Bustamante Fabara acts for a variety of clients, including major construction companies, developers and investors, in the full range of real estate matters. The group leverages its close connections with municipalities, property registries and other governmental agencies to advise on regulatory, transactional, zoning, land use and environmental matters concerning real estate projects. Key areas of strength for the team include the sale, restructuring, financing and leasing of real estate assets, including commercial, residential, agriculture, and industrial properties. Practice head Juan Felipe Bustamante is skilled in large-scale project development, financings and acquisitions in the real estate sector. José Rafael Bustamante C., a key point of contact for telecoms, manufacturing and infrastructure clients, is another name to note for transactional work in this space. At the associate level, Pedro Gómez de la Torre focuses on the financing and structuring of real estate projects, and Kirina González specialises in cross-border real estate transactions.

Counting many of the largest real estate companies in the region as clients, Lexvalor Abogados is well versed in the entire range of real estate projects, most notably commercial and residential developments, and also excels in condominium structures and real estate trust-related matters. Karla Villacís Echeverría and Daniela Irigoyen jointly lead the team; Echeverría regularly assists construction companies and developers with property acquisitions and construction agreements, while Irigoyen focuses on the structuring, development and management of infrastructure projects through trust fund and fiduciary structures. Juan Francisco Almeida, who stands out for his extensive knowledge of the fiduciary area, maintains a broad real estate practice focused on project development, transactions and disputes. Key support is offered by senior associates Marcelo Morabowen and Adriana Paredes. Morabowen draws on his previous in-house experience at two fiduciaries to advise on the structuring of real estate projects under various types of corporate and fiduciary structures; this is also a core area of expertise for Paredes.

Noted for its ‘high technical knowledge and practical management of situations‘, Pérez Bustamante & Ponce‘s real estate practice assists domestic and international companies in the development of major real estate projects in Ecuador across the commercial, residential, tourism, and rural spaces. In addition to project structuring, the team is proficient in financings, title revisions, land acquisitions, lease agreements, and permitting isssues. Overseeing the team are: Sandra Reed, who provides ‘personalised, permanent and comprehensive treatment‘ in the context of financing and structuring of real estate developments; Diego Pérez Ordóñez, who advises on the negotiation and implementation of contracts for real estate projects; and Juan Manuel Marchán-Maldonado, a name to note for PPPs and infrastructure ventures.

Heralded for its ‘knowledge, responsibility, and the ability to solve problems‘, the real estate team at Heka Law Firm provides comprehensive legal support to domestic and international clients, including major banks and developers. The team is well positioned to assist with the entire range of mandates, from asset purchases to financings and regulatory compliance. Practice co-head Santiago Albán is 'undoubtedly a reference' in the construction sector in Ecuador. Fellow co-leader Mauricio Subía focuses on the financing and management of large-scale real estate projects. The pair is backed up by regulatory expert Indira Mendia, who handles matters involving municipal and central government entities.

Robalino is a strong choice for multinational companies seeking advice on their real estate operations in Ecuador. The group is active in the structuring of investments and real estate projects, and also regularly assists with permitting issues, construction contracts and related disputes. The team is overseen by Martín Pallares, a key point of contact for cross-border transactions, and Daniel Robalino, who is experienced in corporate issues relating to the purchase of land and property. Key support is offered by senior associate Christian Narvaez, who is regularly sought out by clients from the retail, fashion, pharma and e-commerce industries.

The versatile team at Dentons Paz Horowitz is engaged by corporate and individual clients in asset deals, leasing agreements, and M&A transactions involving considerable real estate transfers. In addition, the group also handles permitting issues, title searches and regulatory matters, among others. Bringing together expertise in real estate, probate, inheritance and estate law, practice head Verónica Mieles advises on the entire life cycle of a real estate project, covering both commercial and residential developments. Associate Fabricio Solórzano stands out for his experience in public law and mining-related matters.

The real estate practice at Pino Elizalde Abogados adopts a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating tax and banking expertise when assisting clients with the development of real estate projects. The team is also proficient in disputes, including real estate expropriation proceedings, contractual negotiations, and municipal regulatory issues. Leading the group is Daniel Pino, who also oversees the corporate and M&A department. Jaime Arosemena is a key contact for local and foreign clients seeking advice on various real estate matters.

The multidisciplinary team at Apolo Abogados is particularly skilled in the purchase of land - most notably for aquaculture and agricultural purposes - and properties, drawing on its deep understanding of environmental and water regulations. Rafael Balda Santistevan leads the practice alongside Javier Cardoso Andrade, a key point of contact for project structuring and regulatory matters, and José Gabriel Apolo Santos, who counts major industrial and exporting groups in Ecuador as key clients. Names to note at the associate level include Denisse Garcia and María José Arias.

ECIJA advises local and international clients on the acquisition of real estate properties and the management of residential and urban projects. Ingrid Rodríguez in Manta is a key adviser to domestic and foreign investors with significant stakes in real estate projects. She oversees the group with Guayaquil-based Édgar Méndez, whose areas of expertise include asset deals, property development and regulatory issues, and Byron Sotomayor, a name to note for real estate transactions. Fellow co-head Genesis Bermeo leads the real estate offering in the Quito office.

With over six decades of experience in the real estate space, Romero Arteta Ponce provides legal support to domestic and international clients - both corporates and individuals - on the purchase and sale of properties and related due diligence. Gustavo Romero has a strong track record in transactional matters involving real estate assets. He oversees the practice which also features key contacts Diego Romero and Patricia Del Pozo.