Will Barnes

Will is a commercial real estate and development expert, with a focus on urban development, infrastructure and forestry.

Will advises public and private sector clients on property development, leasing, acquisitions and disposals. His experience extends to large scale forestry, residential and commercial property development, infrastructure delivery and energy development projects.

Will provides strategic advice, due diligence reporting and transactional delivery to assist clients with navigating the path to success in their real estate projects.

Will is known for his pragmatic and outcome focused, but thoughtful and personable, approach.

Will joined the firm in 2018 after spending over five years in the Melbourne and London offices of a large global law firm, having started his career in New Zealand in 2007.

Work Highlights

New Zealand Carbon Farming

Managing a large pipeline of land acquisition for planting and acquisition of forests (for establishing carbon sinks) as well complex leasing arrangements and ongoing development and subdivision of excess productive land.

Kāinga Ora

Preparing and advising on new super lot development and sale agreement template and advising on urban development matters. Leading a subdivision work stream for public housing developments.

Auckland Council

$58 million sale of 35 Graham St, Auckland and agreement to develop and lease the Asset Plus new build $120 million office build in Albany (Council as anchor tenant and development partner – due for completion 2023).

Healthcare Holdings

Acting for Healthcare Holdings on the development and lease of Kakariki Private Hospital in Greenlane and the lease portfolio of related entities.

Auckland Council and Auckland Transport

Redevelopment of Auckland’s waterfront for the 36th America's Cup event in 2021.

2degrees

Acting for 2degrees on the $1.076 billion sale of its passive cell phone tower assets to mobile tower company, Connexa.

Wind/solar Farms and Ports (former role)

Acting for developers and funders of renewable energy (wind and solar farms) in Australia and for the buyer on the $AUD5.07 billion acquisition of Ports Botany and Kembla from the NSW Government.

London Property Development (former role)

For various developers including Brookfield’s development, pre-letting and funding of 100 Bishopsgate, London and Market Tech Plc’s £200 million Camden Lock urban renewal project.