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 and private investors, 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 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
- Property litigation
We have a particularly strong knowledge and reputation in the retail and leisure sectors and in the area of tax-based property development. We have also 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.
The contentious issues side of our work is increasingly important, and we have established a dedicated property litigation unit staffed by experienced property lawyers.
Our recent experience includes:
Biomarin Inc on its US$48m purchase of biotechnology facility in Ringaskiddy, Cork.
The Receiver of Thedforde Limited on the €12m sale of Bewleys Hotel, Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2.
Tesco Ireland on the €7m sale of its distribution facility to Amazon.
Helix Healthcare on its lease of HQ building at Citywest Business Park.
Moss Bros, ASICS, on its new major store lettings.
Fingal County Council in a number of compulsory purchases totalling excess €15m.
State Street on the lease of a block in Iveagh Court to the Central Bank and surrender of State Street interest back to landlord.
Jacobs on the lease of storage unit to Lidl (at circa 105,000 sq ft reported as the largest industrial letting of the year when it completed in March 2011).
Point Village on one of the largest single mixed use developments undertaken in Ireland and located in Dublin docklands.
The Purchasers of the Pavilions Shopping Centre, Swords in the single largest property investment transaction in Ireland’s history.
Allied Irish Banks plc on the sale and leaseback of over 40 bank branches in the last three years.
UPMC on the acquisition of a majority stake in the Beacon Hospital development, which involved a significant restructuring of the property arrangements.
IKEA and Gap on the procurement of their first stores in the Republic of Ireland.
We are consistently ranked as one of the leading Commercial Property law firms in Ireland.
Department
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
William Fry boasts lawyers of ‘the highest calibre’, according to clients.
Legal 500 EMEA 2009 – Real Estate
According to commentators, this group has reinforced its position as a market leader in real estate: “It's a thorough, assured service filled with fantastic individuals,” says one. Working closely with the projects and finance teams, it provides “top-quality advice, sound judgement and commerciality.”
Chambers Europe 2009 – Real Estate
Team
Andrew Muckian
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
Clients single out Andrew Muckian as 'one of the top four property lawyers in Dublin'.
Legal 500 EMEA 2009 – Real Estate
Andrew Muckian is “an excellent operator who isn’t fazed by anything,” say clients. The head of the commercial property team, he works on matters right across the development and financing spectrum.
Chambers Europe 2009 – Real Estate
Edward Spain
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
Edward Spain is in high demand for his work in acquisitions, disposals and lending. 'He’s incredibly focused on the result and his work is exceptional.'
Chambers Europe 2009 – Real Estate
Nora White
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
Nora White leads on much of the team’s retail work. “She’s immensely experienced with international retailers and is excellent on lease negotiations,” said one observer.
Chambers Europe 2009 – Real Estate
Brian O'Callaghan
'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.