The Legal 500 > Latin America > Chile > Real estate

The 16-member real estate group at full-service firm Barros & Errázuriz is widely respected for its experience in transactions and real estate development financing. It has particular expertise in the residential, commercial and industrial segments, particularly on financing and investment matters, as well as multi-family developments and larger real estate projects involving the educational, agricultural, hotel, retail, casino and tourism sectors. Clients further benefit from the firm's strong tax, banking and finance, capital markets, M&A, dispute resolution and regulatory practices. José Ignacio Ovalle (project development advisory) is widely regarded as a leading real estate law adviser, Oscar Ruiz-Tagle specialises in regulatory and urban issues, and Patricio Solórzano in corporate and real estate finance and development -particularly residential, commercial and industrial real estate projects and urban titling matters. Notable support is provided by recently appointed counsel Alejandra Aránguiz and senior associate Eduardo Tirado.

Carey's 11-strong department has broad experience in the development, financing, construction and sale of real estate projects, including residential, commercial, industrial and hospitality developments, mining and energy-related real estate matters, and rural housing. It is also experienced in deals involving conservation parks, shopping centres, office buildings and educational facilities. In addition, the practice assists with leases, the securitisation of portfolios and real estate asset management, and its advice typically includes corporate, regulatory and tax structuring, as well as the handling of disputes. With his previous experience including almost a decade in house at a major local real estate developer, Juan Pablo Stitchkin's practice focuses on real estate development, commercial real estate -particularly the retail segment- regulatory issues and zoning, construction and claims management. He co-leads the department with counsel Eduardo Martin, whose practice centres on the civil and commercial aspects of real estate along with transactional matters; he is also an officer of the International Bar Association Real Estate Committee. At associate level, Tomás Varela and Javiera Avilés have extensive real estate expertise.

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' eight-strong practice is particularly well known for advising on major real estate M&A transactions, such as the purchase and sale of large shopping malls, office buildings and utilities' real estate assets. Other areas of strength include major real estate greenfield projects, including industrial plants, shopping malls and large data centres. The practice has also accumulated expertise in long-term lease agreements, as well as complex construction issues concerning industrial, commercial and energy projects. Juan Pablo Matus regularly advises on significant real estate projects; while Tomás Vidal, who is experienced in advising foreign funds on the acquisition of office buildings and condominium management, was made partner in 2020. Associate-level support is provided by Mónica Pavez.

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's six-strong team is particularly experienced in assisting international real estate investment funds. Its expertise covers residential condominiums, apartment and office buildings, shopping centres, hotels, and urban and rural real estate developments. As a full-service firm, it also assists with finance and tax structures, real estate assets during M&A transactions, environmental impact studies, due diligence, and real estate investors' partnership agreements. Team leader José Tagle has broad experience in real estate investment funds and urban law. At associate level, María Eugenia Badilla Lepe is experienced in title studies, promissory sale and purchase agreements, sale and purchase contracts, and leases; and Cristóbal Uriarte is noted for real estate project developments. Former partner in the Santiago office, Rafael Jiménez returned to Uría Menéndez's Madrid office.

Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana fields a 21-strong group that works predominantly with financial institutions, such as insurance companies, on the creation, development and financing of major real estate projects. It also assists international investment funds with major real estate investments in Chile. Alejandro Álvarez regularly assists construction and real estate companies with real estate matters, and Octavio Bofill has significant experience in advising on the financing of real estate projects, particularly when part of a merger or acquisition. Additional partners that are highly active in the sector include Ana María Yuri (real estate project finance, construction and operational contracts and subleasing - especially with insurance companies and investment funds), Rodrigo Saffirio (pre-sale analysis, real estate asset-related contracts and advisory on real estate transaction finance) and José Antonio Velasco (real estate project finance and development).

CMS Carey & Allende's four-member real estate, urban planning and infrastructure group has a strong focus on infrastructure development, urban development (including planning and zoning matters), and related regulatory issues. It also has longstanding experience in the development of pipelines and power transmission lines, expropriation processes and ownership title regularisation for industrial plants and other real estate assets. Pabla Gaínza heads the real estate and construction, and public law and regulatory practices; notable support is provided by senior associate Karin Muñoz, whose practice includes warehouse projects, urban planning law, and construction procedures (including potential conflicts).

Fleischmann & León Abogados' nine-member department advises a number of real estate and construction companies, as well as investment funds, on the development of housing, office and commercial projects. It is also focused on: advising clients on their relations with landowners in relation to project development; and the finance structuring for commercial store and shopping centre projects. Juan Pablo Urenda leads the real estate practice in conjunction with senior associate -and real estate and construction law specialist- Vicente Fuenzalida Rivas. Name partner Juan Ignacio León Lira is also active in the sector; his experience includes bidding processes, negotiations, financing, audits and claims.

The six strong team at Guerrero Olivos is particularly experienced in real estate transactions and financing; its workload also encompasses real estate asset management, project development and regulatory issues. Focused on both transactional and regulatory issues, practice head Martín Santa María is an expert in zoning regulations and real estate permit disputes; co-head of the firm's public law, regulatory and TMT groups, José Gabriel Undurraga regularly assists local real estate companies with their relations with regulators. Associate Tomás Rosemary is noted for project acquisitions, title reports, real estate financing and leasing contracts, among other issues.

