Firms To Watch: Real estate and construction

James Clark joined Kirkland & Ellis International Law Firm LLPC in October 2023 from King & Spalding LLP; he is proficient in advising on commercial real estate developments, financing, investment and operations as well as assisting with logistics, office and retail assets.

Real estate and construction in Saudi Arabia

AS&H Clifford Chance

AS&H Clifford Chance is one of the go-to firms for large developers and financiers in Saudi Arabia. Notably, the firm is advising the Qiddiya Investment Company on the Six Flag Qiddiya mega project, while also advising the Public Investment Fund and King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Co. on sales of offices in the King Abdullah Financial District. The practice is led by Majid Al-Sheikh, who is experienced in a broad range of real estate and construction matters in Saudi Arabia.

Responsables de la pratique:

Majid Al-Sheikh


Les références

‘Client service, efficiency, business acumen, depth of knowledge.’

Principaux clients

Public Investment Fund


Red Sea Global


Amaala


King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Co.


Royal Commission of Al-Ula


Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC)


Jeddah Central Development Company (JCDC)


Diriyah Gate Company Ltd (DGCL)


Al-Wadi Development Company


Al-Soudah Development Company


Jadwa Investment


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised King Abdullah Financial District Management and Development Co. (KAFD) on a number of construction and real estate matters, including development of all of its construction and real estate templates, the sales of offices, heads of terms, term sheets, leases, building codes and MOUs, utility agreements as well as monorail contracts and district cooling PPP.
  • Advised Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) on a number of construction and real estate matters, as well as on regulations, agreements, acquisitions, SLAs, sponsorships, IP matters and MOUs.
  • Advised Jadwa Investment on the sale of a large plot of developed land from a fund managed by Jadwa Investment to a fund managed by Al-Rajhi Capital.

Legal Advisors, Abdulaziz I. Al-Ajlan & Partners in association with Baker & McKenzie Limited

Legal Advisors, Abdulaziz I. Al-Ajlan & Partners in association with Baker & McKenzie Limited is a market leader in both real estate and construction matters. The real estate practice specialises in hotels and general real estate work. Khaled Zowayed, who rejoined the firm in 2023 from an in-house position, is the co-head of the firm's real estate and hospitality practice in the Middle East. Gavin Witcombe leads on the construction side.

Responsables de la pratique:

Khaled Zowayed; Gavin Witcombe


Les références

‘Excellent local knowledge, presence, and depth of work.’

‘Quick on the uptake, understanding and knowledgeable ’

‘The team of real estate and hospitality are considered one of the best in the market. They understand the practice and the team always do their best to meet the challenging timeline of the projects.’

Principaux clients

Alinma Investment Company


ROSHN


Rua Al Madinah Holding Company


Arcapita


Apple Inc


MiSK City Company


State Property General Authority


Thakher Development Company


Sela Sport Company


Sidra Capital


Royal Commission for AlUla


Boutique Collection Company


Diriyah Gate Development Authority


Olayan Financing Company


Majid Al Futtaim Properties


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising ROSHN on a number of its major residential real estate developments in Riyadh and Jeddah, on all aspects of the development, master planning, subdivision, development, construction and sale of its real estate projects.
  • Acting for Alinma Investment Company on the sale of the assets of the Alinma Makkah Real Estate Fund, comprising three hotels and two shopping malls, to Jabal Omar Development Company in consideration for new shares (by way of rights issue) in Jabal Omar Development Company, a publicly listed company on Tadawul.
  • Advising MiSK City on the development of a residential precinct, hotel and conference centre in Riyadh.

Al Tamimi & Company

Al Tamimi & Company handles construction and real estate matters for an impressive client base of both local and international companies. Euan Lloyd heads the construction and infrastructure practice and Andrew Thompson heads the real estate team. Both practice heads split their time between Saudi Arabia and UAE. On the construction side, the group advises on O&M agreements, EPC contracts, and construction-related disputes. Its real estate workload includes assisting with leases, transactions and hotel management.

Responsables de la pratique:

Andrew Thomson; Euan Lloyd


Les références

‘A highly capable company, with a highly professional team. ’

‘Euan Lloyd is a great partner to work with, forthcoming, quick responses, always comes back to us, great results and fair.’

‘Euan Lloyd was one of the best lawyers that we have dealt with.’

Principaux clients

Osool Real Estate


Tadawul


Majid Al Futtaim


Umm Al Qura


Knowledge Economic City


Heatherwick Studio


ROSHN


Sinoma


Technicas


Saudi Downtown Company


HSBC Bank Middle East Limited


PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)


RKM Durar Properties LLC


Principaux dossiers


  • Engaged by Osool Real Estate to advise on completion strategy and drafted a series of contracts in respect of the DC2 Mega Project in Riyadh, KSA
  • Engaged by Knowledge Economic City to draft, negotiate and to bring to financial close a district cooling concession agreement for the provision of district cooling services for a major project that is under construction in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
  • Assisting Simona with an EPC project to construct an industrial facility in Saudi Arabia.

White & Case

The team at White & Case specialises in advising on large-scale project development work for the Saudi Arabian government. Michael Turrini heads the practice from Dubai. In March 2023, Karim Mariey relocated from the firm's London office and divides his time between Riyadh and Dubai.

Responsables de la pratique:

Michael Turrini; Karim Mariey


Clyde & Co LLP

Clyde & Co LLP is well known in Saudi Arabia for construction and real estate advice. Ben Cowling, head of the construction practice, handles transactional matters and construction disputes. Peter Greatrex, head of the real estate and hospitality practice, is based in Dubai and leads on real estate joint ventures and real estate investments.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ben Cowling; Peter Greatrex


Les références

‘Good mix of local and international expertise.’

Principaux clients

Royal Commission of Al Ula (RCU)


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Royal Commission of Al Ula (RCU) on the construction of the Sharaan Resort, including drafting, negotiating, and advising on the managing contractor contract.

Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni

Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni acts for high-profile private clients and private companies in real estate matters, including on land leases, urban development, and real estate developments. The team is led by Yousef Husiki and includes Emad Zahrani, who is the key contact on many of the firm’s significant real estate cases.

Responsables de la pratique:

Yousef Husiki


Autres avocats clés:

Emad Zahrani