Scott Smythe

For over two decades, Scott Smythe has stood at the forefront of the real estate sector, blending his vast experience in both the British Columbia and national landscapes to deliver swift, effective solutions on numerous high-stakes transactions. As a key figure at the Vancouver office's Real Property and Planning Group, Smythe's expertise extends across a broad spectrum of commercial real estate ventures. His knack for steering clients through the complexities of development, purchase and sale operations, lease agreements, financial structuring, and corporate restructuring is unmatched. His counsel is sought after by a wide array of clients, from real estate magnates and developers to corporate giants and individual investors across Canada, guiding them through the intricacies of the market and mitigating risks with precision.

Smythe's portfolio is replete with landmark transactions, including his pivotal role in the acquisition and subsequent sale of the Bentall Centre office tower complex, marking the largest office deals in British Columbia's history. His acumen was also instrumental in the purchase of Vancouver's iconic Oakridge Centre shopping mall and the Canada Post building in downtown Vancouver, the latter setting a record for the province's most valuable transaction in 2013. Moreover, his involvement in the $70 million acquisition of a corporate headquarters for an international retailer underscores his capability in handling deals of substantial magnitude. Smythe's influence stretches across the Western Canadian provinces, where he has successfully closed deals on a variety of properties, embodying his versatility and breadth of knowledge in the field.

In the realm of leasing, Smythe has orchestrated some of the most significant agreements, including securing over one million square feet of office space for Amazon in British Columbia, a testament to his prowess in negotiating and closing large-scale leases. His expertise also extends to complex redevelopment projects and leasing arrangements for key retail spaces across Canada, ensuring clients like Whole Foods, Loblaws, and Nordstrom secure prime locations. His role in development projects further showcases his versatility, from the comprehensive redevelopment of Oakridge Centre to the award-winning Northwoods Village, reflecting his ability to lead projects that shape local communities and business landscapes.

Beyond his transactional accomplishments, Smythe contributes significantly to the legal community through his authorship and editorial work on crucial real estate publications and his active participation in industry seminars and conferences. His leadership roles, including a directorship at the Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia and chairing the Real Property Subsection of the Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch), highlight his commitment to advancing the field. Recognized repeatedly by Chambers Canada, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, and Best Lawyers in Canada, Smythe's excellence in real estate law is undisputed, affirming his status as a standout lawyer in the industry.

Educated at the University of British Columbia, where he earned both his BA (Honours) and LLB, and later admitted to the British Columbia bar in 1997 after clerking for the British Columbia Court of Appeal, Smythe's foundation in law and dedication to his practice have positioned him as a linchpin in the real estate sector, continuously driving innovation and setting benchmarks for excellence.