MB Abogados' sizeable 19-strong practice advises real estate companies on a range of transactions, including M&A, joint ventures, project finance and general corporate governance. In addition, the team advises public and private investment funds (and property owners) on real estate project-related issues. Focused on real estate project financing and development, Carolina Menichetti heads the real estate team, which also includes widely-respected real estate specialist Ignacio Bolelli. Strong growth in 2019 saw real estate project development and finance expert Benjamín Salas becoming partner and the hiring of senior associates Francisca Rodríguez and Cristóbal Silva from EY Chile and Carey, respectively. Further support is provided by senior associates Diego Yavar and Sybil O’Reilly.

Prieto Abogados' four-member department provides a full-spectrum service in relation to the acquisition, development and construction of large real estate projects, including assistance with tax planning, financing, corporate issues, land use, environmental law and construction matters. The team also handles due diligence and key contract negotiations. Fernando Samaniego heads the real estate team (as well as the litigation and arbitration department). At associate level, Camila Urzúa's practice is predominantly focused on real estate project development, and Alejandra Bañados is also active in real estate work. However, former partner Cristóbal Villarino and associate Juan Andrés Ilharreborde left to co-found Villarino e Ilharreborde in early 2020.

In addition to day-to-day matters and the management of real estate projects, Urenda, Rencoret, Orrego y Dörr's five-strong real estate department is best known for real estate development, including due diligence processes, joint ventures, purchase and construction agreements, financing, obtaining administrative permits, and real estate sales. Experienced partners Gonzalo Errázuriz (due diligence; joint venture, purchase and construction agreements; project finance; administrative permits and authorizations, and real estate sales), and Felipe Rencoret , who made partner in 2017, co-lead the practice; Errázuriz acts as an adviser to several real estate companies' directorial boards, while Rencoret's practice extends into both project finance and construction; he has longstanding experience in the sector.

DLA Piper Chile is a constant market presence advising on the development of real estate projects, including the drafting of construction contracts, urban planning and the financing of housing, hospitality and photovoltaic plant projects. The practice also advises on regulatory, taxation and land issues. Head of the real estate and construction practice, Rodrigo Álvarez is a 20-year veteran of the sector and focuses primarily on full life-cycle project development (from project initiation to sale), along with the tax planning and implementation. Counsel Teresa Fernández handles both the corporate and regulatory aspects of real estate matters, while senior associate Bernardita Doren focuses on corporate, project and real estate finance.

Garrigues Chile's seven-strong department has broad experience in office, residential, commercial and hotel projects. The team assists with the full project development cycle, from the financing, tax structuring and regulatory aspects, to the acquisition, development, construction, sale and leasing of real estate projects. José Miguel Rioseco has over 20 years' experience in the sector, principally both finance and development matters; and Luis Eduardo Correa acts for investment funds, developers and service providers on both transactional and day-to-day matters. Key support is provided by senior associate María Cecilia Morandé.

The five-member team at Honorato | Delaveau advises real estate and construction companies, real estate investment funds, investment banks, family offices and private clients on the development of residential, industrial, office and commercial projects. It also assists with the establishment of operating vehicles and financial structures. A specialist in real estate, engineering and construction law, as well as project finance, Juan Ignacio Peña leads the team, which also fields asset-backed finance expert Sebastián Delpiano. The firm responded rapidly to the departure of former senior associate Roberto Olivos in August 2019, drafting in Macarena Riquelme from Quintanilla & Busel Niedmann as a senior the same month, hiring and Antonia Vial from Arteaga Gorziglia & Cia Abogados in November.

The unwinding of the 2018 merger which produced Jara del Favero & Ried Fabres saw the return to the market of its two constituent firms, Ried Fabres and Jara del Favero Abogados. The latter's real estate project-focused practice assists with planning, financing, title revision, land purchasing and building permits. It also advises on administrative procedures, construction works, and sales and leases. Experienced partner Sven Herlin leads the firm's real estate (and M&A) department.

Boutique law firm Marinovic & Alcalde Abogados has a group of seven practitioners that advise on all stages of real estate projects, including assistance with construction, environmental law, permits and regulatory issues. The team is also expert in compliance matters involving land use regulations, and real estate litigation regarding zoning and land-use decisions. Real estate head Juan Carlos Méndez Montero has comprehensive knowledge of the sector and led over 20 completed real estate projects during 2019. Name partner Iván Marinovic Pacey and senior associate Domingo Edwards Morel both have extensive experience in the sector.

Morales & Besa's six-member real estate and infrastructure team is focused on both transactional and regulatory matters, and frequently works alongside the firm's banking and finance, tax, and energy practices. The department is led by experienced partner Macarena Laso, whose broad experience covers public concessions, real estate and construction works, along with infrastructure projects. The practice is strongly supported by senior associate James Channing, who brings approximately 10 years’ experience in construction, real estate, project finance and infrastructure to the practice.