Our Property Department is recognised as outstanding in Ireland and is consistently rated as a tier 1 practice by leading legal directories.  This innovative and hugely experienced team has been heavily involved in the majority of landmark real estate transactions in Ireland in recent years.  Our clients include large institutional investors, international private equity funds, receivers, public and local authorities, developers and major Irish, UK and US retailers.  Our lawyers have detailed knowledge of the Irish property market and keep constantly up to date with evolving trends.  The firm maintains close contact with the leading intermediaries in the market and is a regular sponsor and contributor to property industry events in Ireland.  We pride ourselves on our commercial, robust and pragmatic advice with its constant aim of bringing projects to successful conclusions.

Areas of expertise include:

• Acquisition and disposal
• Planning and environmental issues           
• Construction
• Financing
• Joint ventures and ownership structures
• Tax
• Management structures
• Landlord and tenant issues
• Sale and leasebacks
• Qualifying investor funds
• Loan portfolio acquisition and disposal

Our team has been heavily involved in most of the high profile property investment transactions in recent years.  We have amassed significant expertise in distressed real estate transactions, both direct investment and indirectly through loan portfolio acquisition.  In tandem with our Asset Management Group, we are experienced in the tax efficient structuring of investment through the use of property QIFs.

We have a particularly strong knowledge and reputation in the retail and leisure sectors.  We also have substantial expertise in property joint venture arrangements.  In addition, we have acted in more than forty sale and leaseback transactions in the past three years.

Our recent experience includes:

    Real estate investment transactions in 2012 exceeding €200million in value representing -

• Kennedy Wilson on the acquisition of Alliance Gasworks Building, Dublin 4 (multifamily). Sandford Lodge, Dublin 6 (multifamily) and Brooklawn House, Dublin 4 (office building).
• Aviva Investors on the sale of 4 office blocks in AIB Bankcentre HQ, Dublin 4.
• OCS Investment Holdings a subsidiary of Gordon Brothers on the acquisition of the iconic Clerys department store building, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1.
• F&C Reit Asset Management on the sale of St. Martins House, Dublin 4 (office development).
• NAMA Receiver on the sale of Smurfit Kappa HQ office building, Dublin 4.
• Receiver on sale of Aldi store investment Sandyford, Dublin 18.

    Other significant recent real estate work includes advising -

• Private equity fund and banking consortium on the acquisition of Project Prince loan book (with par value in excess of €360 million) from Lloyds Bank Plc.
• Bank of Ireland on the exercise of its break option to surrender its former 200,000 square foot headquarters at Baggot Street, Dublin 4.
• Biomarin Inc on its US$48m purchase of biotechnology facility in Ringaskiddy, Cork.
• Receiver on the €12m sale of Bewleys Hotel, Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2.
• Retail store acquisition for a significant number of international retailers with operations in Ireland including Tesco, Boots, IKEA and Poundland/Dealz.

We are consistently ranked as one of the leading Commercial Property law firms in Ireland.

Department

Sources say: “The firm is a go-to for big questions. The team has great expertise, and reflects on what the problem really is: they don't just think like lawyers.”
Chambers Europe, 2013 - Real Estate

'Peers acknowledge this practice to be among the market heavyweights'.
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Real Estate

William Fry’s team is at ‘a different level to other firms’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - Real Estate

The highly thought of Andrew Muckian leads the team at William Fry, which is 'immensely strong technically’, but ‘also has a pragmatism and commerciality that is valuable’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2011 - Real Estate

William Fry is singled out for its ‘enthusiastic commitment to any project undertaken’.
Legal 500 EMEA 2010 – Real Estate

William Fry has a fantastic reputation in real estate, especially for its work on behalf of developers and its activity within the retail sector. The team acted on some of the most significant development projects in Ireland over the past twelve months, and sources describe it as “first-class when it comes to getting things done within the property sector.” Clients appreciate the firm's one-stop shop approach, combining expertise in finance, tax and contentious matters: “It can advise on a wide range of issues, which is incredibly helpful to us.”
Chambers Europe 2010 - Real Estate

Team

Andrew Muckian
Andrew Muckian is described as "unflappable and practical, and will highlight risks without labouring the point."
Chambers Europe, 2013 - Real Estate

Lead partner Andrew Muckian is admired across the market.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2013 - Real Estate

'Sources credit Andrew Muckian as the driving force behind the practice'.
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Real Estate

Practice head Andrew Muckian is widely praised for his ‘overall knowledge and attention to detail’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - Real Estate

'Andrew Muckian is viewed as one of the key reasons for the team's success'.
Chambers Europe, 2011 - Real Estate

‘Market leader’ Andrew Muckian is respected for ‘getting the job done with no fuss’.
Legal 500 EMEA 2010 – Real Estate

The team is led by Andrew Muckian, a lawyer in whom clients place “absolute faith – he fully understands what we want to accomplish, works very hard, and takes on the responsibility of getting it done.”
Chambers Europe 2010 - Real Estate

Edward Spain
Edward Spain is considered “excellent. You can shoot a query at him and he will get back quickly.”
Chambers Europe, 2013 - Real Estate

Edward Spain is ‘very good at plotting a road map’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2013 - Real Estate

Edward Spain is considered to be 'able and practical with a fantastic legal brain. His clients have justifiable confidence in him.'
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Real Estate

Edward Spain is described as 'a strong negotiator who is unwavering in his adherence to the client's wishes.'
Chambers Europe, 2011 - Real Estate

'Edward Spain has a strong reputation in the field.'
Legal 500 EMEA 2010 – Real Estate

'all-round property expert Edward Spain.'
Chambers Europe 2010 - Real Estate

Nora White
Nora White is regarded as a 'top operator who knows the law backwards.'
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Real Estate

Nora White is 'very well regarded by sources for her work on major developments and is particularly strong in the retail industry'.
Chambers Europe, 2011 - Real Estate

'Nora White has a strong reputation in the field'.
Legal 500 EMEA 2010 – Real Estate

'A strong negotiator who takes a genuine interest in her clients’ business.'
Chambers Europe 2010 - Real Estate

Brian O'Callaghan
According to clients, Brian O'Callaghan is “fantastic, with a great understanding of business.”
Chambers Europe, 2013 - Real Estate

Brian O'Callaghan  is a favourite among clients who praise him as 'in tune with the nuances of the law and up to date with the dynamics of the Irish property market'.
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Real Estate

'Brian O'Callaghan is recognised as an emerging market figure who is equally comfortable tackling contentious and non-contentious matters'.
Chambers Europe, 2011 - Real Estate

'Brian O'Callaghan is recommended for his expertise in the retail sector.'
Chambers Europe 2010 - Real Estate

Brian O'Callaghan works on a range of property matters, and has carved a niche in work regarding shopping centre and sports stadiums development.

Patricia Kenny
Patricia Kenny is ‘precise’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2013 - Real Estate

Karen Sheil
Karen Sheil is desribed as “committed, dedicated and hard-working."
Chambers Europe, 2013 - Real Estate