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November 2016

 
 
 
   

BIG DEALS


 
 

Flagship Retail Property at One Bloor Street East Sold by Great Gulf to First Capital Realty

Real Estate Group partner, Leor Margulies, together with associate, Tara Welat, and law clerk, Audrey Weaver, represented Great Gulf in the sale of approximately 85,000 square feet of retail space on 3 levels, and 52 commercial parking stalls, in the iconic 76-storey mixed-use development currently being completed by Great Gulf at 1 Bloor Street East, Toronto. The first phase of the transaction was completed on August 30, 2016 at the sale price of $189.2 million. The retail space features a lease to Nordstrom Rack for approximately 39,000 square feet for its first Canadian location.

 
 
 
 

LCBO Head Office Sale

On June 16, 2016 a joint venture between Menkes Developments and Greystone Managed Investments, with Triovest Realty Advisors acting as advisor to Greystone, completed the acquisition of the LCBO Head Office Lands on Lakeshore Boulevard East for $260 million. The site comprises 11.5 acres at the north-east corner of Queens Quay East and Freeland Street and includes the former rail spur lands splitting the site which were owned by Toronto Port Lands Company ("TPLC"). Real Estate Group partner, Leor Margulies, together with law clerk Helen Wright, acted for TPLC on the sale of the rail spur lands for an additional $11.5 million. The proposed development includes a 24-storey, 600,000 square foot office tower with 300,000 square feet of commercial retail space, and a new residential community to be anchored by a 2 acre park. LCBO will continue to be a major tenant in the office tower to be constructed and is expected to occupy approximately 200,000 square feet. The building will also feature a new flagship LCBO retail store of about 25,000 square feet.

 
 
 
 

3055 Bathurst Street, Toronto

Senior partner Ronald Appleby, Q.C., led a team comprised of partner Neill Kalvin, associate Zale Skolnik, and law clerk Helen Wright, from our Real Estate Group, and associate Arin Klug, from our Tax Group, on the acquisition of 3055 Bathurst Street in Toronto on behalf of Achei Temimim Jewish Cultural & Educational Network. The transaction was completed on July 22, 2016. The building, located at the intersection of Bathurst and Lawrence is the old Bank Leumi site and holds major significance in the Jewish community as home to two of Toronto's preeminent Yeshivas.

 

 
 
 
 

Acquisition of 250 University Avenue, Toronto

Real Estate Group partner, Neill Kalvin, associates Tara Welat and Zale Skolnik, and law clerk, Helen Wright, acted on behalf of a joint venture comprised of a Northam Realty Advisors Limited related company, and a European Separate Account Client of Northam, on the acquisition of 250 University Avenue, Toronto, a 177,871 square foot office and retail building located at the south west corner of Queen Street West and University Avenue in Downtown Toronto. The transaction was completed on September 8, 2016. The landmark building, originally constructed as the Bank of Canada’s Toronto office, benefits from a prominent location in Toronto’s downtown core consisting of an entire city block, and offers exceptional connectivity to public transit.

 

VIDEO


 
 

We want you to get to know us! Who are our lawyers?

Robins Appleby has launched its first series of videos highlighting who we are as lawyers and why our lawyers are the top experts in their field.


Click below to view some of the hot topics

Setting Up Your Business
Mergers and Acquisitions
So You Want to be a Condo Developer
Evolution Vs. Traditions

Click here to view all videos... ►

 

LAWYERS PUBLISHED


 
 

New mental-health program for paramedics ‘long overdue’
featuring Barbara Green

The Ontario government announced last week it is investing $199,970 to support the Paramedic Association of Canada in developing a new mental-health standard for paramedics.

The investment is part of $1.9 million being invested through the Occupational Health and Safety Prevention and Innovation Program, which aims to support workplace projects that improve health in the workplace.

