Maclay Murray & Spens LLP (MMS), the UK-wide commercial law firm, has boosted its real estate practice, with the appointment of Aberdeen-based David Rose and Alexis Condie, who joins the firm’s Edinburgh team. It follows the hire of Jill Reid, the former general counsel and company secretary of Dana Petroleum Limited, who joined the firm last month, to lead its oil and gas team in Aberdeen.
Kenneth Shand, chief executive of MMS, said, “The real estate team has been extremely busy and the appointment of David and Alexis in senior roles will enable us to further develop our depth and reach in this market. The institutional investment market, in particular, has been exceptionally buoyant and our team has also seen a significant uptick in development activity throughout Scotland. David and Alexis are first class real estate lawyers with an excellent track record and understanding of the Scottish property market. That experience will allow us to provide clients with the best advice available, so that they can maximise the opportunities in the current market. We look forward to working with them at this exciting time.”
David Rose joins MMS as a director in the firm’s Aberdeen office. Formerly with Brodies, he has advised clients in the north east for more than two decades, on projects such as the £60m Silver Fin office development in Union Street and the redevelopment of the site of the former Aberdeen Seafood Park, now the headquarters of EnQuest, the oil and gas company. In his new role, David will be focused on driving the firm’s real estate offering from the Aberdeen office and advising MMS’ institutional client base on real estate projects in the local market. MMS’ real estate team in Aberdeen is currently advising the developer of The Core Business Park, Bridge of Don, a large and complex development site, which is set to create a low carbon business community. The firm recently advised Nexen on its lease acquisition at Prime Four Business Park, Westhill, the acquisition of Silverburn House by Patrizia, including the subsequent disposal to Valad, and continues to advise Hammerson on the ongoing letting and management of Aberdeen’s Union Square shopping centre.
Alexis Condie, formerly of Davidson Chalmers, joins as an associate in MMS’ Edinburgh real estate practice, where she will work with Jennifer Johnson and Alan Stewart on a number of high profile development and investment transactions for institutional funds. Acting for clients on commercial leasing, acquisition and disposal of investment properties and licencing, Alexis recently advised on the acquisition and development of the former council headquarters at Market Street, Edinburgh and the acquisition of the former Bank of Scotland premises at 7- 9 North Bank Street.
