Commercial Real Estate

We deliver strategic, deal-focused real estate counsel across Canada, guiding clients through development, transactions, and portfolio management with insight and precision.
Key Contacts
Burgos RichardCameron AlixeHelmstadter JaneLewis Mark
Skyscrapers

Overview

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.

,,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.,,

What Clients Say

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.

With the opening of an office in Montréal, your number one real estate law firm in Canada is now available in Québec.

Client Work

A developer, in obtaining the necessary approvals for the St. Lawrence Starch residential development in a Lakeshore community near Toronto
BNY Trust Company of Canada
$310.5-million term credit facility involving Talon International for the construction of the Trump Tower, Toronto
A prospective purchaser, on the environmental issues and potential liabilities associated with a contaminated former industrial property in Ontario prior to its development as a condominium
Toronto-Dominion Bank
in its financing of Phases I and II of the Waterclub Condominium project in Toronto, Ontario
Pinnacle International
acquisition of 33 Bay Street, Toronto, the project financing and tax structuring as well as in the creation of four residential condominium plans containing approximately 2,200 units, ...
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Minto Communities
in its acquisition of the fee simple components of the Lansdowne Park master plan redevelopment in Ottawa, Ontario including all aspects of financing, mixed-use agreements, project ...
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Minto Communities
the two-tower mixed-use condominium project incorporating two residential condominium plans, a retail condominium plan and a commercial condominium plan, as well as a commercial parking ...
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Recognitions

Chambers Canada
Real Estate Law Firm of the Year
Band 1, Real Estate: Alberta
Ranked, Real Estate: Ontario; BC; Nationwide
Ranked, Spotlight Table, Real Estate: Zoning & Land Use: Alberta 
The Legal 500: Canada
Ranked, Real Estate
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Most Frequently Recommended, Property Development (Toronto); Property Leasing (Calgary)
Consistently Recommended, Property Development (Calgary and Vancouver); Property Leasing (Toronto and Vancouver)
Repeatedly Recommended, Property Development (Edmonton); Property Leasing (Edmonton)

Explore Our Services

Condominium/Strata Development

Condominium/Strata Development

We guide developers and industry stakeholders through every stage of condominium and strata projects, delivering practical legal solutions that anticipate risks and drive successful developments.
Leonard A. Gangbar
Leonard A. Gangbar
Municipal & Planning Law

Municipal & Planning Law

We help clients work with municipalities and regulators across Canada, combining strong relationships and legal know-how to simplify complex approvals and move projects forward.
Andrew L. Jeanrie
Andrew L. Jeanrie
Proptech

Proptech

We help proptech clients navigate real estate, technology and finance with clear, practical legal solutions.
Natalia E. IamundoMichelle F. YungMatthew FlynnJ. Sébastien A. Gittens
Natalia E. Iamundo, Michelle F. Yung, Matthew Flynn & J. Sébastien A. Gittens

At the centre of market-shaping deals and high-stakes disputes, Bennett Jones delivers clarity, strategy and results. Our cross-border teams turn complexity into progress, always focused on what drives your success.

Cameron Alixe

Alixe A.L. Cameron

Partner  •   Co-Head of Commercial Real Estate Practice

Helmstadter Jane

Jane C. Helmstadter

Partner  •   Co-Head of Commercial Real Estate Practice

Lewis Mark

Mark V. Lewis

Partner  •   Co-Head of Commercial Real Estate Practice

Your Guide to Legal Solutions: Commercial Real Estate

All the details you need, right at your fingertips. Download our brochure and explore our services.

The Bennett Jones Story

At Bennett Jones, legal solutions are our starting point. What drives us forward is knowing our clients inside and out—their ambitions, obstacles and success metrics.

For more than a century, we have shaped outcomes that matter in business, in law and in the broader Canadian landscape. And our commitment extends beyond legal matters: we invest deeply in the communities in which we live and work.