Our Real Estate practice is run by lawyers who combine the experience and discipline of a major international law firm with a detailed knowledge of local requirements in the region.

Forward thinking and commercial in our approach, with a recognised ability to deliver complex deals, we handle the entire property life-cycle from the initial acquisition, development, construction, leasing, joint venturing and financing through to the final exit.

Hotels and Leisure

We act for a broad spectrum of clients in the hotel sector, including owners, operators, financial institutions and developers.

We advise on all aspects of a hotel transaction, including planning and environment, joint venture and equity structuring agreements, finance, development and construction.

We understand the relationship that exists between each party in the hotel sector and negotiate deals to ensure that they are workable.

Our international presence and experience also give us an invaluable insight into the needs of the global hotel and leisure industries.

Development

We have acted on many large mixed-use developments in the region for a range of development clients, including owners, developers, contractors, project sponsors and financial institutions.

Real Estate Finance

We act for clients in many different sectors. We advise on real estate finance transactions of all kinds including real estate investment funds, joint ventures, development, acquisitions and sales, mortgage securitisation, commercial leasing and licensing, development and management.

Construction

We act for developers, lenders and consultants on the full spectrum of construction matters, from advising on the procurement strategies of individual developments to drafting and negotiating the building contracts, consultants’ appointments and ancillary documentation.

Acting for the real estate industry’s leading players, we advise on the full range of real estate-related transactions.

With an integrated network of leading individuals, we have the commitment, resources and know-how to get your deals done, whatever and wherever they are.

Forward thinking and commercial in our approach, with a recognised ability to deliver complex deals, we handle the entire property ‘life-cycle’ from the initial acquisition, development, construction, leasing, joint venturing and financing through to the final exit.

Highlights of our recent experience include:

• UDC - advising UDC on the establishment of a US$300 million Shari'a compliant real estate development fund and US$300 million Shari'a compliant debt raising for the Qanat Quartier development on The Pearl, Qatar.
• Blue City, Oman - advising the developer of this multiphase new-city development (approx. US$ 15 billion) in Oman.
• Nakheel - advising Nakheel on several aspects of its development and ongoing management of The Palm, Jumeirah.
• Istithmar - advising Istithmar on several real estate and construction matters, including their successful US$1 billion bid (as part of a consortium with London & Regional and a consortium of Black Economic Empowerment Investors) to acquire 100% of the shares in V&A Holdings (Proprietary) Limited (“V&A”) from Transnet Limited - the government owned infrastructure company - and its pension funds. V&A owns the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Development in Capetown, South Africa. The deal is thought to be South Africa’s biggest property transaction.
• Citigroup - a lenders in relation to Kingdom Hotels and Colony Capital’s Joint Venture acquisition of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts for circa US$3.9 billion.
• Jumeirah - we advised, and continue to advise, Jumeirah on several of its development projects in Dubai and internationally, including the recently announced Jumeirah Hotel at Beetham Towers, a circa £600 million glass landmark to be built on the riverfront in Southwark, London.
• Fairmont Palm - advising the owner of the development plots on the Golden Mile, The Palm, Jumeirah (and other locations in the Middle East) in relation to management contracts with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, the related equity investment of the operator and Kingdom Hotels Group, and residential aspects of the development.
• “Atlantis” Hotel, The Palm, Jumeirah - advising lenders in relation to financing of the flagship “Atlantis Hotel” development on The Palm, Jumeirah.