Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: Real estate: local firms

Ashurst LLP's practice is noteworthy for its expertise in real estate-related M&A deals and investments. Yi Ming Choo and Xiaozheng Ko co-head the department, in which Tao Koon Chiam is a key name.

Real estate: local firms in Singapore

Allen & Gledhill LLP

Allen & Gledhill LLP's well-respected real estate practice garners praise for its ‘depth of experience and quality of work’. The group has an excellent track record for appearing on some of the most prominent real estate deals in Singapore, and has a strong reputation for advising on M&A deals, divestments, joint ventures, sales, and leasing. The team is especially well-placed to advise on REITs. The client base includes commercial and industrial investors, property funds, and developers. Real estate and construction expert Ho Kin San co-heads the department with Eudora Tan, who has considerable expertise in direct and indirect property acquisitions and divestments. Other key practitioners include Fock Kah Yan, Tan Boon Wah, and Lim Mei Ann.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ho Kin San; Eudora Tan


Autres avocats clés:

Lim Xiu Hui; Fock Kah Yan; Tan Boon Wah; Lim Mei Ann


Les références

‘The team were easily contactable and they go the extra mile to make sure their clients are happy.’

‘Tan Boon Wah was very professional and able to provide clear, sufficient advice.’

‘The team is very experienced and knowledgeable, as well as very responsive and provide an excellent level of service.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Singapore Telecommunications on the redevelopment of its Comcentre headquarters via a joint venture with global integrated real estate group Lendlease, involving a S$3 billion sustainable development.
  • Advised Mercatus Co-operative Limited on the divestment of Jurong Point @ Swing By at Thomson Plaza.
  • Advised Sun Venture Homes Pte. Ltd. on the divestment of Westgate Towers.

Dentons Rodyk

At Dentons Rodyk, the corporate real estate team 'is able to render a full service across the full range of real estate work'. The group fields expertise in advising on commercial, retail, residential, shipping, industrial and logistics work in the space, and is strong in handling both contentious and non-contentious mandates. Key areas of instruction for the group include large-scale acquisitions, cross-border bids, financings, and development matters. The practice is led by the triumvirate of Pat Lynn Leong, Liat Yeang Lee, and Melanie Lim; Lim specialises in land rights and leasing issues. Collective sales matters are prominent in Woon Ee Tang's workload, and Lynette Khoo is a key name for cross-border real estate transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Pat Lynn Leong; Melanie Lim; Liat Yeang Lee


Autres avocats clés:

Woon Ee Tang; Lynette Khoo


Les références

‘Good regional capabilities, ease of billing, great communication.’

‘Lynette Khoo – commercial, insightful, on-the ball and highly efficient. A star we could not do without.’

‘Denton’s corporate real estate team is able to render a full service across the full range of real estate work, acquisition, dispositions, financing, landlord-tenancy etc. It is a very established law firm with a broad spectrum of experienced attorneys.’

Principaux clients

Bideford House Pte Ltd (joint venture of BP-Real Estate Investment, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boustead Projects Ltd)


SilkRoad Property Partners


PGIM Real Estate


City Developments Limited


Chevron Singapore Pte. Ltd.


Sim Lian Land and Sim Lian Development (Sim Lian JV (Dairy Farm) Pte Ltd)) / DBS Bank Ltd


KC Industries Pte Ltd


Singapore Institute of Management Group (“SIM”)


UOL Property Investments Pte Ltd


Wingcrown Investment Pte Ltd


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting in a SGD$515 million acquisition of 28 and 30 Bideford Road, developing the property as an 18-storey mixed development.
  • Acting for SilkRoad Property Partners in the acquisition of Empire Lofts Pte Ltd, valued at SGD$110 million.
  • Advising PGIM Real Estate on its investment in a joint venture to undertake a built-to-suit redevelopment project, under a sale and leaseback arrangement with POKKA.

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP

The corporate real estate team at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP handles the gamut of real estate matters. The group advises on all aspects of commercial, residential, and mixed developments, and is equally strong in advising on complex real estate transactions, M&A deals, leases, collective sales, and developments and redevelopments. The practice is adept at representing sellers and purchasers, as well as developers, REITs and other public and private entities. Elsa Chai specialises in conveyancing matters, and co-heads the department with Ching Chou, who has considerable expertise in divestments and acquisitions. Practice deputy head Benjamin Tay is 'a seasoned legal adviser in the real estate domain.' Norman Ho and Gazalle Mok are also key names in the group.

Responsables de la pratique:

Elsa Chai; Chou Ching; Benjamin Tay


Autres avocats clés:

Norman Ho; Evelyn Wee; Gazalle Mok


Les références

‘The practice is unique as it has both breadth of experience as well as depth in all sub segments of real estate in Singapore. The team ise highly responsive, particularly in deals that are very time sensitive.’

