Property

Our experts are known for their breadth and depth of knowledge in commercial, industrial, retail and residential property related matters.

Recommended in Asia Pacific Legal 500 2010, we advise across a broad spectrum of property issues including: land identification and acquisition, environmental issues such as site contamination and remediation, securing approvals, risk allocation, construction and development agreements, property joint ventures, consultant appointments, leasing, management and disposal.

Our approach

Henry Davis York's commercial and practical approach to addressing issues from the inception of a project right through to its completion and ongoing management makes us the preferred provider of legal services to the property sector.

Our contribution extends beyond the technical aspects of our work. We partner with clients, maintain regular communication on matters and support their business objectives whether they are actively investing or retaining and managing property.

Building Sustainability

There is a growing spotlight on sustainability. We have advised public and private sector clients on sustainable development and related initiatives such as green leasing and green-star ratings.

Property Investment

We provide legal advice to private investors, financial institutions and fund managers on their property portfolios which includes due diligence, sales and acquisitions, leasing, building services agreements, planning and subdivision and ancillary arrangements.

What the market says

"Shane Martins heads Sydney-based Henry Davis York's property, environment and projects department, which provides "good value-for-money in partnership input you might not get elsewhere".
Asia Pacific Legal 500

"The HDY team consistently provides exceptional client focused service - we value their innovative and commercial approach to our legal challenges across our diverse property portfolio."
Antony Karp, Group General Manager, Retail Development, David Jones Limited

We advise private investors, fund managers, banks and insolvency professionals, large corporations and government agencies on every legal aspect of their property interests from feasibility, planning, acquisition, development and leasing, through to disposal.

Our property expertise includes:

• acquisition and disposal of properties including due diligence
• tendering and related processes such as expressions of interest
• land subdivision including stratum, strata and community development schemes
• co-ownership and joint venture agreements
• leasing and property management issues
• projects and infrastructure
• property development and construction
• property workouts and sales of distressed assets
• structured property transactions
• advising on valuation issues.

Rouse Hill Town Centre Expansion

We are acting for a listed property group in connection with its proposed large-scale expansion of the Rouse Hill Town Centre. This is an extremely complex deal incorporating ecologically sustainable principles and involving multiple parties including the New South Wales State Government and Lend Lease.

2 Elizabeth Plaza, North Sydney

In another significant North Sydney transaction, we acted for Becton in the sale of this property (an "A" grade office building) for approximately $38 million.The transaction involved an option structure with added complexities due to the syndicated nature of the purchaser and the stringent requirements of the incoming and outgoing financiers.

50 Berry Street, North Sydney

We acted for one of Australia's largest fund managers in the sale of its property at 50 Berry Street, North Sydney. The sale price was $30 million. 50 Berry Street is the third North Sydney commercial office tower sale we have acted on for this fund manager in the last two years. The combined sale price for the three properties well exceeds $100 million.

Redbank Plains, Queensland

We acted for an Australian Bank in the mortgagee sale of a large residential landholding at Redbank Plains, Queensland to the Devine Group for in excess of $25 million.

ABC Learning Centres

We advised the receivers of ABC Learning Centres Receivership on the multi-jurisdictional disposal of freehold and leasehold properties which involved over 700 sites.

Sydney Ports Corporation

We advised Sydney Ports Corporation on its tender documentation (including the forms of agreement for lease and lease for the intermodal terminal, warehousing and empty container storage areas) at its 59 hectare site at Enfield intended for use as an integrated intermodal logistics centre.

52 Alfred Street

We acted for the managed investments arm of a leading Australian bank in its disposal of the property at 52 Alfred Street, Milsons Point (an "A" grade office building) for $51 million. This project involved establishment of an electronic due diligence data room, preparation, negotiation and advice for the sale documentation and the novation documentation with the tenants of the building including the principal tenant, health products group, Kimberly-Clark. The transaction was one of the largest Sydney North Shore office disposals and one of the largest of its kind during the global financial crisis.

Wind Farm - Broken Hill

We advised the Crown leaseholders on the Silverton Wind Farm development which, when constructed, will operate 598 wind turbines and will have a potential capacity to produce more than 1,000MW. The wind farm will be the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. We helped our clients negotiate the best possible compensation package and minimise the impact of the wind farm on their ongoing use of the land.