To contact Mark Blair or Tracey Schofield, email mblair@algoodbody.com or tschofield@algoodbody.com or call 028 9031 4466
CONSISTENTLY ranked at the top of its market by leading international publications, corporate law firm A&L Goodbody is proud to sponsor the Commercial Estate Agent of the Year category in the Belfast Telegraph Property Awards for the third year running.
“The awards present a good opportunity to reflect upon what has been another busy 12 months for our commercial property team,” said Tracey Schofield, property partner at the firm.
“The Belfast office market remains buoyant, particularly in the refurbishment arena, and we continue to act on a wide portfolio of developments, including the £70m Merchant Square development, which will bring over 200,000 sq ft of grade A office space to Belfast.
“Student accommodation schemes are attracting investor attention interest, including foreign direct investment. We are advising on the acquisition and development of a number of schemes in the York Street area of Belfast, which will bring 1,124 managed student bedrooms with communal living to help service demand generated by the new Ulster University campus.”
Head of commercial property Mark Blair added: “Whilst we have seen a decline in big ticket investment sales in the retail space, we continue to act on a steady amount of letting activity across the province this year.
“It has been particularly satisfying to act for Gortalowry Developments on several lettings right on our own doorstep, including to Bob & Berts, Taboo Donuts and the first Tim Hor- tons in Northern Ireland. With the safety zone around Primark still in place, we really need good news stories like this here on Fountain Street.
“The Boulevard in Banbridge also goes from strength to strength. Our client, Lotus Property, and its letting agents are doing a phenomenal job there.
“We have advised on a con- stant stream of lettings, including to Asics, Kurt Geiger, Adidas, Jack Wills, Radley, Guess, Skechers and the Beauty Outlet.
“Residential market activity also continued to increase this year; our plot-sales team has never been busier.
“We represented EuroAuctions on its landmark agreement with one of Northern Ireland’s longest established house builders, Fraser Homes, to deliver over 1,000 homes in the next decade.
“This was a highly complex transaction which necessitated a large, multi-disciplinary team across the Belfast office — a service which has become increasingly important for clients.”
As demand for the firm’s commercial property expertise continues to grow, so too must the team, according to Ms Schofield.
“In recent years we’ve grown an exceptional team of highly-skilled lawyers.
“We remain committed to growing this team in response to client demand and are actively recruiting commercial property lawyers at senior and junior levels,” she said.
Mr Blair concluded: “We witness every day the huge efforts of our local commercial property agents and we directly benefit from that. On behalf of all at A&L Goodbody, congratulations to each of the finalists in the Commercial Estate Agent of the Year category.”