Click here to read more ►

 

 

LAWYERS SPEAK


 
 

John Fox Speaks on Housing Matters

Real Estate Group partner John Fox has been engaged in the real estate industry's response to proposed Inclusionary Zoning rules and has been actively speaking about housing and the impact of Inclusionary Zoning. On May 10, 2016, John chaired and spoke at a session committed to Inclusionary Zoning and Community Hubs at the Land and Development Conference. His presentation, which outlines the housing environment in Ontario, can be downloaded at the following site:
http://www.realestateforums.com/landconference/program/program-2016/ ►

On May 12, 2016 John spoke at the BILD Member Forum on Building Affordable Housing in the GTA. On June 24, 2016 John was part of an industry consultation group convened by BILD to discuss and comment on the new Inclusionary Zoning rules. The session featured broad participation from both the public and private sectors, coming to the conclusion, among other things, that Inclusionary Zoning will have to engage industry as partners to succeed. On September 7 2016, John chaired a session on Government Programming, including Inclusionary Zoning at the Canadian Apartment Investment Conference. Session presentations can be found at:
http://www.realestateforums.com/caic/2016-program/ ►

 
 
 
 

David Schlesinger Presents on Cross Border Tax & Estate Planning Issues

David Schlesinger, a partner in our Tax and Estate Planning Group, presented at a recent Ontario Bar Association seminar on "How to Spot and Manage US Estate Planning Issues". Our Tax and Estate Planning Group has extensive experience in cross-border tax and estate planning matters. The presentation was part of an OBA seminar on Strategic Estate Planning Considerations which took place on September 30, 2016. David co-presented with Britta McKenna, a U.S. tax attorney with the New York firm of Hodgson Russ LLP.

 

 

EVENTS


 
 

2016 Robins Appleby World Invitational Clubbish Tournament

The 2016 Robins Appleby World Invitational Clubbish Tournament was the best ever. This year we hosted over 200 guests including 120 players. The word was that the food was terrific, the drink abundant and the company stimulating. Everyone had a good time, played their best and created stories and memories for future years.

Click here for Ronnie Appleby's letter ►

Click here to view some photos from the evening ►

 
 
 
 
 

Women's Mix & Mingle

On September 21, 2016, the women lawyers of Robins Appleby LLP hosted their 1st Women's Mix and Mingle Event at Red's Tavern. It was an evening of fun as our guests were treated to delicious appetizers, learned the secret to mixing the perfect cocktail, and were able to network with each other and their colleagues. All of our guests are impressive women with diverse business careers and included representatives of banks and financial institutions, wealth management advisors, chartered accountants, and other professionals. The evening was a huge success, and we look forward to our 2nd annual event next year!

Click here to view images of the evening ►

Click here to view the cocktail recipes ►

 

OUR LAWYERS


 
 
 

Introducing Aaron Rosenberg

We are pleased to announce that Aaron Rosenberg has joined our firm as an associate in our Litigation Group.

Read more about Aaron here ►

 
 
 
 

Interview with Ellad Gersh


How long have you been with Robins Appleby LLP?

Nearly 5 years

What do you specialize in at Robins Appleby LLP?

I am a commercial litigation lawyer with sub-specialities in condominium/construction law and tax litigation.

What characteristic do you think a person needs to have to be a successful litigation lawyer?

Organizational skills are a must; being thorough and having a strong work ethic in order to leave no stone unturned in preparing for Court which is inherently unpredictable; thick skin and mental toughness and competitive yet practical in order to achieve the best possible results for clients.

How do you spend your spare time?

Primarily with my wife and our 3 young boys. I'm also a big sports fan and enjoy following my favourite sport teams, competing in recreational sports leagues and staying fit.

 

When I walk into your office for the first time, looking around, what would your office tell me about you?

Organized (most days), self-motivated and a family guy.

How is that different from your personal life?

Just as self-motivated and family oriented but far less organized.

What are you reading right now?

Sycamore Row by John Grisham.

If you met yourself in the first year of law school, what advice would you give him?

Pursue your passions and confront your fears.

 
 
 
 
 

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The comments contained in this newsletter provide general information only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Further particulars on the matters summarized in this newsletter, their implications and suggested courses of action, can be obtained from Robins Appleby LLP using the contact information provided herein. This e-mail is being sent to you as a contact of our Firm.

 
   
 

Robins Appleby LLP  |  2600-120 Adelaide St. W., Toronto, ON M5H 1T1
T. 416.868.1080   F. 416.868.0306

 
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