicing requirements. Pamela Green departed in May 2023. All lawyers mentioned work in the Vancouver office.

Practice head(s):

Joel Camley


Other key lawyers:

Murray Braaten; Paulina Kam; Rosa Lupo; Susan Rosen; Syll Kushner; Robert Farmer


Testimonials

‘The team at Gowling is great to work with. They are very knowledgeable, able to quickly simplify complex problems into clear points.’

‘Paulina Kam is fantastic to work with. She is knowledgeable, always delivers what is discussed, and takes initiative to ensure that the things are done in the client’s best interest.’

‘Experienced and efficient teams with good attention to detail and timely service and responses.’

‘This team is highly responsive, detail-oriented and client-focused.’

‘Syll Kushner is an incredibly knowledgeable partner, and is dedicated to his clients.’

‘Paulina Kam is exceptionally compassionate and responsive. Working with Paulina is a pleasure.’

‘Excellent service and advice.’

‘Robert Farmer has always gone above and beyond. He collaborates efficiently and effectively and is always available to answer any questions.’

Key clients

SHAPE Properties Corp.


Oris Development Group


British Pacific Properties


InterRent Real Estate Investment Trust and Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd.


Seville Management and Leasing Ltd.


Precision NanoSystems


Montane Developments


Maker Pizza Inc.


Minto Group


Toronto Community Housing Corporation


Diva International (DIVACUP)


Campus Developments (Global) Inc.


Royal Bank of Canada


Work highlights


  • Acting as counsel to SHAPE Properties Corp with respect to all acquisitions, financing and development matters, including all work related to the adoption of master plans for the redevelopment of communities, including, but not limited to, ‘the Amazing Brentwood’ and ‘the City of Lougheed’.
  • Advising Campus Developments (Global) Inc. in the acquisition, financing and real estate development matters for The Revalie (Ottawa), a 1410 bed mixed-use student housing development.
  • Acting for InterRent Real Estate Investment Trust which, together with Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd., acquired a portfolio of 15 multi-family residential properties in Metro Vancouver for a combined purchase price of $292.5m.

Norton Rose Fulbright

The real estate practice at Norton Rose Fulbright utilizes its global reach (over 50 locations worldwide and offices in Calgary, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Quebec City) to advise developers, major lenders, landlords, tenants and government agencies involved in project development, finance, acquisitions, dispositions, commercial leasing and construction and infrastructure matters, ranging from contracts to litigation. The practice is led by joint venture and project finance specialist Miguel Manzano in Montreal and Michael Bolitho in Calgary, who handles complex commercial acquisitions and dispositions, condominium development, and the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts. Other key figures include Jean-Nicolas Prévost in Quebec City, noted for his management of partnership structures for investors; senior partner Annette Lambert; and senior associate Nadia Guizani. Senior partner Mario Caron retired in December 2022. Max Collett departed in June 2023.

Practice head(s):

Miguel Manzano; Michael Bolitho


Other key lawyers:

Jean-Nicolas Prévost; Annette Lambert; Nadia Guizani


Testimonials

‘Very thorough, resourceful.’

‘Miguel Manzano has been a key asset.’

‘Norton Rose Fulbright is a firm with high caliber lawyers and associates, working very effectively.’

‘They take the time to understand our business and are responsive to our needs.’

Work highlights


  • Advised Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in the distribution of the C$13.2bn National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF) under Canada’s National Housing Strategy.
  • Advised Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. (parent of Porter Airlines) with respect to the participation of one of its subsidiaries, together with Développement de l’Aéroport Saint-Hubert de Longueuil (DASHL), in an ongoing project to construct, operate and maintain a new commercial air terminal and its associated infrastructure and facilities at an airport in the Montreal region.
  • Advised Aukland and Main Development LP on the subscription of 50% of its units by Centurion REIT.

Aird & Berlis LLP

Toronto-based Aird & Berlis LLP utilizes the experience of its real estate team advise a diverse client base of public entities, private developers, REITs, builders, domestic and multinational lenders involved in the purchase, sale and development of real property and leasing transactions. In addition, the team handles the development, construction and management of office buildings, hotels, condominiums, residential rental projects, retirement homes and shopping centres. The practice is headed by Monty Warsh, who assists landlords, tenants, lenders and property managers in the drafting, negotiating and concluding of lease documentation. Key figures include transactional and real estate financing specialist Nili Goldman; Kyle Genga, who draws on 25 years of experience in the structuring of real estate investment vehicles; and Daniel Mahler, who assists with joint ventures, partnerships, real estate investment trusts and pension funds.

Practice head(s):

Monty Warsh


Other key lawyers:

Leonard Baranek; Kyle Genga; Nili Goldman; Daniel Mahler; Jacob Dubelaar; Etham Eisen; Rachel Rice


Testimonials

‘The team is highly knowledgable in their field, detects issues or problems specific to the deal at hand and provides answers and creative solutions.’

