James Watson

James specialises in all aspects of commercial property, with a particular focus on complex acquisitions and disposals, syndications, leasing, subdivisions and development projects. 

James advises a broad range of clients across the office, retail, industrial, hotel property sectors, as well as on energy projects including solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) developments. James has significant experience acting on large-scale property transactions, developments and strategic land projects throughout New Zealand.

Recent highlights

• Advising Centuria on its major property acquisitions and developments since 2022, including the acquisition of the Heritage portfolio for $290m, and acquisitions for its Industrial Fund, Retail Fund, Agricultural Fund and Diversified Property Fund.
• Advising Auckland Thoroughbred Racing on land dealings at Ellerslie Racecourse, including Fletcher Residential’s $600m redevelopment of the Hill site and Simplicity’s $280m build-to-rent development, as well as land dealings at Pukekohe Racecourse.
• Advising 94 Feet on the property aspects of its 41-storey development at 51 Albert Street, including the sale of the Indigo Hotel, and on the acquisition of development land in Queenstown as part of the $2b Lakeview Precinct development.
• Advising Hengyi on the property aspects of its 57-storey Pacifica development in Auckland, including the subdivision of the Pacifica super penthouse and subsequent sales of the penthouse units.
• Advising various developers on the negotiation of option agreements and leases for solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects throughout New Zealand, including the subsequent sale of those projects.
• Advising local and international clients on the acquisition, disposal and leasing of New Zealand property assets.