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 Cesar Armando Lechuga Perezanta
Partner

Cesar Armando Lechuga Perezanta

Head of Real Estate

Languages
  • Spanish
  • English

César is partner at CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow and is part of the Real Estate, Project Finance and Corporate M&A teams. On Real Estate he has advised clients on all aspects of real estate transactions and developments. His experience covers a wide range of activities, including the design, drafting and implementation of the appropriate legal structures for the construction of real estate and infrastructure projects through trusts, special purpose vehicles or companies, as well as the drafting and negotiation of the necessary contracts and agreements to implement and finance these structures or projects.

He has advised national and international clients such as Grupo Indi, Mota Engil, Deka Immobilien Investment, Union Investment Real Estate, Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec, on real estate, M&A and project finance transactions in Mexico.  He has acted as member and secretary of the board of directors of some of his clients.

Additionally, he has a strong background in the leasing, purchase and sale and operation of all types of real estate assets and the drafting, negotiation and implementation of transfer of rights agreements (such as leases, usufruct and free loan agreements) with a focus on the residential, multifamily, retail, industrial, logistics, commercial, touristic and office sectors.

Relevant experience

  • Cinépolis on the development and implementation of the corporate structure for an association between various investors in order to carry out the construction and development of a shopping centre located in Mexico City, including the purchase of the land and its contribution to the association vehicle.
  • Ingenio del Cauca, S.A., a Colombian company, on the acquisition from Grupo Azucarero México, S.A.B. de C.V. of 51% of the capital stock of the sugar mill Ingenio Presidente Benito Juárez, S.A. de C.V. and a capital quota of Impulsora Agrícola, Ganadera y Comercial, S.P.R. de R.L. de C.V.
  • ABC Holding, S.A.P.I. de C.V. in all corporate matters and its subsidiaries (ABC Capital, SOFOM, ENR.) including representation before the General Direction of Foreign Investment of the Mexican Ministry of Economy.
  • ADO on the corporate structure to incorporate the concessionaires of public transport along Line 3 of the Metro Bus into one company.
  • Urbarea, S.A. de C.V., on the joint venture through the execution of a JV through a property ownership trust for the construction of a residential development of approximately 600 units.
  • A Mexican construction company on the sale of 50% of its capital stock to a Portuguese company.

Awards & Rankings

  • The Legal 500, Latin America, Mexico, Real Estate, Next Generation Lawyer, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.
  • Chambers and Partners, Latin America, Mexico. Real Estate, Up and Coming, 2019.
  • Chambers and Partners, Latin America, Mexico, Real Estate, Band 4, 2020, 2021, 2022.

Education

Georgetown University, Washington DC, Master in Laws Degree (LLM), 2014-2015

Escuela Libre de Derecho, Mexico City, Postgraduate Studies in Business Law, 2010-2011

Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, Law Degree, 2003-2007

César is partner at CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow and is part of the Real Estate, Project Finance and Corporate M&A teams. On Real Estate he has advised clients on all aspects of real estate transactions and developments. His experience covers a wide range of activities, including the design, drafting and implementation of the appropriate legal structures for the construction of real estate and infrastructure projects through trusts, special purpose vehicles or companies, as well as the drafting and negotiation of the necessary contracts and agreements to implement and finance these structures or projects.

He has advised national and international clients such as Grupo Indi, Mota Engil, Deka Immobilien Investment, Union Investment Real Estate, Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec, on real estate, M&A and project finance transactions in Mexico.  He has acted as member and secretary of the board of directors of some of his clients.

Additionally, he has a strong background in the leasing, purchase and sale and operation of all types of real estate assets and the drafting, negotiation and implementation of transfer of rights agreements (such as leases, usufruct and free loan agreements) with a focus on the residential, multifamily, retail, industrial, logistics, commercial, touristic and office sectors.

 

Relevant experience

  • Cinépolis, Latin America’s largest cinema chain, on the development of a commercial, residential and corporate real estate project on a 30,000 m² property in Mexico City (“Toreo”), including initial due diligence, negotiation and drafting of lease agreements.
  • Cinépolis on the development of the Churubusco shopping centre, including carrying out buyer due diligence and post-completion negotiation and drafting of tenant lease agreements.
  • German investment fund on the purchase of a corporate building in Mexico City for US$150 million.
  • joint venture between Grupo O’Donnell and Prudential Real Estate Investors on the drafting and negotiation of lease and purchase agreements over industrial premises, and the lease of warehouses in various states of Mexico.
  • Walmart Mexico on the negotiation, due diligence and drafting of lease and purchase agreements for the establishment of several Walmart retail stores, restaurants and supermarkets throughout Mexico.
  • Invertierra on a tailor-made lease agreement for a AAA corporate and commercial building in Santa Fe, to be used by Coca-Cola and FEMSA as their corporate headquarters in Mexico City.
  • Deka Investment GMBH on the day-to-day leasing and administration of Deka’s real estate portfolio in Mexico.
  • Union Investment GMBH on the day-to-day leasing and administration of Union’s real estate portfolio in Mexico.

Awards & Rankings

  • The Legal 500, Latin America, Mexico, Real Estate, Next Generation Lawyer, 2019 - 2023.
  • The Legal 500, Latin America, Mexico, Corporate M&A, Recommended Lawyer, 2023.
  • Chambers and Partners, Latin America, Mexico, Real Estate,  2019 - 2023.
  • IFRL1000, Mexico, Highly Regarded, Banking and Finance, 2022.

Education

Georgetown University, Washington DC, Master in Laws Degree (LLM), 2014-2015

Escuela Libre de Derecho, Mexico City, Postgraduate Studies in Business Law, 2010-2011

Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, Law Degree, 2003-2007

César advises clients on all aspects of the financing of real estate and infrastructure projects. He has focused on topics related to the corporate and structured financing of real estate and infrastructure projects, as well as the warranties required to obtain said financing.

César has represented developers, construction companies, banks and governments (both local and federal) for the financing and implementation of infrastructure projects. He has also developed his practice on the design and drafting of concessions, licences, permits and contracts relating to Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and public works projects.

Relevant experience

  • Banco del Bajío, S.A., on the financing and implementation of the PPS for the Regional Hospital of Tlalnepantla, including drafting and negotiation of the financing documents.
  • Dexia México on the financing of the High Specialization Regional Hospital of Ciudad Victoria and Support Unit, in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, under the federal PPS programme.
  • Mexican Federal Government on the design and structuring of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the development of 12 federal prisons throughout Mexico.
  • Alstom, Grupo Indi, ADO, RATP and other companies on their participation in the public bidding for a long term services agreement for the design, financing, construction, fabrication and operation of the Mexico City tramway under a PPS programme.
  • Idinsa on the process of entering into credit agreements and their warranties for the construction of works in various Mexican states.
  • IDINSA and Grupo INDI, the winning bidder of the Nuevo Italia-Apatzingan PPS Federal Shadow Toll Road on the financing and implementation of the project.

Awards & Rankings

  • The Legal 500, Latin America, Mexico, Real Estate, Next Generation Lawyer, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.
  • Chambers and Partners, Latin America, Mexico. Real Estate, Up and Coming, 2019.
  • Chambers and Partners, Latin America, Mexico, Real Estate, Band 4, 2020, 2021, 2022.

Education

  • Georgetown University, Washington DC, Master of Laws (LLM), 2015.
  • Escuela Libre de Derecho, Mexico City, Postgraduate Studies in Commercial Law, 2011.
  • Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, Law Degree (JD), 2007.