Expertise
"The quality of the work here is very strong – the lawyers are knowledgeable, offering good advice for any questions asked."
Chambers Europe
Matheson has one of the largest partner led and one of the most experienced Construction & Engineering practices in Ireland mandated on developments / projects spanning multi-building developments, development financing and re-financing projects and capital projects with the largest capital expenditure in this jurisdiction. We advise the largest developers / sponsors, funders, semi-state bodies, tenants, employers, contractors and designers in the state.
Our construction specialists are frontrunners and thought leaders in crafting procurement strategies for multiplex developments and advising on the full life cycle of a large scale development from design, building, financing, sale and leasing. The team has market leading expertise in complex forward funding / forward purchasing arrangements. The team has also acted on some of the most complex construction and development financing and re-financing projects (including debt, equity and project finance) in this jurisdiction and have worked with a number of indigenous and international banks, financial institutions, pension funds and private equity houses and are intimate with ‘bankability’ requirements of all types of projects. The team has the benefit of unique industry expertise and consists of lawyers experienced across six jurisdictions.
Our construction disputes team, led by Nicola Dunleavy, has expertise in various forms of alternative dispute resolution such as conciliation, expert determination, and mediation. The team always delivers strategic, commercial and practical solutions to minimise disruption and protect business reputation.
We advise clients on the largest capital projects in the jurisdiction including large scale pharmaceutical regeneration projects, data centres, pharmaceutical / clean room facilities, commercial office, corporate headquarters ‘campus style developments’ and EPC contracts for process plants, large international construction projects including infrastructure, facilities and power.
Our Team
Key Developer Transactions
- The Team is currently acting on behalf of Oxley Holdings Limited in relation to its development of Dublin Landings (capex circa €300 million).
- Acting on behalf of a global real estate, development and investment management firm and its investor in respect of the forward funding of a significant PRS scheme in Dublin. We are advising on a complex set of forward funding development and financing agreements and leading negotiations on the risk profile in relation to the build out of the scheme including in relation to design objectives, completion requirement / phasing protocols, retention, funding commitments and incentive payments (capex circa €300m).
- Advising a global real estate, development and investment management firm in the development of a 368 purpose built student accommodation scheme in Dublin. The project includes the refurbishment and re-purposing of protected structures on site as well as new build elements. Construction is further complicated by the site taking up an entire city block except for 2 areas in third party ownership which sandwich the site (capex circa €40 million).
- Matheson are advising a global real estate, development and investment management firm through all stages of the development of student accommodation facilities, consisting of 412 beds in Cork.
- Matheson is advising a global real estate, development and investment management firm on the suite of construction documentation with respect to the development of a student accommodation scheme currently for 209 beds (which is anticipated to increase to 291 beds) in Cork.
- Acting on behalf of US developer in relation to a residential, retail and hotel / student accommodation development in Dublin (capex of €1 billion).
- Acting as the lead construction adviser to a US developer in relation to circa €700 million build-to-rent development in a Dublin location, including drafting and negotiating a full suite of bespoke consultant appointments in addition to assisting with the strategic procurement route for this project.
- Acting for Oxley Holdings and Ballymore Group on the pre-letting of an office block to WeWork in the Connolly Quarter development.
- Advising a major indigenous developer in relation to the development and sale of a landmark waterfront site in Dublin’s city centre docklands (capex €160 million).
- Representing a major indigenous developer in the construction and forward sale of a Private Rental Sector scheme as part of one of the largest residential schemes currently under construction in south Dublin (capex €73.5 million).
- Advising a major indigenous developer in relation to the construction and forward sale of a PRS scheme in Dublin (capex Circa €125 million).
- Advising one of the leading universities in Ireland on the development of a new business innovation centre (capex €1 billion).
- Advising a sport authority on the development of a sports stadium (capex Phase 2 €21.5 million / total €58 million).
- Matheson are acting as Irish Counsel to a global financial institution in relation to a €60 million facility for the purposes of the acquisition and financing of a number of investment assets and recently completed assets.
- Acted on behalf of a large financial institution in relation to a development loan facility in excess of €176 million for the development of a forest holiday village in Ireland. The development is the first of its kind in Ireland.
- The Team is currently acting on behalf of a global real estate, development and investment management firm and its investor in respect of the forward funding of a significant PRS scheme in Dublin. We are advising on a complex set of forward funding development and financing agreements and leading negotiations on the risk profile in relation to the build out of the scheme including in relation to design objectives, completion requirement / phasing protocols, retention, funding commitments and incentive payments (capex circa €300m).
- Advising an indigenous financial institution on construction-related matters arising from loan facilities totalling approximately €188 million sought for the building of two new hotels by the same borrower.
- Advised a German multinational investment bank and financial services company in relation to the refinancing of an existing loan with respect to a land mark city centre development. The new arrangement involved the transfer of the commercial and residential elements into two separate sub-funds (capex €261 million).
- Advised a German multinational investment bank and financial services company in the acquisition of a key Dublin city centre building (capex €44 million).
- Recent instructions include a lender role in the project financing of a significant mixed use docklands development in the Dublin city area (capex in excess of €200 million).
- Acting on behalf of a multinational real estate developer in the financing of a €1 billion Strategic Development Zone development in west Dublin.
- Advising an American biopharmaceutical company on the construction aspects of an agreement for lease of a new office building and the subsequent fit out of space in Blanchardstown (approx. 61,820 square feet) (capex €32 million).
