K&L Gates Advises on Successful AU$7 Billion Arden Central Precinct Bid

Global law firm K&L Gates has advised Hamton Property Group in relation to its successful consortium bid with Hostplus to be appointed to deliver the AU$7 billion Arden Central precinct in Melbourne.  

The precinct will see the delivery of more than 5,400 new homes alongside extensive open space, a world class 5,000-person live entertainment venue, retail and hospitality precincts, leading education facilities, and sporting facilities. The precinct will be developed across some 12 hectares of land just 1.5 kilometres from Melbourne's central business district, adjacent to Melbourne's new Arden metro station.

In addition to advising in relation to the competitive tender process, K&L Gates advised Hamton in relation to all consortium arrangements including its joint venture with Hostplus and arrangements with retail, cultural, sporting, and education partners including Live Nation, Melbourne Victory Football Club, The University of Melbourne, North Melbourne Football Club, and Coles.   

The K&L Gates team was led by Melbourne partner Will Grinter, with assistance from Melbourne partner Alan Maclean and Sydney partner Sandra Steele, Melbourne special counsel Natalie Georgiev and Cassandra Nevill, and Melbourne lawyer Eleanor Symon.   

The matter continues K&L Gates' longstanding relationship with Hamton, which includes advising in connection with Hamton's ongoing Moonee Valley Park and Scotch Hill Gardens projects.   

“It is a privilege to work with Hamton and its collaborators on such a significant and transformative project for Melbourne,” said Grinter. “We are honoured to have supported the team in bringing together the many interconnected arrangements that will see Arden Central come to life.”  

“The team at K&L Gates, led by Will Grinter, has supported our Arden Central bid for the last 2½ years, beginning with the expression of interest first released by Development Victoria,” said Paul Hameister, Executive Chairman of Hamton. “Will and his team have helped us navigate an extremely complex transaction with the State involving multiple stakeholders, including parallel transactions with third parties such as Live Nation. Our success in securing this city-defining project is shared with Will and K&L Gates.”