Firms To Watch: Real estate: local firms

Kennedys Legal Solutions, the Singapore joint law venture, has a dedicated real estate practice led by Patrick Ee and Christopher Yong. The team is noted for a range of transactions, especially collective sales.

Real estate: local firms in Singapore

Allen & Gledhill LLP

Allen & Gledhill LLP remains very much at the forefront of the real estate market. Of late, it has worked on a series of headline acquisitions and disposals, including enbloc deals; this includes both commercial and residential properties. The large team spans all key areas of real estate, including development, property joint ventures, REITs, and leasing. Ho Kin San is hugely experienced and highly-rated in the market. Eudora Tan is another senior figure in the market with an impressive record in REITs, acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures and commercial leases.

Practice head(s):

Ho Kin San; Eudora Tan

Testimonials

‘The team has a wealth of experience handling complex legal structures. The team has strong technical knowledge and industry expertise. Partner, Ernest Teo, is supported by a team of associates who are well trained and technically sound.’

‘Ernest Teo is very capable and commercially minded. He is responsive and able to tackle complex legal structures and considerations effortlessly. Ernest is fully on top of all legal developments and keeps us updated of changes. Ernest consistently provides commercially driven solutions and communicates in a clear and concise manner.’

‘Smart, knowledgeable, easy going, disciplined and efficient members.’

‘A&G’s Real Estate practice is one of the largest in Singapore and as a result, they have experience in wide spectrum of work including complex real estate transactions. Their drafting standards are very high as their lawyers are generally very well-trained. They are also technically very strong and because of the breadth of their experience, they have a good feel of what is market and hence are able to advise clients in a commercial manner.’

‘The A&G Real Estate team led by Ho Kin San is our first choice of law firm in real estate work. Ho Kin San is supported by a team of very competent partners, namely Shalene Jin, Tan Boon Wah, Lyn Wee, Eudora Tan to name a few.’

‘A&G is a full service firm that provides industry-leading standards across corporate and real estate work.’

‘Good depth and breadth of knowledge with a good team mix available at short notice to provide assistance to us with holistic global solutions.’

‘Hoo Sheau Farn has a deep domain knowledge of all areas related to her work and has a broad commercial perspective which she applies with a very customer-centric lens to every issue we face in our projects. Practical, efficient and effective advice always.’

Work highlights

  • Advised CapitaLand Singapore on its joint venture with HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Singapore), in its capacity as trustee of Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust, in relation to the acquisition of the leasehold interest in 1 Science Park Drivefrom A-REIT and the redevelopment of the Property.
  • Advised Soilbuild Group Holdings on the S$900m acquisition of all the issued units in Soilbuild Business Space REIT by way of a Trust Scheme of Arrangement and forward sale of certain assets held by SBGH entities.
  • Advised Frasers Logistics & Commercial Asset Management, as manager of Frasers Commercial Trust, on the S$810m divestment by Frasers Commercial Trust of its leasehold interest in and to the whole of Lot 617A of Town Subdivision 4 together with the development  known as Cross Street Exchange to SCC Straits.

Dentons Rodyk

Dentons Rodyk has one of the largest teams in the market, principally operating in the corporate real estate segment. It advises a range of institutional funds, developers, landlords and other entities in high-value deals. Industrial and logistics transactions have been at the heart of the practice in recent years, with further growth in office and retail deals after declines during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The team advised Pacific Eagle Real Estate, the Singapore-based real estate investor and developer, on its S$868m collective purchase of the Tanglin Shopping Centre. Pat Lynn LeongMelanie Lim and Liat Yeang Lee co-head the real estate team, which includes Maureen Ann, who heads the land rights and leasing practice.

Practice head(s):

Pat Lynn Leong; Melanie Lim; Liat Yeang Lee

Other key lawyers:

Maureen Ann

Testimonials

‘Melanie Lim renders practical legal advice with commercial sense. She always makes time and communicates effectively with her clients and her team so as to resolve issues instantly.’

