Ben Wu
Biography
Overview
Ben acts for developers, state-owned entities, government authorities and property investment funds, on a variety of property transactions including acquisitions and disposals of premium grade commercial office towers and retail shopping centres; leases (acting for landlord) of premium grade office towers; property due diligence – for acquisitions and financing; and off the plan development.
Ben Wu is a Counsel in White & Case's Real Estate team, based in Sydney. Ben holds accredited specialist status with the Law Society of NSW in property law. Ben specialises in sale and lease arrangements for commercial, industrial and retail properties. Ben is regularly involved in large acquisitions, disposals and property development projects for Australian and international clients.
Experience
Renewables
- Foto Renewables Venture in several solar farm and battery energy storage system developments throughout Australia and assisting in structuring land tenure arrangements that are optimal for FRV's operation of the facilities.
- Marble Energy in the Cobora solar farm including the preparation of options to purchase, leasing and licensing arrangements during the pre-construction phase and negotiations with relevant government authorities over compulsory acquisition of land.
Property development
- Payce Consolidated, Deicorp, Mirvac and Sekisui House in several residential and mixed use developments such as East Village, The Address, Royal Shores and South Village at Kirrawee including the preparation of finance due diligence and input on financing arrangement.
- Lendlease in the drafting of the master contract, options and deed of covenants for several land subdivisions for Lendlease at Jordan Springs.
- Privately owned Chinese property developers in their acquisition of sites to develop residential units and retail stores in Sydney's inner-west.
Property and project financing
- Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, Westpac, ANZ, Metrics and various other financial institutions in the financing of major real estate acquisitions and capital transactions.
Acquisition and disposals of commercial real estate
- Ping An Insurance in a joint venture through an acquisition of a 50% interest in a Sydney CBD development worth over A$2 billion.
- Ascendas-Singbridge in its acquisition of a long-term leasehold interest in the commercial tower at the Sydney Masonic Centre worth over A$250 million.
- Stockland in its A$700 million bid for Woolworths Limited's sale of its Masters portfolio of properties.
- Private property funds in the disposal of property assets in excess of A$1 billion.
Accredited Specialist, Property Law (The Law Society of New South Wales)