‘Norman Ho is a go to name for both regular work but particularly for complex and time sensitive matters. He is very responsive and a problem solver. He is backed by Gazelle Mok who imbues the same confidence and responsiveness as Norman.’

‘The team is very experienced in handling real estate transactions. They are very well versed in all the legal issues and familiar with the requirements of the authorities. They also stay up to date on new legal developments and are commercially minded in their approach.’

Principaux clients

Link Real Estate Investment Trust


Lendlease Corporation


VIA IV (BVI) Holdco 8 Ltd


Extra Space Singapore Holdings Pte Ltd


Golden Paramount (BVI) Ltd.


Kheng Leong Company (H.K.) Limited


Nothernone Development Pte. Ltd.


Lucas Real Estate Singapore Pte. Ltd.


Parkway Hospitals Singapore Pte. Ltd


A4 Robinson Gold Pte. Ltd. and A4 Robinson Wealth Pte. Ltd.


ACREF SG 4 Pte. Ltd.


Hillcrest Investments Pte Ltd


UTAC Manufacturing Services Singapore Pte. Ltd.


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising on Link Real Estate Investment Trust’s S$2.161 billion acquisition of suburban retail assets, Jurong Point and Swing By @ Thomson Plaza, from Mercatus Co-operative Limited.
  • Advising on the S$3 billion joint redevelopment of the Singtel Comcentre by Lendlease Corporation and Singtel.
  • Assisting Hywel Investments with the sale of the holding company of the region’s largest self-storage operator, Extra Space Asia, to a consortium comprising APG Asset Management N.V. and CapitaLand Investment Limited.

WongPartnership LLP

WongPartnership LLP‘s corporate real estate practice handles the full spectrum of work across the real estate sector. The ‘technically very strong‘ team assists a solid client base of REITs, developers, and high-net-worth individuals, among others, with the full spectrum of commercial, industrial, and residential property work, and is noted for its established track record in advising on financings, divestments, joint ventures, M&A real estate deals and complex lease matters. The practice is co-headed by Dorothy Marie Ng, ‘a leader in her field‘, who acts for banks and high-net-worth individuals, and corporate expert Monica Yip, who has extensive expertise in property-related transactions. Tan Teck Howe is a key name for regulatory issues. Serene Soh and Angela Lim are key names in the practice.

Responsables de la pratique:

Dorothy Marie Ng; Monica Yip


Autres avocats clés:

Tan Teck Howe; Serene Soh; Angela Lim; Lee Si Min


Les références

‘The practice led by Dorothy Ng is highly proficient and professional in delivering its advice and services. They are very customer-focused and can be counted on to deliver quality work within short notice.’

‘The team is able to pull together resources to ensure that deal milestones and timelines are met. They are collaborative, give sound and studied advice and are willing to take commercial positions to close the gaps.’

‘Vastly experienced in the entire real estate landscape.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for CapitaLand Ascendas REIT Management Limited in an acquisition of a cold storage logistics facility in Singapore via the purchase of A3 SG ETA Pte. from A3 Lux Alpha S.a.r.l for S$191.9 million.
  • Advised Frasers Centrepoint Asset Management and Frasers Property on the joint acquisition of a 50% stake, in Gold Ridge Pte from Mercatus Tres Pte, valued at S$652.5 million.
  • Advising IOI Properties Group on the acquisition of the 1.1ha white site at Central Boulevard.

Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow

The team at Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow has an excellent reputation in the real estate space in Singapore. The group has an established track record in advising on transactions, acquisitions, financings, and leasing, often for clients in the industrial, technology and biopharmaceutical sectors, and is also active in matters spanning several jurisdictions. Infrastructure projects have been particularly prominent in the department's workload. The client base includes multinational companies, developers, and REITs. Practice head Geraldine Ong is a highly regarded practitioner, with over three decades of experience in real estate matters. At associate level, En Lai Tan and Michelle Koh are key names to note.

Responsables de la pratique:

Geraldine Ong


Autres avocats clés:

En Lai Tan; Michelle Koh


Les références

‘The Baker McKenzie real estate team is outstanding, with the resources and knowledge to support us. They are practical, insightful and business oriented. They have an international global reach that is second to none.’

‘Geraldine Ong’s strong subject matter expertise and industry experience shines. She is always sensitive to the smallest of details. I appreciate her breadth and depth of thought and view her as a trusted partner.’