Key clients

KKR and Global Infrastructure Partners

A subsidiary of Nuveen Real Estate, APCF Megatrends Singapore

Wholly-owned subsidiary of Pacific Eagle Real Estate

Consortium of CEL Development , SingHaiyi Group and Ultra Infinity

A wholly-owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Group Pte. Ltd., Tanglin R.E. Holdings Pte. Ltd.

Wywy Development Pte. Ltd

ARA Trust Management (Suntec) Limited

Fraxtor Capital

Mapletree Logistics Trust Management Ltd

CES Capital Holdings Pte Ltd

Work highlights

  • Advised on the Singapore real estate aspects of the successful cross-border bid by private equity firm KKR and fund manager Global Infrastructure Partners to acquire data centre operator, CyrusOne.
  • Acted for Nuveen Real Estate on its investment and joint venture with JP Morgan Global Alternatives to acquire a Grade A office building, One George Street.
  • Acted for a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pacific Eagle Real Estate, a Singapore-based real estate investor and developer, in its collective purchase of the commercial development known as Tanglin Shopping Centre at the purchase price of S$868m.

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP has an established presence in commercial transactions, including recent deals in the data centre and storage hubs sectors. The team represented the purchasers in the S$1.3bn acquisition of One George Street in the heart of the Singapore’s Central Business District. It has an experienced team led by seasoned real estate specialist Norman Ho. Frequently working alongside colleagues in the corporate, intellectual property and restructuring teams, the real estate group has also made a further impression in liquidations and scheme of arrangement transactions, a real forte for the firm as a whole. Elsa Chai is also enormously experienced, and Chou ChingBenjamin Tay and Gazalle Mok are also key team members.

Practice head(s):

Norman Ho; Elsa Chai

Other key lawyers:

Benjamin Tay; Gazalle Mok; Chou Ching

Testimonials

‘R&T’s Real Estate practice has deep knowledge and sound experience in property transactions and related matters including tax & stamp duty. Our Group has relied on team heads Norman Ho and Chou Ching for clear advice and directions on property purchases and disposals and have not engaged any other law firms for some years now. The practice has kept our group updated through heads-up emails followed with a detailed newsletter as soon as new, relevant laws come into force.’

‘We have only worked with Norman Ho and Chou Ching through the years. They are easily accessible through emails and even whatsApp where timely responses are critical. Even their support team has been quick to engage our Group in their absence.’

‘Chou Ching heads this RE team that we worked with and the team is very responsive to our requests. Responses are also detailed and specific, usually without the need for further clarification.’

‘Chou Ching is a partner that does the ‘dirty’ work herself. This does not mean the associates on the matter are not trusted, but it definitely helps the client because the matter does not ground to a standstill when the associate is on leave as Chou Ching will step in to do what is needed. Not every partner does this.’

Key clients

Boustead Industrial Fund Management Pte. Ltd.

Lucas Real Estate Singapore Pte. Ltd.

Via IV (BVI) Holdco 2 Ltd

BreadTalk Group Pte. Ltd.

Hillcrest Investments Pte Ltd

Hong How Land Pte. Ltd.

Golden Paramount (BVI) Ltd.

Northernone Development Pte. Ltd.

ACREF SG 4 Pte. Ltd.

Ember Properties Pte. Ltd.

OneApex Development Pte. Ltd.

A38 Holdings Pte. Ltd.

Public Utilities Board

Kheng Leong Company (H.K.) Limited

Work highlights

  • Acted for the purchasers in the S$1.3bn acquisition of the property known as One George Street and situated at 1 George Street, Singapore, a 23-storey Grade A office building located at the heart of the Singapore’s Central Business District.
  • Acted for the owners of 22 lots at Thiam Siew Avenue in the S$815m collective sale of the 22 lots at Thiam Siew Avenue to Hoi Hup Realty Pte Ltd and Sunway Developments Pte Ltd.
  • Acted for the purchaser in the acquisition of the property known as Cross Street Exchange and situated at 18, 20 and 22 Cross Street, Singapore (which includes the 4 retails units at 181 South Bridge Road, Singapore) from British and Malayan Trustees Limited.

