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Commercial Real Estate

  • Download PDF
  • Key Contacts
  • Recent Experience
  • Recent Recognition
  • Insights, News & Events
  • Download PDF
  • Recent Experience
  • Recent Recognition
  • Insights, News & Events

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.

Chambers Canada 2019

#1 Real Estate Law Firm in Canada

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.

What Clients Say

"It was a fantastic experience working with them. Our internal stakeholders were really happy with our external real estate counsel... I value their expertise, technical skill and client management. I’d put them up against anybody."

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.

Key Contacts

  • Jane C. Helmstadter Jane C. Helmstadter, Partner
  • Ronald M. Barron Ronald M. Barron, Partner
  • Robert J. Bothwell Robert J. Bothwell, Partner
  • Larry R. Sandrin Larry R. Sandrin, Partner
  • Related Lawyers

Recent Experience

KingSett Real Estate Growth LP No. 7, in its $271-million acquisition of a portfolio of 37 industrial properties in Atlantic Canada from Dream Industrial REIT.
Citimark Group, in the acquisition of a partnership interest in the developer of a 36-storey residential tower in the Metrotown area of Burnaby, B.C., and ongoing development advice to Citimark Group in the development, marketing and sales of the project and development units.
Master developer of entire Coal Harbour project, through master plan, all development approvals, remediation, co-ownerships, servicing, subdivisions, financings, sales and leases.
Crown corporation, in planning, development, construction and operations of convention centre and public stadium lands and facilities.
Northwest Healthcare Properties Real Estate Investment Trust, in its $69.3-million public offering of 7,532,500 trust units in April 2016 (including full exercise of the over-allotment option) – counsel to the syndicate of underwriters co-led by RBC Capital Markets and BMO Capital Markets.
The developer of a multi-building, mixed-use town centre development project in a Vancouver suburb, with a focus on rezoning, construction, leasing and financing issues, in addition to an estate-related charitable gifting program.
Acal PLC, a UK-based company and a leading international supplier of customised electronics to industry, in its acquisition of Plitron Manufacturing Inc., a Toronto-based designer and manufacturer of custom toroidal transformers for transportation, medical and industrial applications.
Development, leasing, financing, subdivision and sales of high value projects in Metro Vancouver, including all dealings with B.C. Transit/TransLink on public transit guideways and stations.
The principal investors in the refinancing of Tuckamore Capital Management Inc., through the issuance by Tuckamore to the investors, on a private placement basis, of 8.00% Senior Secured Debentures due 2026 in an aggregate principal amount of $176,228,000, as well as the issuance of 10.00% Second Lien Secured Convertible Debentures due 2026 in an aggregate principal amount of $35,000,000.
The seller, on sale of an industrial site, for repurposing into a mixed use, high density and transit-oriented town centre project.
The borrower, in a $200-million first-ranking acquisition credit facility with the purchase of 2 Bloor Street West and Cumberland Terrace, Toronto.
The owner/developer, on master plan and transactions surrounding the Oakridge Centre redevelopment and related transit component.
The landlord, in the negotiation of a 240,000 sq. ft. office lease for an entire building located in Markham, Ontario and the purchase by the landlord of the adjacent industrial property from the tenant.
The developer and co-owners, with the development of a four-site mid-rise technology campus in south-east False Creek.
Noront Resources Ltd., in its acquisition of chromite properties in the Ring of Fire mineral region in northern Ontario from certain subsidiaries of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. for a purchase price of US$27.5 million pursuant to an Approval and Vesting Order granted by the Québec Superior Court on April 28, 2015.
The developer of a multi-site waterfront industrial project in North Vancouver, including advising on dealings with Port Metro Vancouver regarding waterfront use issues.
North West Redwater Partnership, in its $3.5-billion credit facility and $1.0-billion bond offering, the proceeds of which will contribute to the funding of the construction of North West's $8+ Billion bitumen refinery in the Alberta Heartland. The project is supported by 30-year tolling commitments of the Government of Alberta and Canadian Natural.
A national pension-fund-backed real estate fund, with the acquisition, sale and financing of commercial, industrial and retail properties in British Columbia.
The vendor, with Canada's largest single seniors housing portfolio transaction, and continue to act for seniors housing developers and operators.
A privately held company, in the real estate investment industry in the implementation of a hotel venture arrangement and acquisition of a hotel and related senior debt financing and franchise agreement with Coast Hotels Limited with a value of $19.7 million.
RTL-Westcan Limited Partnership, a leading hauler of bulk commodities in Western and Northern Canada, in the sale of its operating business to Kenan Advantage Group and its industrial properties to Edgefront Realty Corp. The ownership group of RTL-Westcan included TriWest Capital Partners, one of Canada's leading private equity firms, members of the RTL-Westcan senior management team and others.
Lenders, with two recent Canadian commercial property acquisitions establishing credit facilities in excess of $1 billion.
Osisko Mining Corporation, in its response to Goldcorp Inc's unsolicited offer and subsequent agreement with Yamana Gold Inc. and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited to jointly acquire 100% of Osisko's issued and outstanding common shares for total consideration of $3.9 billion.
Canaccord Genuity Corp., RBC Dominion Securities and BMO Nesbitt Burns as co-lead underwriters in the $75-million bought deal prospectus offering of trust units of Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust.
Boart Longyear, in a private placement of $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 10% senior secured notes due 2018.
Darling International Inc., in its acquisition of all the assets of Rothsay, a division of Maple Leaf Foods Inc., for approximately $645 million.
Brookfield Properties, in the negotiation of lease with lead tenant for new Brookfield Place project in Calgary.
A syndicate of underwriters led by Canaccord Genuity Corp., RBC Capital Markets and BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., in a bought deal offering of $184 million of subscription receipts of Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust (PIRET). Proceeds of the offering will be applied toward the purchase by PIRET of a $358-million portfolio of industrial properties from an affiliate of Slate Properties Inc.
KingSett Real Estate Growth LP No. 5, in the acquisition of 100 Alfred Kuehne Boulevard, Brampton, Ontario.
Acquisition of 17 properties by a KingSett Capital-led consortium, in H&R Real Estate Investment Trust's acquisition of Primaris Retail Real Estate Investment Trust pursuant to a Plan of Arrangement. Bennett Jones acted for the consortium with respect to real estate and banking matters.
C2C Industrial Properties Inc., in its $226-million acquisition by Dundee Industrial REIT.
Holloway Lodging Real Estate Investment Trust, in the implementation of its conversion from an income trust structure to a corporate structure by way of a plan of arrangement.

