The Cornwalls Property team is a market leader in commercial, retail and industrial leasing, offering unparalleled expertise and strategic insight. Our deep industry knowledge, combined with a sharp commercial focus, allows us to deliver exceptional results for our clients.
We set the benchmark in property law by streamlining processes, delivering tailored solutions, and ensuring a seamless experience for every transaction. Our approach is commercially driven, efficient, and results-focused, giving our clients a distinct advantage in the property sector.
About Property
In a fast-moving property market, timing and precision are everything. Our team is known for its rapid comprehension of commercial objectives and its ability to navigate complex legal and market dynamics with confidence.
We have a proven track record in handling the acquisition and disposal of retail, commercial, industrial, and residential properties, as well as large-scale developments, including retail shopping centres, multi-level residential projects, broad acre subdivisions, large format retail centres, resorts, hotels and business parks. We have particular knowledge of the due diligence required in these matters and the commercial imperatives our clients wish to achieve.
At Cornwalls, we don’t just provide legal services—we deliver strategic, value-driven solutions that empower our clients to seize opportunities, mitigate risks, and achieve success in an ever-evolving property landscape.
Our team advises a wide range of private and commercial clients, including national and international public and private retailers, developers, funds, banks, hoteliers and investors. Through our experience, knowledge and contacts in both the Sydney and Melbourne property sectors, we also identify opportunities for our clients.
We offer a national service and can advise clients on issues arising in all jurisdictions.
Leasing
At Cornwalls, our leasing expertise is second to none. We have a proven track record in delivering strategic, high-impact solutions across a wide range of asset classes, including commercial office buildings, mixed-use developments, shopping centres, large-format retail hubs, childcare and early learning centres, resorts, hotels, and business parks.
Our team is trusted by leading national and international clients, including corporate landlords, REITs, major retailers, developers, funds, banks, hoteliers, NFPs, and charities. With a deep understanding of the Australian market and a strong network across all states, we go beyond traditional legal services—we identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and drive commercial success for our clients.
We offer a seamless, results-driven approach to leasing for both landlords and tenants, handling:
- Retail, commercial, and industrial leasing
- Acquisition and disposal of leased assets
- Comprehensive due diligence and strategic advice
Our commercial insight, combined with cutting-edge legal expertise, ensures that every leasing transaction is structured for maximum advantage. Whether negotiating highstakes deals, streamlining processes, or ensuring compliance with complex regulations, we empower our clients to achieve their commercial objectives with confidence and precision.
With Cornwalls, you gain more than just legal support—you gain a strategic partner dedicated to your success.
Expertise
- Adverse possession
- Body corporate, owners corporations, strata title, establishment, rules advice and dispute resolution
- Boundary realignment
- Commercial and retail landlord and tenant disputes and mediations
- Commercial, retail and industrial leasing
- Compulsory acquisition
- Franchising advice
- Owners corporation establishment, special rules, advice and dispute resolution
- Planning and planning objections
- Property joint ventures
- Sale and purchase of aged care facilities
- Sale and purchase of agricultural land
- Sale and purchase of hotels and other specialised properties in the hospitality industry
- Sale and purchase of industrial property and commercial property
- Sale and purchase of residential property (nationally)
- Structures for property development
- Subdivision
- Telecommunications leasing (nationally)
- Transfers of property to and from trusts and SMSFs
- Trust advice
Examples
Our Property team has acted in the full range of residential, industrial, commercial and rural property matters for both the private and public sector. Recent highlights of our work include:
- Louis Vuitton building Acquisition of 139 Collins Street, Melbourne for The Hour Glass (Australia) Pty Ltd for circa $70m
- Historic sale and record-breaking Victorian private property sale price of $88m for Ausvest Holdings Pty Ltd
- The Queens Place – twin tower mixed-use (residential and retail) development, one of the largest in Melbourne CBD with total development value over $1.2 billion, including 1800 apartments in total
- Advising on the acquisition of a $50 million industrial site in western Sydney, as well as its subsequent subdivision and sale, including advice on contamination issues
- Advising on the acquisition of a $25 million site for the development of a shopping centre, cinema, hotel and residential units
- Advising on the acquisition of a $12 million industrial site at Seven Hills as part of a joint venture between a developer and utility provider (Integral Energy) for a commercial/industrial development, which included negotiating a joint venture agreement
- Advising lessors on a 20 year lease of substantial industrial premises in western Sydney to a major US car parts manufacturer; a 15 year lease of major manufacturing premises in western Sydney to a steel components producer; and a 20 year lease of a large warehouse and office facility in north-west Sydney to an international pharmaceutical company
- Advising on the acquisition of large areas of land on the north coast of NSW on behalf of the NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources for dedication as a national park
- Advising the NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources on a conflict between terms in the Manly Local Environment Plan and a restrictive covenant regarding land at Seaforth
- Advising the NSW Department of Education and Training on asbestos in school grounds
- Advising and obtaining FIRB approval for a complex biomedical testing project with a projected investment of $1B for the life of the project
- Acting for a global PV mounting system and tracking systems supplier in safeguarding its interest in Australia
- Conducting due diligence on a proposed acquisition and acting on the acquisition of four major and regional shopping centres in Victoria and the ACT
- Advising on the acquisition of broad-acre lands and the subdivision into multiple (many hundreds) residential allotments and contract preparation for transacting house and land package sales throughout Victoria
- Advising on and preparing contracts and documents for a multi-level residential apartment complex.
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