WongPartnership LLP

WongPartnership LLP has a large team and a wide-ranging practice. It is able to draw on the extensive resources of the firm, along with a broad client base of corporates, developers, investors and others. Along with a number of headline acquisitions and disposals engagements, the firm remains active in real estate financings, including green loans Dorothy Ng has decades of experience in real estate acquisitions and disposals, leasing, development, and financings. Tan Teck Howe and Monica Yip have advised on a number of headline acquisitions and disposals in recent years, while Serene Soh, Cornelia Fong and Angela Lim are also highly reputed. Bonnie Wong retired in December 2021.

Practice head(s):

Dorothy Ng

Other key lawyers:

Tan Teck Howe; Monica Yip; Serene Soh; Cornelia Fong; Angela Lim

Testimonials

‘The team led by Dorothy Ng has consistently delivered sound, well thought through solutions and advice. The focus is always on meeting the needs of and what is best for the client which speaks very well on the practice.’

‘Dorothy Ng is an extremely talented lawyer who always strives to act for the best interest of her clients. She is honest in giving advice, very trustworthy and can be trusted to deliver a good piece of work.’

‘Deep regulatory knowledge, good understanding of regulatory practices.’

‘Tan Teck Howe – strong regulatory background.’

‘Good technical knowledge of laws and practice in real estate transactions in Singapore and also able to offer practical advice/solutions.’

‘Partner is friendly and helpful and with good knowledge of the industry.’

‘The team has strong competence in all Singapore real estate related matters including transactional work. The team works seamlessly with other teams (such as M&A, or banking) which makes deal execution smooth and reliable.’

‘Strong attention to detail, will flag out points that our team did not think of and never fail to bring all of the risks to our attention.’

Key clients

ESR-REIT

UOL Group Limited

M + S Group

CapitaLand Group/CapitaLand Commercial Trust/CapitaLand Malls Asia Trust/Ascendas REIT

Perennial Group

AIMS AMP – Capital Industrial REIT

Resorts World Sentosa

Shimizu Group

Arkema Pte. Ltd.

Lee Rubber Company

NTUC Income Insurance Co-Operative

Manulife Financial Corp

Parkway Trust Management Limited/ Parkway Pantai Group

ARA Asset Management Limited

United Overseas Bank Limited

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited

Mapletree Group/Mapletree Industrial Trust

Grab

Central Provident Fund Board

Lendlease

Work highlights

  • Acted for ESR Fund Management in the acquisition by ESR-REIT of the property at 46A Tanjong Penjuru.
  • Acted for Blackstone in the acquisition of the building known as Sandcrawler located within the Fusionopolis business park.
  • Acted for the purchaser, a subsidiary of The Place Holdings Limited, in the collective purchase of Realty Centre.

Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow

Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow continues to be amongst the prominent firms in real estate matters in Southeast Asia and beyond. The real estate team, under the leadership of senior name Geraldine Ong, has landed a series of engagements in deals in the data centre, logistics, industrial and manufacturing sectors. The group has also worked on a number of Singapore acquisitions and disposals by large multinationals. Leasing and real estate finance is another forte for the Singapore team. Sharon Tan is another key member of the group.

Practice head(s):

Geraldine Ong

Other key lawyers:

Sharon Tan

Testimonials

‘Ms Geraldine Ong has provided very strong leadership and she really lead by example in providing her clients the comfort to know that things will be taken care from end-to-end. Really very exceptional for legal advisory in real estate industry.’

‘The real estate team is very experienced, value adds & provides out-of-the-box solutions to client’s complex issues.’

We have been working with the team led by Geraldine Ong and Sharon Tan. The Baker team is highly responsible for the projects assigned and timely responsive to our urgent requests. I think what makes them unique is that they add a bit of friendly closeness besides their professionalism to our daily cooperations.’

