Madgwicks’ Property team advises developers, investors, financiers, landlords and tenants on every stage of the property lifecycle – from acquisition and funding through to leasing, development and dispute resolution.

We regularly advise on:

Transaction Support

• Acquisition and sale of major commercial assets including shopping centres, office buildings, industrial property, retirement villages, aged care facilities, hotels and serviced apartment complexes.
• Acquisition and sale of premium residential and rural properties.
• Contract negotiations for freehold and leasehold titles.
• High-volume conveyancing for large-scale developments, settlements, and discharges.
• Structuring acquisitions for private investors, property trusts, syndicates and managed investment schemes.
• Advising on syndicates, joint ventures and investment structures, including tax considerations (GST, CGT and stamp duty).
  

Leasing Advisory

• Due diligence, negotiation and documentation for commercial (including retail) and industrial leasing.
• Drafting agreements to lease, sale-and-leaseback arrangements, subleases and licences.
• Advising across retail, office, industrial, specialist residential and hospitality sectors.
• Alternative dispute resolution for landlords and tenants, including lease termination advice.
  

Property Finance and Funding

• Structuring and reviewing financing arrangements and specialised securities agreements.
• Drafting facility documentation, construction finance, mezzanine funding and intercreditor deeds.
• Preparing property trust documentation and information memorandums.
• Advising on tax issues including GST, land tax, stamp duty and windfall gains tax.
• Structuring funding for build-to-rent developments and related holding structures.
  

Greenfield and Built Form Development

• Legal support from pre-acquisition through to practical completion.
• Drafting development management and construction agreements for complex projects.
• Structuring and documenting joint ventures, syndicates and investment vehicles.
• Advising on land subdivision, mixed-use and large-scale residential developments.
  

Industrial and Commercial Development

• Site acquisition and sales: due diligence, contracts and settlements.
• Planning and approvals: zoning, permits and negotiations with councils and regulators.
• Environmental compliance: assessments, remediation and regulatory obligations.
• Project structuring and finance: joint ventures, investment vehicles, and loan arrangements.
• Construction contracts: drafting and negotiation (built form and civil works).
• Leasing and pre-leasing (Agreements for Lease).
• Tax and duty advice: GST, stamp duty and land tax implications.
  

Property and Leasing Disputes

Working in partnership with Madgwicks’ Dispute Resolution and Litigation team, we provide pragmatic and cost-effective advice to resolve property-related disputes quickly and with minimal disruption to business.

Compulsory Acquisition

Compulsory acquisition by Government and statutory authorities is an inevitable part of delivering essential infrastructure. Whether for major projects or local developments, the impact on landowners, tenants and businesses can be significant.

Madgwicks acts for those affected by compulsory acquisition. We do not act for acquiring authorities, ensuring our advice is independent and focused solely on protecting your position and maximising your entitlement. View more

Experience Highlights

Transactions

• Acting for the vendor on the sale of a regional shopping centre with three national anchor tenants.
• Managing the sale of Westwaters Hotel and Entertainment Complex, Victoria’s second-largest gambling venue after Crown Casino.
• Acting on the multi-million dollar sale and settlement of a regional retirement village and business holdings.
  

Leasing

• Acting for the developer and landowner of a major hardware retailer on their first multi-storey inner-city development.
• Providing ongoing leasing and dispute resolution advice to commercial and retail landlords and blue-chip tenants across Australia.
  

Finance and Funding

• Acting for a lender on a complex construction facility for an apartment development.
• Advising a major Asian development group on the acquisition of Melbourne hotels and serviced apartments.
• Acting for a bank on the financing of a major Geelong land development involving multiple cross-collateralised loan agreements and tripartite arrangements.
  

Greenfield and Built Form Development

• Managing the legal requirements for a 1,200-lot development west of Melbourne, including contracts, authority dealings, civil works, refinancing, plans of subdivision, settlements and multi-lender arrangements.
• Preparing contracts and handling off-the-plan settlements for major Southbank mixed-use developments (400+ apartments) and several other mid-to-large residential projects.

Compulsory Acquistion

• Barwon Heads Road upgrade (Freehold and Tenancy compensation claims)
• Plenty Road Upgrade (Stage 2)
• Bridge Inn Road Upgrade
• Clyde North, Establishment of School Acquisition
• North East Link Project
• Melbourne Metro Tunnel
• Darebin Creek Bike Trail upgrade