Department profile
Stikeman Elliott LLP

Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use

Canada Guide 2027 : Ontario

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Stikeman Elliott LLP

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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 - Ontario

Band 2

What the Team is Known For
Stikeman Elliott is recognised for its impressive strength in managing large real estate transactions, including purchases, sales and financings. Its lawyers frequently assist clients entering into co-ownership and joint venture agreements, as well as demonstrating strong expertise in complex commercial leasing and sale-leasebacks. The team's experience covers a wide range of product types, including commercial, retail and mixed-use properties. It is further equipped to handle issues surrounding land development, including zoning approvals and official plan amendments. The group demonstrates notable experience in OLT hearings. Its clients include public and private companies and REITs.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Stikeman Elliott acted as counsel to the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board in the sale of Amica Senior Lifestyles, a provider of senior living residences in Canada, to Welltower, in a transaction valued at CAD4.6 billion.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The Stikeman Elliott team has deep knowledge of real estate law.

    Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

  • The team is good at converting the legal issues into plain speak for the rest of our team as well and getting answers in a short period of time.

    Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

  • Stikeman truly understands our business and, based on this, provides us with clear direction on how best to proceed to achieve our intended results.

    Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

  • Stikeman demonstrates a strong understanding of the broader commercial context in which we operate. Their ability to frame legal advice in a practical, business-oriented way is helpful in supporting decision-making.

    Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

  • The firm has a very keen understanding of the law and underlying regulations and provides a good narrative on what it will mean for business.

    Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Calvin Lantz
    Calvin Lantz

    Calvin Lantz

    Calvin Lantz is the head of the firm's municipal and land use group and frequently appears before the OLT and municipal councils, in addition to advising developers seeking planning and zoning approvals.

    • Calvin has outstanding knowledge and responsiveness.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • Calvin is extremely knowledgeable with very complex and sophisticated files.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • He has a wealth of experience and contacts in the industry, which allows him to advise in an efficient and timely manner.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • He is customer-focused and always looking out for our best interest.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
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  • Eric M Carmona
    Eric M Carmona

    Eric M Carmona

    Eric Carmona is an accomplished real estate lawyer whose remit covers a variety of commercial transactions across Ontario, including acquisitions, dispositions and financing. He capably assists with mandates involving residential, commercial, industrial, hospitality and senior living developments.

    • He is very reliable, relentless and protective of our best interests.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • Eric is an excellent lawyer with deep industry knowledge.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
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  • Mario Paura
    Mario Paura

    Mario Paura

    Mario Paura is particularly highly regarded for his expertise in leasing matters. He is a skilled commercial real estate practitioner who often acts for developers and lenders on transactions in the space. His client roster also features major asset managers.

    • He is one of the top real estate lawyers in Canada.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • He is very practical so is as much a business adviser as a legal practitioner.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
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  • Stella Di Cresce
    Stella Di Cresce

    Stella Di Cresce

    Stella Di Cresce is garnering increasing recognition for her commercial real estate practice, advising clients on construction financing and real estate transactions.

    • She is highly competent, can always be depended upon to get things done and is a very commercial adviser.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
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  • Douglas Klaassen
    Douglas Klaassen

    Douglas Klaassen

    Douglas Klaassen capably assists with real estate transactions. He has additional strength in matters involving real estate funds.

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  • Patrick Duffy
    Patrick Duffy

    Patrick Duffy

    Patrick Duffy co-leads the firm's projects and infrastructure group. He is routinely engaged on planning and land use matters in Ontario, both advising on zoning by-law amendments and representing clients in appeals before the OLT.

    • He is knowledgeable, persistent and drives results.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • Patrick demonstrates a strong level of knowledge and experience and provides thoughtful, practical guidance on complex matters.

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    • He is diligent and business-minded.

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    • He recognises our firm’s goals and objectives and provides specific, actionable advice to help us achieve these.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
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  • Vince Imerti
    Vince Imerti

    Vince Imerti

    Vince Imerti is an excellent adviser on a variety of real estate transactions and lease negotiations.

    • He is a strong and reliable counterpart who has strong anticipation of our needs as a client.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
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  • Lanette Wilkinson
    Lanette Wilkinson

    Lanette Wilkinson

    Lanette Wilkinson is recognised for her broad-based commercial real estate practice in Ontario, with particularly strong experience on sales transactions.

    • She is a very detail-oriented and technically sound lawyer who allows the client to know risks and make smart business decisions based on that.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • She has strong sophistication and understanding of business issues.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
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  • Neil Shapiro
    Neil Shapiro

    Neil Shapiro

    Neil Shapiro is a Toronto-based lawyer with a developing commercial real estate practice. He has strong experience acting for investors on purchases and disposition transactions.

    • He thinks about how legal advice affects other business units, which is really useful and practical.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • He is very good on all fronts, with a good balance of commercial reasonableness and great communication.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
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  • Andrew Elliott
    Andrew Elliott

    Andrew Elliott

    Andrew Elliott is adept at advising on planning matters as they relate to obtaining approvals for re-zoning and redevelopment projects.

    • Andrew is very knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.
      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • Andrew works through issues in a practical manner.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • He quickly grasps the issues and provides expert advice.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
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  • Jonathan Cheng
    Jonathan Cheng

    Jonathan Cheng

    Jonathan Cheng is an associate with a fast-rising reputation for his real estate practice, which focuses on development approvals and zoning by-law amendments.

    • Jonathan is an absolute rockstar. He works well under pressure and makes me feel like our needs are completely met.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • Jonathan is the workhorse that gets things done.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada

    • Jonathan is an extremely considerate professional who is consistently quick to respond in a clear, knowledgeable and understandable fashion. He personalises each experience to make you feel like a partner in the process rather than just a client, all while providing actionable advice. He knows and understands our business and how it fits in the market.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Stikeman Elliott LLP (11)

Ontario

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