- Advising an American software company on the construction aspects of an agreement for lease of a new office building and the subsequent fit out of space in Dublin 1 (approx. 61,820 square feet) (capex €27 million).
- Advising a global pharmaceutical company in relation to the acquisition and fit out of its premises in Sligo, and the re-development of an existing facility in Sligo (capex €120 million).
- Advising a leading Dublin university, on the development of a new business innovation centre (capex €1 billion).
- Advising one of the largest global e-commerce and cloud computing companies on the acquisition of a 178,000 sq ft prime city centre location office and 31,500 sq ft temporary office space from a shared work space provider (capex €243 million).
- Advising a biopharmaceutical company in the lease of the highly sought after rental space in Dublin’s city centre (approx. 61,820 square feet) (capex €77 million).
- Advising a global financial services provider on the acquisition and fit out of a 12,000 sq metres office building in Dublin’s south docks development on a forward funding arrangement (capex €125 million).
Construction Disputes Key Transactions
- Multinational corporation in relation to a number of claims with a value of over €25 million arising from a number of power outages. The claim relates to an Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contract worth approximately €600 million.
- A leading Dublin university in respect of a number of claims by the contractor for the construction of a €62 million student accommodation block in Dublin city centre.
- Multinational technology company in respect of fit-out issues at an office premises in Dublin.
- American multinational technology company in respect of a workmanship / defects dispute arising from the construction of a multi-million euro data centre in Dublin.
- The receiver in litigation with a value of approximately €8 million arising from the construction of a town centre.
- A major indigenous developer in respect of a dispute with a local authority regarding commencement conditions and a separate dispute with a number of purchasers regarding standards of construction.
"Matheson’s construction team is highly skilled and always delivers on time. Their advice is accurate, clear and comprehensive and their support and in-depth industry experience are highly valuable. Overall, their knowledge of construction law and practice is second to none."
Construction: The European Legal 500 2024
"The team has an ability to understand the nuances and detail of complex matters quickly and give excellent technical advice focused on essential issues. They have a proactive, solution-orientated approach focused on clients’ requirements"
Construction: The European Legal 500 2024
“A very commercial and knowledgeable team. It goes the extra mile for its clients."
Construction: The European Legal 500 2023
“Matheson LLP is a go-to firm for complex construction projects in Ireland. Their consideration & scenario planning from a legal perspective is hugely helpful when dealing with challenging transactions."
Construction: The European Legal 500 2023
“Matheson's biggest strength is that they understand how businesses operate and do not simply advise on black-and-white law."
Construction: Chambers 2023
“There is a wealth of experience among the team, not only in legal but also in practical construction matters, which allows the team to think ahead to ensure all aspects of the matter are thoroughly considered."
Construction: Chambers 2023
“The team is knowledgeable and thorough."
Construction: Chambers 2023
“A very experienced and qualified team that has significant experience in all construction matters. The team has a great mix of senior and junior individuals and has a strong relationship with Matheson’s real estate team to ensure continuity
and consistency across instructions."
Construction: The European Legal 500 2022
"Matheson are client-focused, trustworthy and readily available when needed. They always follow up and aim to provide the best advice,"
Construction: Chambers Europe 2022
“They team give great guidance, excellent value, and development of an excellent working relationship."
Construction: Chambers Europe 2022
“Matheson provides our firm with prompt, professional and considered advice to ensure the continued delivery of our projects. They make time for calls and queries and return calls promptly if they are required".
Construction: The European Legal 500 2021
“I would consider Matheson’s construction team to be a market leader for support with construction projects in Ireland. They have assisted me with a range of matters from large-scale construction projects to smaller more routine enquiries.
Throughout I have found them to be responsive, comprehensive and pragmatic. Availability has never been an issue and the team are a pleasure to work with".
Construction: The European Legal 500 2021
“The construction team is extremely responsive, offering timely and commercially practical advice".
Construction: Chambers Europe 2021
"They take time to understand what’s important to clients, ensuring that the advice is relevant to their needs."
Construction: Chambers Europe 2021
“The Matheson team had an excellent knowledge of construction, with many lawyers with degrees in construction professions. The team were always available at short notice to assist or meet on contractual matters. They integrated as part of the
team and looked at thing in a pragmatic way to best achieve the desired outcome. They looked for solutions as opposed to taking stances and getting bogged down in legal conflicts. They instilled an atmosphere of confidence not only in their service
but in the team in general.”
Construction: The European Legal 500 2020
“The service provided by Matheson is of the best quality and we have found them to be reliable, practical and solution driven. Our queries are always answered promptly, their advice has always been commercially focused and efficiently delivered,
and their vast knowledge and skills have been extremely helpful in all real estate and construction law matters. Matheson is a top-tier law firm. Their attention to detail, diligence, dedication, and knowledge of real estate and construction law is
exemplary. The quality of their work and high-class level of communication is also excellent.”
Construction: The European Legal 500 2020
“Matheson very quickly and competently were able to convert UK standard industry texts for use in Ireland. This is clearly an experienced and competent construction practice team.”
Construction: The European Legal 500 2020
“We value the attention to detail and clear identification of the risks that cause issues and concerns for our business, and the timely response to queries raised and commitment to us as a client even during times when it proves difficult to respond.”
Construction: The European Legal 500 2020