Real estate and construction

Stibbe

Stibbe is ‘unique in its depth of expertise, responsiveness and creativity in handling complex high-stake real estate transactions’. It remains a key player in the market’s biggest deals. Practice head and ‘trusted adviser’ Matthias Maselis handles commercial real estate transactions and developments in Belgium and Luxembourg. Partners Rudy Nauwelaerts, who frequently acts for insurers, project developers, retailers, public bodies and REITs, and senior associate Anneleen Quirynen ‘combining all skills for a pragmatic and business-oriented result’. Rony Vermeersch is the standout partner for construction and energy matters, including PPP projects.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘This practice is unique in its depth of expertise, responsiveness and creativity in handling complex high-stake real estate transactions. They have been proactive in identifying and resolving potential issues, they deliver exceptional quality within tight deadlines and they understand what matters for an institutional investor.’
‘Matthias Maselis is our trusted adviser in Belgium and Luxembourg for over 10 years. He is experienced in complex and high-value transactions, very hands-on and knows every aspect of a deal. He is one of the few lawyers that also fully understands the underlying strategic and commercial considerations at play and really adds value at the negotiation table.’
‘The team acts as a business partner, meaning that it understands the business and focuses on pragmatic approach, finding easy to implement solutions to sometimes complex questions.’
‘Anneleen Quirynen and Rudy Nauwelaerts make a great duo, combining all skills for a pragmatic and business-oriented result.’
‘Professional, accessible, commercial (thinking with the client and business) team with a high knowledge of the real estate market/sector.’
‘Providing tailor-made advice taking the requirements of the client into consideration. ’
'I have worked with the real estate practice at Stibbe for several years, and I can confidently say that they are for us the number one on the Belgian market. They have successfully advised and represented us on some complex and challenging high profile acquisitions, and are currently advising us on a major real estate litigation file related to one a tower we acquired in Brussels. They have a deep understanding of what matters for an institutional investor and are able to combine that with technical excellence, responsiveness and healthy dose of pragmatism.'
'Matthias Maselis is an exceptional real estate lawyer, who we value as our trusted partner in Belgium and Luxembourg. He is technically strong, responsive, pragmatic, creative and has a good sense of humor. He is supported by a strong and engaged team that is willing to go the extra mile, whereby Elmo is certainly one to watch.'

Work highlights

Advising RE Invest Belgium SA, an entity fully controlled by one of Brookfield's real estate private funds, on the all-cash voluntary public takeover offer for all outstanding shares in the stock-listed real estate company Befimmo SA and the subsequent restructuring of Befimmo SA.
Assisting 'Schoolkracht', a private consortium consisting of pppconnect (PMV entity) and AG Real Estate on the realisation of three programs of the new Schools building programme in Flanders.
Assisting DigitalBridge, a US based REIT, on the acquisition of Telenet's mobile telecommunications tower business (3,000+ assets). Telenet Group Holding SA/NV is the Belgium based holding group involved in telecommunications, Internet services, cable television and electronic entertainment.

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