Keri Watkins

Keri has extensive real estate, development and hotel related experience and advises on all aspects of the commercial real estate transaction from the initial due diligence and structuring of the deal to post completion aspects. During her time in the Middle East, Keri has spent time on secondment with Dubai Properties Group and Gulf Capital.

Keri is ranked by the prestigious legal directories for her work in Real Estate and Hospitality from 2022-2024, most recently as a "Next Generation Partner" by Legal 500 and "Up and Coming" by Chambers & Partners.

Hotel and Leisure

• Acting for Diriyah Company, the owner of multiple developments in Diriyah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in relation to its hotel and F&B portfolio including negotiating with the operators of 41 ultra-luxury hotels and branded residences located in two different master plans in Diriyah.

• Acted for the buyer on the acquisition of the Anantara Hotel Resort & Spa, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, and the restructuring of its branded residences.

• Acted for the buyer on the acquisition of Nikki Beach Hotel Resort & Spa, Dubai and the restructuring of its branded residences.

• Acted for the buyer on the acquisition of the One & Only Hotel, Palm Jumeirah and One & Only Hotel, Al Sufouh, Dubai.

• Acted for the Seller on the sale of shares of Nurai Island Hotel and two new islands located northeast of Nurai Island, to Aldar Properties.

• Acted for Jumeirah Group in the acquisition of Le Richemond, Geneva.

• Advised Sixth of October Development and Investment Company (SODIC) on its strategic partnership with global luxury hospitality brand, Nobu, and on the expansion of the Nobu brand in Egypt.

Real Estate, Transactions, Development and Leasing

• Advised the Olayan Financing Company (OFC) on the acquisition of a 24.5% stake in ICD Brookfield Place, the region's premier lifestyle and business location within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), from Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) and Brookfield. This was the largest institutional third-party single asset real estate transaction in the UAE.

• Advised Aldar Properties on a AED 400 million investment in two European private real estate credit platforms alongside an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth und and Ares Management Corp.

• Advised Aldar Properties on the joint venture with an Abu Dhabi sovereign investor to acquire Al Maryah Tower, a prime Grade A commercial office property located on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi.

• Acted for a local government entity on the bid process for the acquisition of a USD 700 million hospitality portfolio of assets from Emaar Hospitality Group.

• Acted for Taaleem Holdings PSC on the strategic acquisition of Jebel Ali School (including the freehold title to the property) from Emirates REIT.

• Acted for Emaar Properties PJSC in relation to the acquisition of a number of development plots within the newly reclaimed Dubai Harbour.

• Redrafted Jebel Al Free Zone Authority's suite of real estate letting documentation for the Free Zone.

• Drafted Ajman Free Zone Authority's suite of real estate letting documentation for the Free Zone.