Corporate real estate

At Gateley Middle East, our team offers deep rooted expertise in corporate real estate across the region. 

We advise clients throughout the entire property lifecycle from acquisition, development and leasing, to asset management and disposal. Whether supporting multinational corporations with complex structuring or assisting regional businesses with property consolidation, we help clients make confident and commercially sound decisions within an ever-changing market.

With extensive experience across commercial, industrial, logistics, hospitality, retail and mixed-use developments, Gateley Middle East is a trusted partner for clients navigating the region’s real estate complexities. Our commercially minded, practical approach ensures that every property strategy is structured to unlock long-term value and mitigate risk.

Our team

Led by Amrik Sangha, a senior partner based in Dubai, our corporate real estate team advises clients on the full spectrum of transactional and strategic property matters across the Middle East. Amrik specialises in complex structuring, investment strategies and joint ventures related to commercial, industrial and mixed-use developments, including those within free zones and cross-border jurisdictions.

He has particular expertise in real estate-intensive sectors and recently advised an international data centre operator on a landmark framework agreement and multi-contract arrangement with a major US technology company concerning the development and operation of data centres in the region, underscoring our capability in navigating high-stakes, infrastructure-driven transactions with global impact.

We blend commercial insight with regional fluency to deliver clear, practical guidance on corporate property portfolios and built-to-suit solutions that align with long-term business strategy.

How we help our clients

Our lawyers are well-versed in the interplay between real estate and corporate law, with fluency in regional property regulations, free zone frameworks and cross-border structuring. 

We advise on a wide range of matters including property driven corporate transactions, joint ventures, REIT formation and governance, build-to-suit arrangements and regulatory compliance. We also bring specialist legal and consultancy expertise to support the development, structuring and operation of data centres.

Our team helps clients confidently navigate complex infrastructure transactions and multi-jurisdictional frameworks, delivering commercially sound, future ready solutions.

From site selection to negotiating and executing sale and lease agreements, we support clients across every stage of the transaction. We advise on title due diligence, risk assessments and regulatory approvals, conditional land purchase agreements and options, portfolio transactions and ensuring acquisitions and disposals align with business strategy and local law. Our leasing experience spans office, industrial, retail and hotel spaces.

We structure and negotiate bespoke development and joint venture frameworks for owners, tenants and developers. Our services include drafting development management agreements, operational agreements, joint venture or collaboration agreements and structuring forward purchase or lease arrangements to support long-term occupancy and operational goals. We have also acted for and worked closely with, UAE Government related master developers on high-profile mega projects and assisted in structuring mixed use developments.

Navigating the nuances of UAE and GCC free zones requires specialist knowledge. We assist clients in selecting the right jurisdiction, structuring real estate ownership and leasehold frameworks, use/ build arrangements and understanding cross-zone regulatory implications. We assist our clients with the contractual frameworks and regulatory considerations relating to the development and financing of large-scale mixed-use projects, freezones and industrial zones. Whether acquiring freehold, long leasehold or usufruct rights, we guide clients through compliance and optimisation.

We provide comprehensive legal due diligence, evaluating title, zoning, encumbrances and contractual risks. Our team supports financing arrangements with banks and private equity sponsors, preparing security packages including mortgages, pledges and assignment of project documents.

We help institutional landlords, asset managers and corporate occupiers manage existing property portfolios more effectively. Our services include lease reviews, cost-efficiency audits, sub-leasing strategies and restructuring underperforming assets, all with a view to enhancing long-term returns and operational agility.

We provide practical, end-to-end legal support to help data centre operators and developers get their projects off the ground and keep them running smoothly. Our multidisciplinary team works across every phase of the lifecycle, ensuring clients have the confidence, structure and legal protection they need. 

Support throughout the data centre lifecycle

Our extensive experience includes:

  1. Advising a local Dubai developer on the acquisition of mixed use plot of land on Marjan Island Ras Al Khaimah.
  2. Advising an Abu Dhabi-based developer on the acquisition of hotel plot on Saadiyat Island.
  3. Advising a fund on the acquisition of multi units at One Zabeel Dubai UAE.
  4. Advising an international developer on the acquisition of residential development land on Pearl Qatar.
  5. Advising a developer on the acquisition of a plot on Dubai Island for a hotel development. 
  6. Advising RAK Properties on its joint venture and development agreements with Ellington Properties in respect of the development of the Porto Playa residential development in Ras Al Khaimah. 
  7. Advising Kalyaan Hospitality Development Ltd on the privatisation and acquisition of a hospitality asset, Radisson Blu Hotel du 2 Février in Lomé, West Africa. (Transaction value £100m)
  8. Advising government-related developers on the sale of hotel plots, financing of hotels and hotel management agreements with leading hotel brands such as Starwood, Hilton, Hyatt, One and Only, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Fairmont, Shangri-La, Jumeriah, Banyan Tree, Marriott, Rezidor and others.
  9. Advising Abu Dhabi Government Authorities and TDIC on the development of Saadiyat Island and regeneration of Sir Bani Yas Island, including the disposal of hospitality assets to the private sector.
  10. Advising Fortimo Group, a leading hospitality and real estate development group, on the restructure of its existing corporate structure and joint venture arrangements in the UAE.
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