Department profile
Stikeman Elliott LLP

Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use

Canada Guide 2026 : British Columbia


Stikeman Elliott LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Stikeman Elliott LLP

Stikeman Elliott’s national Real Estate Group provides sophisticated but practical real estate expertise and legal advice to real estate investors and key industry players on the acquisition, disposition, municipal land use, development, financing and leasing of all classes of real estate. The Group also has complementary and notable expertise in complex domestic and cross-border transactions involving real estate, major infrastructure projects, agricultural lands, mining rights, aboriginal law and loan securitizations. We are proud to be counsel of choice to those who are leading the transformation of Canada’s real estate sector.

By leveraging our experience and market knowledge, as well as the firm’s world renowned securities and taxation specialists, the Group is able to provide advice to all variety of clients, including non-taxable institutional investors, publicly traded REITs, investment funds, private equity firms and foreign investors. We have particular experience in spin-off, sale/leaseback and other innovative transactions designed to unlock the value of real estate holdings. Clients are effectively guided in the formation of their investment vehicles and joint-ventures, always mindful of tax efficiency and business objectives, whether in connection with their real estate in Canada or internationally. www.stikeman.com  

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use - British Columbia

Spotlight

Spotlight


What the Team is Known For
Stikeman Elliott is highly regarded for the breadth of its real estate experience in BC. It represents public sector authorities and high-profile private developers in infrastructure development, financing and transactional mandates. The real estate group is particularly esteemed for its experience advising on major mixed-use projects and master-planned communities, assisting with land use planning, rezoning, acquisitions, development approvals and construction. Stikeman Elliott is notably involved in luxury hotel transactions and urban property developments, including mandates requiring First Nations expertise.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Stikeman Elliott represented the City of Calgary on all transactions with impacted property owners related to the multibillion dollar Green Line Beltline and Downtown Sub-Surface Integrated Stations Project.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The breadth of the firm is a strength and the local team is diverse in terms of legal fields.

    Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
  • The team understands how to get things done at both the provincial and municipal level.

    Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
  • Stikeman Elliott is a firm who creates deals that are beneficial to all parties involved.

    Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
  • The team has real world experience combined with local, legal expertise.

    Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleRoss MacDonald
    Senior StatespeopleRoss MacDonald

    Ross MacDonald

    Ross MacDonald KC is highly regarded as a leader in the BC real estate market, thanks to his long-standing involvement with landmark developments in the province, particularly in Vancouver. MacDonald has a diverse breadth of expertise, spanning the full gamut of real estate issues from commercial real estate matters to land use issues arising in the course of developments.
    • He really understands the issues and can bring new people up to speed on the matters.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
    • He is very available, he is great.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
    • He is one of the best drafters I know.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
  • Band 1Gregory Plater
    Band 1Gregory Plater

    Gregory Plater

    Gregory Plater is active across Western Canada, dividing his time between the law firm's Calgary and Vancouver offices. Plater's expertise includes assisting with development and transactional matters, in addition to capably advising pension funds and property developers on their real estate investments.

    • He provides great service and advice and is knowledgeable.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
    • He has a really good grasp on a variety of practices. He is a good well-rounded lawyer.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
    • He is always identifying the more technical issues that others might not uncover and finding practical ways to deal with them.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
  • Band 1Richard Jackson
    Band 1Richard Jackson

    Richard Jackson

    Vancouver-based Richard Jackson offers market-leading expertise across the whole spectrum of commercial real estate, including purchase and sale matters, as well as leasing and ownership structuring. He also has experience with master-planned communities, including rezoning and development matters.

    • Richard is one of the top development lawyers in British Columbia and Canada.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
    • He provides excellent advice and service.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
    • He provides excellent high level support.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
  • Band 5Stephen Holinski
    Band 5Stephen Holinski

    Stephen Holinski

    Stephen Holinski earns respect for his work advising on the acquisition, disposal and development of real estate assets, in addition to rezoning matters. He regularly acts for investment firms, property developers and municipal bodies.

    • He can make the most complicated issues understandable.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
    • Stephen continues to be our go-to individual and trusted partner for both big picture strategy and execution.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
    • He is very business-oriented and offers practical solutions.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
    • He provides an excellent balance of high-level support and detailed management.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

Ranked Individuals at Stikeman Elliott LLP (4)

British Columbia

Members

Provided by Stikeman Elliott LLP

Stikeman Elliott LLP has rankings in the following guides

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