Recent Recognition

Chambers Canada
Band 1, Real Estate: Alberta
Ranked, Real Estate: Ontario; BC; Nationwide
Ranked, Spotlight Table, Real Estate: Zoning & Land Use: Alberta 
Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business
Ranked, Real Estate
The Legal 500: Canada
Ranked, Real Estate
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Repeatedly Recommended, Property Development, Property Financing & Development: Toronto
Most Frequently Recommended, Property Development, Property Leasing: Calgary

Insights, News & Events

Speaking Engagements

Craig Garbe on Shared Facilities at LandPRO Conference

March 03, 2021
       

Blog

Land Leases for Renewable Energy Projects in Alberta

February 16, 2021
       

Blog

Upcoming Legislative Changes Mean New Obligations for Condominium Developers

December 04, 2020
       

Blog

Not Just a Rent Subsidy: How CERS May Dramatically Affect You

November 20, 2020
       

In the News

Simon Crawford on Flexible-Workspaces and Commercial Real Estate

November 16, 2020
       

Blog

Federal Government Announces Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy

October 23, 2020
       

Blog

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance

October 08, 2020
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones Advises on $3.2-Billion Agreement to Acquire K+S Americas Salt Business, Including Morton Salt and Windsor Salt

October 05, 2020
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones' Best Lawyers in Canada 2021

August 27, 2020
       

Blog

Ontario Bill 197: Further Changes to Community Benefit Charges, Development Charges and Parkland Dedications

July 28, 2020
       

Blog

Green Buildings in the Economic Recovery

June 19, 2020
       

Blog

BILL 23 – Alberta Commercial Tenancies Protection Act Tabled in Legislature

June 18, 2020
       

Blog

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Announced for Qualifying Commercial Property Owners and Small Business Tenants

May 20, 2020
       

Speaking Engagements

Jane Helmstadter on COVID-19 and Commercial Real Estate

April 14, 2020
       

Blog

Alberta Court Rules that Condominium Bylaws can Restrict Short-Term Rentals like Airbnb

March 10, 2020
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones is Top-Tier in The Legal 500

November 18, 2019
       

Blogs Section

Ontario Initiates Three-Way Overhaul of Development Process

May 28, 2019
       

Updates

Ontario and Toronto Land Transfer Tax Update 2018

December 14, 2018
       

Blog

Ontario Landlords May Now Have Lien Claim Exposure from Tenant’s Work

September 28, 2018
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones’ “Formidable Prowess” Wins Chambers Real Estate Award

September 21, 2018
       

Speaking Engagements

Hold Me Harmless: Indemnidoos and Indemnidon'ts (Indemnity Agreements in a Commercial Sale)

April 18, 2018
       

Updates

Hold the Legalese! Ontario Has a New Standard Residential Lease

February 14, 2018
       

Speaking Engagements

Natalia Iamundo on Real Estate Alert: What You Need to Know in 2018

2018
       

Speaking Engagements

Natalia Iamundo on Commercial Real Estate Transactions

2018
       

Speaking Engagements

Unwilling or Unable (The Official Guide to Answering Requisitions)

September 19, 2017
       

Blog

Proposed Amendments to Ontario's Construction Lien Act

July 24, 2017
       

Speaking Engagements

Buying and Selling a Business

March 2 and March 9, 2017
       

Blog

Toronto Municipal Land Transfer Tax Increase

February 22, 2017
       

Blog

Amendments to Alberta's Municipal Government Act Likely to Reduce Time and Cost of Property Tax Review Process

January 23, 2017
       

Blog

New Record-keeping Requirements for Ontario Corporations with “Ownership Interest” in Land

November 16, 2016
       

Blog

Ontario Modernizing Land Transfer Tax

November 15, 2016
       

Updates

The Lease of Your Worries: Preserving the Priority of a Lessor's Interest in an Asset

November 08, 2016
       

Speaking Engagements

Queen's Real Estate Roundtable

October 27, 2016
       

In the News

Calgary Herald on UNICEF Canada's Water for Life Gala

October 15, 2016
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones in Chambers Canada 2017

October 11, 2016
       

Articles

Ontario and Toronto Land Transfer Tax Update

September 2016
       

Speaking Engagements

Appraisal Institute of Canada

Fall 2016
       

In the News

21 Bennett Jones Infrastructure Lawyers Canadian Leaders

August 26, 2016
       

Articles

Canada Revenue Agency Views on Taxable Canadian Property Determinations Involving Subsidiaries

July 2016
       

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