Commercial property: elsewhere in Scotland in Scotland
Brodies LLP
Brodies LLP continues to be active in the build-to-rent sector (BTR) and the emerging retirement and co-living markets. The real estate team works closely with other related departments, including construction, planning, environment, tax and litigation. It is noted for its high level of instructions from government and industry bodies. The team is jointly led by Glasgow-based partner Johane Murray and Tracey Menzies in Aberdeen, who handles commercial and residential acquisitions and developments. Elaine Farquharson-Black joined from Burness Paull LLP.
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Testimonials
‘Highly respected property lawyers and are widely considered to be some of the best in the city.’
‘The level of expertise, good advice and speed of response sets them apart from many other firms in the city.’
‘Extremely knowledgeable and efficient. We receive regular updates in respect of the transactions with which we are involved and someone is always available to take calls or reply to emails.’
‘Office hours do not apply for this team – they are available when ever needed and always go the extra mile to deliver what is demanded.’
‘Nothing is ever a problem and the willingness to get “stuck in ” is fantastic.’
‘Tracey Menzies and her whole team constantly deliver to the highest standard and always present a unified and cooperative front to ensure that what is needed is always provided.’
Key clients
Knight Property Group
University of Aberdeen
Drum Property Group
Brookfield
CALA Homes
GSS Investments
Aberdeen City Council
Great Century
Maven Capital
Robertson Group
Strathmore Hotels
Work highlights
- Acted for Great Century Investors/London & Oriental on the purchase of the Fairmont St Andrews Hotel.
- Acquisition of Rusacks Hotel in St Andrews for AJ Capital as part of a UK-wide hotel acquisition deal.
- Acting for Maven Property (Carters Yard) LP on the acquisition of student accommodation development site at 14 – 16 Dumbarton Road, Stirling and subsequent development funding.
Burness Paull LLP
Burness Paull LLP advises on high-profile development and regeneration work. It often acts for blue-chip corporate occupiers on asset management and office relocations. Its client base includes oil and gas companies, as well as industrial, leisure and public sector organisations. Team head John Strachan focuses on both residential and commercial developments. Another key individual is Richard Goodfellow, who is the head of the housebuilding sector group, and advises developers, landowners, housebuilders, investors and corporate occupiers on developments. Senior associate Sarah Stewart is also recommended. Neil Bruce made partner.
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Key clients
A & J Robertson (Granite) Limited
Aberdeen Football Club PLC
Cats Management Limited (now Kellas Midstream Limited)
Countesswells Development Ltd
Dandara
Duke of Fife
Esson Properties
GE Oil & Gas
John Clark Motor Group
Manse LLP
Fiera Real Estate (previously Palmer Capital)
CALA Homes
Stewart Milne Group
Total E&P UK
University of St Andrews
Uppermill Farms Ltd
London & Scottish Investment Property Ltd
First Endeavour LLP
BS Global One
Work highlights
- Advising Oceaneering International Services Limited on the consolidation of their operations in Aberdeen representing the largest industrial and office transaction in the Aberdeen market since 2015.
- Advising First Endeavour LLP on the acquisition from a private owner, entering into development arrangements and subsequent disposal to Aberdeen City Council of the site comprising 283 council houses as part of Aberdeen City Council’s drive to provide 2,000 new council homes.
- Continuing to act for Aberdeen Football Club on its new training facility and stadium at Kingsford, Aberdeen.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP is highly active in the residential and commercial sector, where it acts for national housebuilders, national and local developers, contractors, international oil services and related companies. The team is well regarded for its day-to-day, development and industrial support to oil companies. The firm also advises energy companies on early-stage development, project implementation and project financing. Team head Rodney Whyte focuses on the housebuilding sector, where he advises landowners and developers on residential developments.
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Testimonials
‘A key strength to the Pinsent Masons team is their approachability and respect, regardless of whether it is a partner, senior associate, associate or trainee graduate’.
‘What appears to make Pinsent Masons stand-out from the competition is the ability to assess risk from a purely legal perspective, and then apply a level of business pragmatism to not over-complicate things and still reach a favourable outcome’.
‘One of the key stand-out strengths of the Pinsent Masons team is their ability to be available and responsive, no matter the situation’.
‘Rodney Whyte showed strong leadership and pragmatism when coming up against stumbling blocks’.
‘The reputation and relationships Rodney has built up within his industry was clearly evident and was a key driver in getting this deal over the line collaboratively with the seller’s solicitor’.
‘Rodney is extremely approachable and contactable and this can prove difficult in other firms for someone of a similar level’.
‘The team has a depth of knowledge of the residential development sector which enables them to provide good commercial insights in addition to legal expertise’.
‘Rodney Whyte has many years of experience in the residential development sector and gives pragmatic commercial advice founded on a solid legal base’.