Key clients

Lineage Logistics

REC Solar Pte Ltd

Tee Hai Chem Pte Ltd

Work highlights

  • Acted for REC Solar in the disposal of shares in its Norwegian parent to Reliance New Energy Solar.
  • Advised specialty chemicals distributor, Tee Hai Chem and its founders, on the sale of its remaining 49% stake to Brenntag, a German chemical distribution giant.
  • Advised Lineage Logistics, one of the world’s largest temperature-controlled industrial REIT and logistics solutions provider on its purchase of 100% of Pins Corporation which in turn owns the 100% share capital of Mandai Link Logistics.

BH2I

BH2I has a distinct emphasis on hospitality developments in Thailand, throughout Southeast Asia, North Asia and beyond. The nascent firm represents a growing number of private equity houses, hotel operating companies and property owners. Benjamin Hirasawa has extensive experience in the region.

Practice head(s):

Benjamin Hirasawa

Testimonials

‘Managing partner’s vast and in-depth knowledge of and experience in the APAC hospitality industry is unmatched.’

‘Ben Hirasawa is an excellent lawyer and my go-to counsel whenever I need legal advice. Given his vast and in-depth knowledge of and experience in the hospitality industry, Ben delivers advice that is on point, technically sound and practical at the same time. He and his team are always responsive, which is crucial for time-sensitive projects. It is a pleasure working with Ben.’

Key clients

8M Management Services Pte Ltd

Onefinestay

Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts

Barcelo Hotel Group

Capella Hotel Group

Hilton International Asia Pacific Pte Ltd

InterAsia Asset Management Co., Ltd.

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board

Oxford Properties

Oaktree Capital Management

Maneeya Realty Company Limited

Minor International PCL

Oakwood Worldwide (Asia) Pte Ltd

Onyx Hospitality Group

Radisson Hotel Group

Stellini International (Suisse) S.A

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Work highlights

  • Advised a global luxury hotel operating company in connection with its global development, branding, operations, retention, and expansion strategy.
  • Advised a global operator of luxury and ultra-luxury brands with headquarters in Singapore on market entry into Japan under new franchise light business hotel development model for trophy property in Kyoto Japan.
  • Counsel to a leading global hospitality company on all aspects of the development of numerous hotels in Asia in connection with aggressive regional expansion plan headquartered from Singapore.

Drew & Napier LLC

Drew & Napier LLC has a substantial team with a strong presence in developments, acquisitions and disposals, and projects and infrastructure-related land matters. The group is active in the collective sales market too. It represents a range of multinationals, listed and non-listed developers, construction companies and collective sales entities. Among a number of headline engagements, it advised an insurance conglomerate on the S$1.28bn sale of its 50% stake in the Grade A office, One George Street. Ho Soo Lih and the highly-rated Lau Sok Hiang co-head the real estate team, with Yeong Wai Cheong active in the Singapore leasing segment and April Mak also noted for collective sales transactions.

Practice head(s):

Ho Soo Lih; Lau Sok Hiang

Other key lawyers:

Yeong Wai Cheong; April Mak

Testimonials

‘Overall I am very satisfied with Drew & Napier’s team handling conveyancing matters. They are a key partner to our business in real estate developments. The lawyers are very professional and careful; providing advice and in-depth opinions when complicated problems arise. Prompt responses with efficient work, having good understanding of our business.’

‘I have been dealing with Ms. Lau Sok Hiang for about 20 years. Excellent work with extremely high professional knowledge and expertise. The service rendered by Sok Hiang to our organisation is always very professional, reliable and prompt.’

‘The firm has knowledgeable, well-reputed lawyers, who also have a good standing in society. Many of their lawyers chair professional and business organisations which make them have wide connection and know the business aspects of the transactions. This make them unique.’

‘I worked with Lau Sok Hiang as co-head corporate real estate in several cross borders real estate projects and she has the ability to explain complicated structure or legal issues to the clients in simple manner so that the clients can understand quickly.’

‘Ms Lau Sok Hiang and her team from Drew & Napier are responsive and creative . They are attentive to details . The charges are very reasonable.’