BH2I

BH2I is a key player in the East Asian hospitality and leisure real estate field. The practice maintains a niche focus on transactional work relating to developments in the hospitality sector, including advising on high-value financings, joint venture investments, and sales and acquisitions. Contentious work also features in the team's workload, with the group acting for domestic and international hotels and resorts in litigation. Firm founder Benjamin Hirasawa is the key practitioner.

Responsables de la pratique:

Benjamin Hirasawa


Drew & Napier LLC

Drew & Napier LLC fields a 'competent, responsive, personable and collaborative' real estate team, which is well-known for handling a range of complex transactional work in the space. The group regularly handles high-value M&As, sales, and divestments for major domestic and international developers, REITs, and investment companies. Lau Sok Hiang has an impressive track record in advising on transactional matters concerning residential, commercial and industrial developments; she co-heads the practice with Ho Soo Lih, who focuses on corporate real estate work. April Mak is experienced in handling sales and purchases, leases, and development work.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ho Soo Lih; Lau Sok Hiang


Autres avocats clés:

April Mak


Les références

‘Very knowledgeable team and meticulous in their assessment of the deal.’

‘Drew & Napier LLC has a team of very robust and competent lawyers to handle conveyancing matters. They are thorough and meticulous in their work.’

‘Lau Sok Hiang is very meticulous and careful.’

Principaux clients

CA Indosuez (Switzerland) SA, Singapore Branch


Citibank N.A.


Citibank Singapore Limited


CPF Board


dormakaba Production GmbH & Co. KG.


Far East Organisation


GuocoLand Limited


KOP Group Limited


Lucrum Capital Group


Markham Agro (19 HK) Pte. Ltd.


OCBC


Reignwood Group


Riway (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


Soilbuild Business Space REIT


Soilbuild Construction Group of Companies


UOB


UOL Group Limited


VP Bank Ltd


UBS Singapore


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising a client on the acquisition of a Singaporean national monument, the House of Tan Yeok Nee.
  • Acting for a developer in the sale of units in the residential development project known as AMO Residence.

Kennedys Legal Solutions

The joint law venture firm Kennedys Legal Solutions is an active player in the Singapore real estate scene, with considerable expertise in collective sale transactions. The team has experience in acting for both owners and purchasers, and has been involved in sizeable commercial and residential transactions concerning commercial, residential and mixed-use developments. The group also has strength in advising on disputes, joint ventures, leasing and tenancy matters. Christopher Yong and Patrick Ee co-head the department; Yong assists with a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, and Ee focuses on property and land transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Christopher Yong; Patrick Ee


Les références

‘They are professionally competent – an expert in their field. Very responsive and practical.’

‘Patrick Ee and Christopher Yong work well with our team in several real estate collective sale projects. Their expertise in the subject and their level of service is admirable.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for the owners in the collective sale of the Tanglin Shopping Centre.
  • Advised the owners on the collective sale of Gloria Mansions, a 12-storey residential development in Singapore.
  • Advising the owners on the collective sale of the Sultan Plaza commercial property.

Shook Lin & Bok LLP

Shook Lin & Bok LLP has expertise in a wide range of property matters, and the team continues to be active in commercial, industrial and residential-related instructions; hotels and hospitality work is another core area of strength for the group. The department’s workload includes sizeable transactions and financings, acquisitions, divestments, mergers, and REIT work. The practice is jointly led by Chew Mei Choo and Lee Chau Hwei, both fielding extensive expertise in the real estate space. Tan Woon Hum and Andrea Ng advise on funds- and trusts-related work, as well as REITs.

Responsables de la pratique:

Chew Mei Choo; Lee Chau Hwei


Autres avocats clés:

Andrea Ng; Tan Woon Hum


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Stellar Experience Pte Ltd, in its capacity as the master retail lessee and retail operator of the Singapore Sports Hub and Kallang Wave Mall, in connection with the termination of the Sports Hub PPP project agreement and handover of ownership and management of the Singapore Sports Hub to Kallang Alive Sport Management.
  • Advised a purchaser on the S$128.8 million acquisition of a 32,159 sq ft good class bungalow.
  • Acted for Perpetual (Asia), as trustee of Digital Core REIT, in relation to the REIT’s proposed acquisition of two data centres in Frankfurt and Dallas.

Withers KhattarWong LLP

At Withers KhattarWong LLP, the team regularly acts for institutional investors, property funds, high-net-worth individuals, and developers in cross-border transactions. Residential and commercial property matters are key areas of work for the group, which is equally adept at handling instructions from the industrial and hospitality sectors. The department is very well known for advising on work in relation to self-storage facilities. Kenneth Szeto heads the practice, which is amalgamated with the firm’s banking and finance offering. Tien Gui Koh has an excellent track record in advising on hotels deals.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kenneth Szeto


Autres avocats clés:

Tien Gui Koh