Key clients
CALA Group
BDW Trading Limited (Barratt Homes)
The Pilkington Trust
Avant Homes (Scotland) Limited
Taylor Wimpey plc
Persimmon Homes Limited
GSS Developments (Aberdeen) Limited
Aker
Taqa Bratani (The Abu Dhabi National Energy Corporation)
Aberdeen Harbour Board
Kier Property Developments
Baker Hughes
Mactaggart & Mickel
Wallace Land
Bellway Homes Limited
Bancon Homes
Watt Taylor Limited
Robertson Homes Limited
Work highlights
- Advised CALA Management Limited on the acquisition of a 700 unit development at Builyeon Road, Edinburgh.
- Advised the trustees of The Hilda Pilkington Trust on the proposed development and sale of 1500 unit development at Almond Valley Village, Perth.
- Continuing to advise Aberdeen Harbour Board on the development of the circa £400m new harbour at Nigg Bay, Aberdeen.
Blackadders LLP
The real estate team at Blackadders LLP handles a broad range of commercial property matters, including sales and purchases, leasing, property finance, property development and property disputes. The practice generates mandates in the retail, leisure, healthcare and renewable energy sectors. Group head Emma Gray acts on high-value development transactions. Neil Robb joined the team as partner as part of the firm’s merger with Plenderleath Runcie.
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Key clients
Salvation Army Trading Company Limited
Tayforth Properties Ltd
Morris Leslie Group
A. & J. Stephen Limited
James Hay Pension Trustees Limited
Hotel Management International
Tayforth Properties
Work highlights
- Acting for the administrators on the sale of the business of McGill & Co (which included a number of properties) to the buyer and the separate sale of other assets of the company to third parties.
- Advising PJS One Limited/Mike Street on the Scottish property aspects of the sale of SHB Hire Limited to Enterprise UK which involved work in relation to several Scottish depots. This deal resulted in the creation of one of the UKs biggest commercial rental businesses.
- Acting for Morris Leslie Limited on the acquisition of new group headquarters at West Kinfauns (former Edrington Group headquarters).
CMS
At CMS, Carol Nisbet was recently promoted to partner and now leads the Aberdeen real estate team. The group is noted for its expertise in the energy sector, particularly in relation to occupational leasing and the Scottish aspects of cross-border deals. Clients include developers, lenders and investors.
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Testimonials
‘Very responsive team who give clients clear advice and are very well respected in their market.’
‘I have worked with Carol Nisbet on a number of transactions and have always been impressed in her response time and attention to detail. She is able to focus on the important matters in a transaction and has the trust of her clients in advising on all aspects of commercial property.’
‘Carol Nisbet is responsive and goes the extra mile for clients.’
Key clients
WeWork
Knight Frank Investment Management
CBRE Global Investors
Opportunity North East
Repsol Sinopec
Lloyds Register EMEA
Duncan and Todd Group
Transocean
Equinor
Hunting Plc
Work highlights
- Acted for Knight Frank Investment Management (KFIM) on the £100m acquisition of the Leonardo Innovation Hub at Crewe Toll, Edinburgh.
- Acted for Lloyds Register on the letting of part of its facility at Prime Four Business Park to Transocean.
- Advised WeWork on the lease of its premises in George Street, Edinburgh, which marked its entry into the Scottish property market.
Ledingham Chalmers LLP
Ledingham Chalmers LLP is well regarded for its development and commercial leasing work. Its team also handles residential site acquisitions, refinancings and secured funding transactions, where it acts for mainstream lenders. Department head Stephen Morrice works with Alan Michie, who heads up the firm’s housebuilding unit, and Alasdair Maclure, who leads the commercial leasing unit. John Smart departed for Harper Macleod LLP.
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Key clients
Kirkwood Homes Limited
Wood
Anderson Anderson & Brown LLP
Gilcomston Investments Limited
Bancon Homes Limited
Veitchi Homes Limited
Carlton Rock Limited
Skene Group Limited
AW Creative Papers Group Limited
Redco (Slackbuie) Limited
Work highlights
- Acting Kirkwood Homes Limited on the acquisition of 33 unit residential development at Dunecht, Aberdeenshire
- Acting for Redco (Slackbuie) Limited on the acquisition and immediate onward sale of 4.9 acre development site at Slackbuie, Inverness
- Acted for AW Creative Papers Group Limited on an MBO which included the acquisition of Stoneywood Paper Mill, Stoneywood, Aberdeen and Chartham Mill, Canterbury.
Stronachs LLP
Stronachs LLP acts for domestic and international public and private sector clients, including private individuals and partnerships, oil and gas companies, public sector bodies, developers and investors. Practice head Duncan Campbell handles acquisitions and disposals, leases, investment and development matters. Ross Linn is the key practitioner in Inverness.
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Key clients
Global Energy Group
Strathdee Properties Limited
Peterson (United Kingdom) Limited
Spex Services Limited
Xodus Group Limited
DOF Subsea UK Limited
Aberdein Considine
Aberdein Considine handles a broad range of commercial real estate matters, including acquisitions and disposals, finance, development and leasing. Clients include developers, retailers, banks, hotels and football clubs. Glasgow-based Paul Jennings is the overall head of the practice, with Ritchie Whyte being the name to note in Aberdeen. Anthony Quin is the key contact in Stirling.
