In the last 20 years, Canada's
major surges both in population and economic activity have translated into
exponential growth in all aspects of real estate, whether in municipal
infrastructure and institutional requirements, commercial and consumer needs in
homebuilding, industrial development or community, commercial and retail
services. From development, construction and land-use planning to commercial
leasing and property management, our property development and real estate lawyers
are proactive, deal-oriented advisors who understand the cyclical nature of the
business and can anticipate and respond to the market and its players.
Our clients include public
sector clients such as cities, municipal districts and provincial and federal
ministries as well as developers, investors, portfolio managers, landlords,
tenants, retailers, real estate professionals and financial institutions. According
to need, we have negotiated and advised on land use assemblies and properties
of virtually every type, including office properties, resort facilities,
residential developments, retail and mixed-use commercial centres, industrial
and manufacturing sites, gaming complexes, and other leisure and recreational
buildings. We also bring particular expertise to energy-related land use,
providing zoning, environmental and construction-related advice to multi-year,
multi-phase projects ranging from oil sands extraction facilities to refining
and upgrading sites.
One of our hallmark practices
is our work with real estate portfolio managers, pension funds and real estate
investment trusts (REITs). We have structured and led the financing of REITs
and have advised owners and fund managers on complex commercial real estate
developments, acquisitions, syndications, financings and dispositions. Working
with our restructuring counsel, we have also been involved in significant
national realization proceedings and Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act
restructurings of large real estate loans and credit facilities.
