Ben Pierce
Clayton Utz
Ben has over 18 years’ experience working extensively for and on the other side of well-known Australian REITs, private and public investors, international residential / hotel developers, NSW government authorities, renewable energy providers and various public and private investment clients covering all real estate asset classes.
Ben’s practice centers on direct and indirect real estate capital transactions, commercial, industrial, and residential development, project structuring and joint ventures and resulting acquisitions and disposals. Ben's recent experience includes acting for major corporate forestry and agricultural and marina fund managers in the acquisition and sale of various interests in Australia.
Ben has been recognised by Best Lawyers as a “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Australia” every year since 2022.
The Australian Industry Group: Advised and assisted The Australian Industry Group with the sale and development transaction documents in respect of its North Sydney Office buildings to an Australian REIT. A transaction worth approximately $120 million.
Barings Australia: Advises and assists Barings with complex fund establishments, real estate disposals and acquisitions, including liaising with FIRB to obtain approvals and fund establishments. Most recently assisted Barings with the establishment of its new real estate value add fund (BRAVA5) and with the acquisition by the fund of Darling Square, Sydney - deal worth approximately $360 million.
Charter Hall: Assists and advises Charter Hall with office and industrial acquisitions and disposals of properties in various states. Particularly, assisted Charter Hall with the sale of 333 George Street to a German purchaser for approximately $390 million.
Greenlit Brands: Acted for Greenlit Brands on the sale of the Snooze bedding business, by way of share sale agreement.
AVID Property Group: Assisted AVID Property Group with the acquisition from Stockland of the Forest Reach residential development project in Huntley NSW for approximately $114 million.
Growthpoint: Advised Growthpoint (and previously Fortius Property) with its real estate capital transactions - most recently assisting with the acquisition of a commercial office tower in Macquarie Park, NSW for approximately $101 million.
JP Morgan: Advised and assisted J.P. Morgan with the investment in a new PBSA development joint venture in Macquarie Park; which also included advising in relation to the acquisition of 15 strata lots.
Sumitomo Corporation: Acted for Sumitomo Corporation with its first investment into Australia, being a 50:50 joint venture with Mirvac for the delivery of the Highforest residential development, valued at $830 million.
Kinkora Investments (KordaMentha): Act for and assist Kinkora Investments (formerly KordaMentha) with the establishment of its various funds and negotiation of its joint venture arrangements with various sponsors. Most recently assisted Kinkora with its new Greenwich over 55s development JV project and a Paddington luxury and affordable housing JV project.
Household name supermarket client: Previously acted for a household name supermarket client on a range of its major site acquisitions and development project sites.
Daiwa House Australia: Acted for and advised Daiwa House on the acquisition of land and the project development agreement in respect of its residential development in Box Hill which consisted of 1,500 + greenfield lots at a total transaction value in excess of $450 million.
Altis Property Partners: Advised and assisted the shareholders of Altis Property Partners to sell 100% of the shares to Barings LLP.
New Forests: Advised and assisted New Forests with the sale of the units in one of its major forestry funds to a consortium of buyers, with a transaction value in excess of $900 million.