Norton Rose Fulbright advises Kaufland on distribution centre and development portfolio sale

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised German supermarket giant Kaufland on the sale of its completed distribution centre in Melbourne, together with nine retail and industrial development sites across Australia.

Kaufland’s distribution centre is located at the Merrifield Business Park and is now occupied by global logistics business DHL. The development sites are located across Victoria, Queensland and South Australia and have been sold to prominent developers and retailers, including Woolworths, Aventus Group, and the South Australian government’s Renewal SA development arm.

With multiple interested parties engaged in the on-market sale process, the Melbourne and Brisbane-based real estate team, led by partners Adrian Jones and Will Webster, managed the bidding and due diligence phase, contract negotiation and staggered completions.

Norton Rose Fulbright partner Adrian Jones commented:

“We are thrilled to have assisted our long-standing client Kaufland in divesting these sites, with successful deals being struck despite COVID-19 impacts on the market. The results show continued resilience in the market for high-quality logistics and development opportunities, and these transactions are a highlight in 2020 for our busy national real estate team.”

Adrian and Will were supported by partners Adam Smith, Luke van Grieken, and Ben Davis, senior associates Nicole Bury, Michelle Leong, and Scott Bulman, and associates James Lainas, Kasey Solar, and Sarah Gard.