‘Ms Lau Sok Hiang and her team reply swiftly and I find them very creative and productive when handling matters.’

Key clients

CA Indosuez (Switzerland) SA, Singapore Branch

Citibank

CPF Board

dormakaba Production GmbH & Co. KG.

Far East Organisation

GuocoLand Limited

KOP Group Limited

Lucrum Capital Group

Markham Agro (19 HK) Pte. Ltd.

OCBC

Reignwood Group

Riway (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Soilbuild Business Space REIT

Soilbuild Construction Group of Companies

UOB

UOL Group Limited

VP Bank Ltd

UBS Singapore

Work highlights

  • Acted for an insurance conglomerate in the sale of its 50% stake together with SGX-listed CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust in the Grade A office building known as One George Street.
  • Acted for Far East Organisation in the sale of units in various residential, commercial and mixed developments.
  • Acted for SGX Mainboard-listed Tuan Sing Holdings in the divestment of its property holding subsidiary 39 Robinson Road.

Shook Lin & Bok LLP

Shook Lin & Bok LLP has a sizeable team of real estate specialists, covering commercial, industrial and residential property, which includes hotels and hospitality-related deals. The firm is also widely recognised for its REITs and property funds expertise. Chew Mei Choo has more than 30 years experience as a real estate specialist and Lee Chau Hwei is also a seasoned practitioner having previously been general counsel at a prominent hospitality REIT. Andrea Ng and Tan Woon Hum provide additional expertise in REITs and funds-related work.

Practice head(s):

Chew Mei Choo; Lee Chau Hwei

Testimonials

‘Extremely responsive and personable. In-depth knowledge of the practice and regulations, which are made easy for the client to understand.’

‘Lee Chau Hwei is an amazing partner, who responds almost always within the hour. He makes himself available at all times, is easy to understand and is most personable. He also helps clients manage their budget effectively.’

Work highlights

  • Acted for M&C Business Trust Management (in its capacity as Trustee-Manager of CDL Hospitality Business Trust) in relation to a forward funding arrangement allowing CDLHT to invest in a freehold residential BTR property at a fixed cost, with cash flows managed over the duration of the development.
  • Acted for DBS Trustee, the trustee of Mapletree Commercial Trust, in the S$4.2bn merger between Mapletree Commercial Trust and Mapletree North Asia Commercial Trust.
  • Acted for Perpetual (Asia), in its capacity as the trustee of Digital Core REIT, in relation to the REIT’s initial public offering and listing on the Singapore Exchange.

Withers KhattarWong LLP

Withers KhattarWong LLP has a flourishing real estate practice, frequently acting for buyers, sellers and banks. The team typically operates in the middle market, and is noted for industrial buildings, particularly self storage facilities. The firm’s strong private client credentials have led to a series of engagements for high net-worth individuals and family offices in purchasing trophy assets in Singapore. Kenneth Szeto leads the team, which is fused with the banking and finance practice. Hotels and leisure specialist Tien Gui Koh joined the firm in 2022 from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP.

Practice head(s):

Kenneth Szeto

Other key lawyers:

Tien Gui Koh

Key clients

Boustead Projects Limited

United Engineers Limited

Mercatus Delta Co-operative Limited

Teambuild Engineering & Construction Limited

Mandarin Self Storage Pte. Ltd.

TuasOne Pte. Ltd.

Boustead Industrial Fund

FG Resources Pte. Ltd.

The General Storage Company

Heitman LLC

BP-Braddell LLP

Perpetual (Asia) Limited, acting as trustee of Boustead Industrial Fund

Work highlights

  • Acted for BP-Braddell in the $121m sale of the industrial property development known as 351 Braddell to Perpetual (Asia), the trustee of Boustead Industrial Fund.
  • Acted for Perpetual (Asia), in its capacity as trustee of a private industrial fund, in its S$400m acquisition of direct and indirect interests in 14 industrial property assets, through a combination of asset acquisitions and share acquisitions in the property holding companies.