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Key clients
Trump International
Ashfield District Council
Greggs plc
Indigo Sun
Handelsbanken plc
@SIPP (Pension Trustees) Limited
James F Donald (Aberdeen Cinemas) Limited
The Aberdeen Picture Palaces Limited
IWM Communications Ltd
Atlas Lifts and Services Ltd
R & W Scott Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Trump International Golf Club Scotland Limited on all aspects of proposed 550 unit village development with additional leisure, commercial and retail premises.
- Advised Handelsbanken Plc on the financing of various investments in the North East of Scotland.
- Advised James F Donald (Aberdeen Cinemas) Limited on ongoing lease transaction work and related landlord and tenant issues relative to its large retail investment portfolio.
Harper Macleod LLP
Outside of the Edinburgh and Glasgow offices, Harper Macleod LLP’s real estate team operates in Inverness, Thurso, Elgin and Lerwick. Inverness-based Ross Thomson handles transactional work and litigation, recently shifting his focus to commercial property work, while Ian Davidson joined as a partner in Elgin from Wink & Mackenzie. John Meehan in Glasgow is the practice head.
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Testimonials
‘I have always found it easy to arrange meetings to discuss matters either in person or telephone. If the partner I have contacted does not have the expertise required they always have the ability to recommend another partner within HM To carry out the work required.’
Key clients
G & A Barnie
Tulloch Homes Group
Upland Developments
James Keiller Investments
Hazledene Group
James Keiller Group
Meallmore Limited
Boyd Brothers Limited
Fairways Inverness Limited
Home Farms Partnership
Jacobite Cruises Limited
Parkland Developments Limited
James Evans & Sons Limited
Gael Force Engineering Group
Rathven Investments Limited
Independent Vetcare Limited
Handlesbanken
Clydesdale Bank Plc
HSBC Plc
Bank of Scotland Plc
Ashers Bakeries Limited
Ocean Kinetics
Compass Building & Construction Services Limited
James Evans & Sons Limited
Whinhurst Properties Limited
Ardent Property Group
Loch Ness Homes Limited
Clyde Munro Dental Group
Dicksons of Forres Limited
GF Job Limited
Craigton Foods Limited
Bolts Shetland Limited
Morrison Community Corp Group Limited
St Giles Shopping Centre Holdings Limited
Cameron Paterson Homes Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for Jacobite Cruises Limited on its lease of land and property at Dochgarroch, Inverness, and the subsequent development of the lease property as a café, ticket office and visitor centre to service cruises.
- Acted for Marketgait Developments Limited on the acquisition and development of Myrekirk Retail Park, Dundee.
- Acted for Fairways Inverness Limited on due diligence and legal contracts for the acquisition of an 18 hole golf course, driving range, restaurant bar as a going concern business and investment property.
MacRoberts LLP
In 2019, MacRoberts LLP acquired Murray Snell LP, which bolstered its rural, agriculture and forestry services capabilities. The team handles property development and investment matters for public and private sector clients. Practice head David Milne advises clients on commercial and residential developments throughout Scotland.
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Key clients
Braemore Estates
Eastacre LLP
Broxburn Limited
Unicorn Property Group
Cullross Limited
Handlesbanken
West Developments (Scotland) Limited
Thomas Johnstone Limited
Work highlights
- Acting for Eastacre LLP on the disposal of £3.6m residential development.
- Acting for Royal Bank of Scotland on a £1.9m lease.
- Acting for Smugglers Development on the £1.6m disposal of a seaside residential development.
Thorntons Law LLP
Reflective of its wide reach across Scotland, Thorntons Law LLP recently acquired the former Morisons’ LLP’s real estate team, bolstering the practice’s capabilities with the addition of four new partners in the Edinburgh office. The firm also opened a new office in Glasgow in 2019. Team head Janet McIntyre, who is based in St. Andrews, is experienced in acquisitions and disposals, and landlord and tenant work, with a focus on the retail, office and leisure sectors. Healthcare and education are also areas of focus for the practice.
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Testimonials
‘They understand my needs and react quickly to my instruction’.
‘If they have any queries that they cannot answer, there is always someone in the team that they can refer to’.
‘All queries from me are dealt with promptly and with confidence’.
‘A real pleasure to work with’.
‘Communication is just right with enough detail for me to make a decision’.
‘Impressive, pragmatic practical advice at a sensible cost with a huge degree of common sense and thorough understanding of the law’.
‘The team we deal with joined Thorntons last year from Morisons; they provide top quality service, equal to any of the international firms, but still with a more local, personal touch’.
‘High quality service and excellent responsiveness’.
Key clients
Robert Adam & Son
Ward (Leisure) Scotland Limited
JJKS Estates Ltd
NC Tech Limited
Hillcrest Homes (Scotland) Limited (HH)
Caledonia Housing Association Limited (CHA)
Angus Housing Association Limited (AHA)
Acrefine Limited
University of Highlands & Islands
Work highlights
- Advised University of Highlands & Islands on the £10m acquisition of a new health/science centre.
- Advised Robert Adam & Sons on key development within Edinburgh for 900 residential units.
- Advised Hillcrest Homes (Scotland) Limited on £12.5m land acquisition.