‘Nili Goldman provides exceptional service and is able to meet tight deadlines without compromising the quality of the legal service provided.’

‘With Aird & Berlis, everyone from senior partners, all the way down to clerks and assistants, are exceptional. They are respectful, diligent, experienced, thoughtful, hard-working, and consistently operate with integrity.’

Key clients

Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust


Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd.


Rice Commercial Group


Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust


First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust


Transmetro Limited


Fengate Asset Management


KIN Capital Partners Inc.


Medi Power Canada Inc.


Northam Realty Advisors Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Allied Properties, an operator of urban workspaces and network-dense urban data centres in Toronto, in its acquisition of six urban office properties from Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust for $794m.
  • Advised Crestpoint in its acquisition on behalf of its clients (including Crestpoint Core Plus Real Estate Strategy, Vestcor Inc., and Kiwoom Securities and Hangang Asset Management, a South Korean investment consortium), of a 90.1% interest in a 65 acre industrial property comprised of a 2.8 million sq. ft. newly constructed Amazon distribution facility.
  • Represented Rice Commercial Group and Choice Properties in the acquisition (over 2 years) of three properties comprising 380-net acres of industrial development land.

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP leverages the bench strength of locations in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary to advise financial institutions, real estate investment trusts, national retailers, commercial real estate investors, owners, developers, municipalities and educational and public institutions (including the Canada Life Assurance Company and the University of Toronto) on a diverse spectrum of matters. They range from real estate financing, commercial acquisitions and dispositions to land development, joint ventures and leasing. Jonathan Freeman leads the team, specializing in the finance of senior housing projects, office buildings, hotels, shopping centres and multi-family residential apartment complexes. Other key figures include David Redmond, who brings extensive experience to purchase and sale transactions and the financing and structuring of real estate transactions; Andrew Salem, who regularly represents restaurants and retail chains, energy companies and railways; and leasing expert Armen Khajetoorian. Kwaku Tabi and Manny Mukkar were promoted to partner in January 2023. All lawyers mentioned work in the Toronto office.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Freeman


Other key lawyers:

David Redmond; Andrew Salem; Armen Khajetoorian; Ardy Mohajer; Natasha Jimeno; Kwaku Tabi; Manny Mukkar;


Key clients

First National Financial LP


Portage Capital Corporation


Canada Life Assurance Company


University of Toronto


Infrastructure Ontario


The TDL Group Corp. (Tim Hortons)


CMLS Financial Ltd.


Mantella Corporation


Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada


Centurion Apartment REIT


DLA Piper (Canada) LLP

DLA Piper (Canada) LLP leverages the strength of its global network and national offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver to advise developers, builders, land and building owners and lenders, across such sectors as retail, transport, forestry, municipal, health and port/infrastructure, on matters ranging from acquisitions and sales, financings, joint ventures and limited partnerships to public-private partnerships (PPP) and commercial leasing. Mark Schmidt in Vancouver heads the team, who brings extensive experience with residential and commercial developments.

Practice head(s):

Mark Schmidt


Other key lawyers:

Nicholas Chan; Franco Trasolini; Catherine Gibson


Testimonials

‘DLA Vancouver’s legal team stands out from other firms. They are trusted and exceptional advisors.’

Key clients

Operating Engineers’ Pension Plan


Appelt Properties Inc.


StorageVault Canada Inc.


Mission Group Enterprises Ltd.


Lawson Lundell LLP

The Vancouver-based real estate practice at Lawson Lundell LLP acts for institutional and private investors, contractors, developers and government agencies, across such sectors as gaming, hospitality and retail, on a diverse spectrum of matters ranging from acquisitions & divestments, development, financing and leasing to litigation, tax, Indigenous law and environmental issues. Peter Tolensky, who leads the team, brings over 20 years of experience and assists utility, mining and pipeline companies, pension funds and a wide range of private entities, in addition to negotiating retail, office and industrial leases for landlords and tenants.

Practice head(s):

Peter Tolensky


Other key lawyers:

Jack Yong; Shaun Partridge KC; Aubrey Guild-Young; Maxwell Carroll; Chad Travis; Nicholas Shon


Testimonials

‘Lawson Lundell is a relatively large law firm that has a boutique feel and client approach with its real estate practice which is very compatible with the real estate development industry in Vancouver. Highly collaborative and pleasant to work with overall.’

‘Maxwell Carroll is a very pragmatic, creative, honest partner to work with. Instills a high level of trust. Nicholas Shon may be one of the best associates in the industry. Great judgement, organizational skills, communication skills and diligence. Always pleasant to work with.’