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BLM Group, a client of MSI’s Melbourne law firm, Aitken Walker & Strachan, is a family business which has bought and sold hotels over the past forty years. The business currently owns 25% of the ALH Group with the remaining 75% owned by Woolworths. ALH operates more than 270 licensed venues and over 450 retail liquor licence outlets across Australia.
In a recent multi-state deal, partner Tony Melville and his team in Melbourne were able to coordinate matters on behalf of BLM Group with MSI Global Alliance counterparts in Sydney (Patterson Houen & Commins) and Brisbane (Tucker & Cowen Solicitors).
Ross Blair-Holt of BLM Group noted how smooth the cross border issues were handled by three MSI member firms, allowing BLM Group to purchase two residential hotel properties to a value exceeding $50 million. “We wished to purchase two hotels, one in Sydney and one in Brisbane; with the intention of bringing them into a national group when the existing leases expire”, Ross stated.
Upon hearing his client’s request Tony contacted MSI lawyers in Sydney (Rod Commins of Patterson Houen & Commins) and Brisbane (David Tucker of Tucker Cowen).
“It was going to be complicated - not only were both hotels undergoing substantial renovations but in Sydney there was an environmental issue that also had to be resolved; I was confident both David and Rod would be well suited for the job”, Tony commented.
“Due to the existing relationship with Tony I was able to act quickly and efficiently on behalf of his client while negotiating the contact for the Sydney hotel,” Rod remarked.
David Tucker at Tucker & Cowen in Brisbane explained how settlement was further complicated as the two hotel purchases had to happen simultaneously with stamp duty having to be paid at the Stamp Duties Office in Brisbane. “Good communication was essential to achieve this amid the flurry of activity which occurred prior to settlement.”
“The transaction showed how the three firms could quickly identify the various tasks needed and develop an easy and comprehensive method of sharing the information required to meet the clients and its financiers requirements,” Tony added.
For more information
Please contact Anna Toscano
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