Department profile
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Real Estate

Canada Guide 2026 : British Columbia

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Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Our Real Estate group in B.C. has substantial experience advising clients on the development, purchase, sale, leasing and financing of major commercial real estate and infrastructure projects.

We represent clients on commercial real estate transactions, including development (rezoning, subdivision, and mixed-use projects), construction financing, joint ventures, acquisitions, commercial leasing, real property, commercial and corporate matters and Aboriginal land issues.

We advise Canadian pension funds on the regulatory and tax regimes governing their real estate investments. We act for some of Canada’s largest pension fund advisors and their pension fund clients on real estate projects across Canada. We also represent many pension funds directly.

Our Real Estate group has a leading development and construction financing practice acting for local and national developers and construction lenders. We act in Canada and internationally on significant infrastructure projects and public-private partnerships including the development of schools, hospitals, highways, bridges, wind and hydroelectric power projects, sporting venues, and water and wastewater systems.

We have expertise in the resort and resource industries. Our lawyers work regularly with provincial crown lands officials on tenure issues for large resort operations and for power and mining industrial projects.

We are frequently engaged on matters relating to the financing and development of cannabis projects.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Real Estate - British Columbia

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

This well-respected national law firm has a strong presence in the BC real estate market. Blake, Cassels & Graydon represents pension funds, banks and institutional investors in construction financing and real estate development transactions, as well as advising on related regulatory and zoning matters. The firm is also acknowledged for its handling of co-ownership, purchase and sale agreements. The commercial real estate group often acts on transactions relating to retail and office space, as well as senior housing and resort operations. Its notable client base also includes infrastructure developers and renewable energy companies.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Blakes advised Deloitte Restructuring in their role as the receiver of the Harlo-Thurlow Street Project, a downtown commercial development in Vancouver.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The lawyers deeply understand and appreciate the business side of a transaction.

    Real Estate respondentCanada

  • The team is responsive and quick to turn things around.

    Real Estate respondentCanada

  • The Blakes team brings a wealth of experience and is a large and efficient organisation that can take on complex issues and handle large files.

    Real Estate respondentCanada

  • Blakes proactively considers potential challenges and provides creative thoughtful solutions to negotiating sticking points.

    Real Estate respondentCanada

  • Blakes has a full roster of experts to deal with any issue that may arise.

    Real Estate respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Jeffrey Merrick
    Jeffrey Merrick

    Jeffrey Merrick

    Jeffrey Merrick is the managing partner of the firm's Vancouver office, and boasts an impressive stable of clients, including pension and private equity funds. He displays comprehensive knowledge of real estate matters concerning infrastructure developments. His market-leading practice also comprises transactions, financings and leasing of all manner of real estate projects.

    • He can manage complex, technical matters – often specialised issues that few lawyers can manage.

      Real Estate respondentCanada

    • He helps you to review issues with the bigger picture in mind as well.

      Real Estate respondentCanada

    • Jeff is a wonderful lawyer that is well experienced and knowledgeable in the real estate industry as a whole, in addition to his broad legal know-how.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
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  • Greg Umbach
    Greg Umbach

    Greg Umbach

    Greg Umbach capably assists with transactions across residential, commercial, industrial and hospitality developments in BC. His client roster comprises lenders, borrowers and developers. He also has knowledge of subdivisions and municipal approval processes.

    • He has a very broad skill set, he is practical and easy to work with.

      Real Estate respondentCanada

    • He is easy to work with, provides sound legal advice and is very responsive.

      Real Estate respondentCanada

    • He is rational, realistic and is consistently trusted with complex transactions.

      Real Estate respondentCanada

    • His client service is excellent.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
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  • Graham Fulton
    Graham Fulton

    Graham Fulton

    Graham Fulton adeptly advises on real estate transactions and financings, including acquisitions and joint ventures, notably in relation to industrial, logistics and residential assets.

    • We have relied on Graham to give sound advice and tackle complex legal issues time and time again.

      Real Estate respondentCanada

    • Graham is responsive to clients' needs, provides sound legal advice while also recognising the commercial realities.

      Real Estate respondentCanada

    • He is a very strong lawyer and he manages transactions with an aptitude and strength that is beyond his years as a lawyer.

      Real Estate respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (3)

British Columbia

Members

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

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