Ownership structuring, tax considerations and transaction due diligence play a key role in the successful and timely execution of property transactions. Through the provision of commercially astute solutions to such issues, Freehills continues to be at the forefront of acquisitions and disposals of real estate assets.

Freehills has advised on some of the largest and most innovative property deals in the Australian market in recent years. We offer a range of legal and strategic services including:

• single and multi-property assets acquisitions and sales
• corporate property portfolio divestments
• listed and unlisted property trust takeovers and mergers
• shopping centre acquisitions
• hotel and leisure facility acquisitions and disposals.

We have also advised clients including QIC and Lend Lease on property investment in the UK, Singapore and the US.

The following are some examples of recent experience:

Ipswich City Heart Commercial Tower, Queensland

Adviser to Leighton Properties on the A$93 million sale of a proposed office tower in Ipswich. The sale marked the largest ever office sale transaction in Queensland outside of Brisbane.  The tower is being developed as part of the $1billion Ipswich City Heart revitalisation project and was sold after securing the Queensland Government as an anchor tenant in September.

HQ North Tower – Fortitude Valley, Queensland

Adviser to Leighton Properties on the A$186 million sale of HQ North Tower in Fortitude Valley to Cromwell Property Group.

Growthpoint Properties Australia, Queensland

Adviser to Growthpoint in relation the acquisition of Queensland office and industrial properties valued at A$170 million.

Gardentown Shopping Centre, Toowoomba

Adviser to QIC in connection with the purchase of the Gardentown Shopping Centre, Toowoomba.

1 York Street, Sydney

Adviser to Colonial First State on the sale of 1 York Street, Sydney to the HNA Group.

20 Martin Place, Sydney

Adviser to ANZ on the recently completed sale and leaseback of its current Sydney head office at 20 Martin Place. The 21-level commercial building sold for approximately A$95 million to Pembroke Real Estate.

469 La Trobe Street, Melbourne

Adviser to CIMB TrustCapital Australian Office Fund Number 1 LP on its A$84 million acquisition of 469 La Trobe Street, Melbourne from Investa. The property is a 19-level A grade property in the heart of Melbourne’s legal precinct, consisting of predominantly commercial office space.

Forestry plantations, Australia

Adviser to Gunns in its due diligence and acquisition of the Great Southern Leasehold Forestry assets comprising over 250,000 hectares of forestry plantations throughout Australia.

Colonial First State, Perth

Adviser to the Commonwealth First State Commercial Property Trust and its manager, Colonial First State Global Asset Management on the sale of the 197 St Georges Terrace, 1 Mill and 5 Mill Street Perth for A$152 million—the largest property transaction contracted in WA during the last 18 months.

Residential portfolio, Western Australia & Queensland

Adviser to Brookfield Australia on the sale of their residential projects in WA and QLD to Stockland.