The shareholders of Leasinvest Real Estate (LRE), a Belgian listed real estate player specialised in high-quality and well-located offices, logistics buildings and retail buildings in Belgium and in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, have approved the change of status from a “public real estate investment company” (“openbare vastgoedbevak / sicafi publique”) into a “public regulated real estate company” (“openbare gereglementeerde vastgoedvennootschap / société immobilière réglementée publique”).

HWL Ebsworth Lawyers has advised Simonds Group on its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) of 90.4 million shares, valued at $1.78, raising a total of $161 million. Shares in Simonds Group are scheduled to begin trading on 17 November 2014 under the ASX code SIO. The market capitalisation at the offer price values the company at $269.5 million.

Paul Hastings LLP has represented Putnam Holding Company, LLC, a joint venture managed by affiliates of The City Investment Fund, L.P. and Urban American Real Estate, in the October 2014 sale of a 4,000-unit portfolio of New York multi-family residential properties for a purchase price in excess of $1 billion.

Real estate partner Robert Wertheimer led the Paul Hastings team, which included partners Tom Mounteer, Marc Bernstein, Robert Kristoff, Eric Keller, senior associate Nathalia Bernardo, associates Adam McGovern, Jessica Wald, and Kate Nelson.

Addleshaw Goddard has advised UK REIT client and leading primary care property investor and developer, Assura Group Limited (Assura), on its £62.9 million acquisition of 11 high quality medical centres. The deal was completed through the purchase of the entire issued share capital of Metro MRI Limited (Metro) from Ray Seymour, Alistair Blacklaws and certain of their related persons.

DLA Piper and Clyde & Co played key roles in the landmark agreement between Gulf Related and Al Tayer Group which will see the opening of two iconic US department stores, Macy's and Bloomingdale's, at Al Maryah Central.

Al Maryah Central is a new 2.3 million square foot shopping centre being developed by Gulf Related on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. DLA Piper represented regional property development company Gulf Related on the agreement and Clyde & Co represented Al Tayer Group, a leading, diversified company with operations in the Middle East.

A consortium comprising Eiffage, acting through its Clemessy subsidiary (consortium leader), Schneider Electric and Krinner has been awarded a contract for the construction of a solar farm and an extra-high voltage substation – representing the largest photovoltaic power project in Europe - in Cestas, near Bordeaux, France. The consortium will also be responsible for the plant’s operation and maintenance.

Work on this project, worth nearly EUR 285 million, is to begin immediately.

Shoosmiths has advised client Citygrove Securities Plc and subsidiary Albemarle Developments Ltd on the major redevelopment in Telford's Town Centre.

Citygrove was selected by Telford and Wrekin Council as development partner for the leisure element of the wider £250m regeneration of Southwater Square. The project has taken two years to build and includes an 11 screen IMAX cinema, a hotel and 8 restaurants. The development lies between Telford Town Centre and the picturesque Telford Town Park.

Taylor Wessing has advised Grand City Properties S.A. on its successful placing of EUR 500 million fixed-rate secured bonds with a coupon of 2 per cent, which was over-subscribed. Grand City Properties S.A. is a specialist real estate company focused on investing in and managing turnaround opportunities in the German real estate property market. It is using the proceeds of the bond issue to refinance its series B bonds (as described below) and for other corporate purposes.

Eversheds has advised New World China Land Limited (NWCL) on the establishment of its US$1.5 billion Medium Term Note Programme and its first issuance under the Programme.

Eversheds' appointment demonstrates its growing reputation for debt capital markets issuance in Asia.

Sidley represented Simon Property Group, L.P. in the establishment of its global unsecured commercial paper note program, the first U.S. REIT to do so. Under the terms of the program, the Simon Operating Partnership may issue unsecured commercial paper notes denominated in U.S. dollars, Euros and other currencies, up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding of US$500 million, and will be used for general corporate purposes.