Expertise
José Antonio is a Partner and Head of the Real Estate team in Spain. A lawyer with over 27 years of experience, his practice covers all the areas of the real estate life-cycle, including sale and acquisition of real estate assets (shopping centres, office buildings, logistic parks, hotels, student residences, residential developments, etc.) and real estate companies; lease of real estate properties (finished, under construction, turn-key agreements, etc.); sale & lease back; real estate financing and construction contracts.
His clients include national and international real estate companies, REITs, investment funds, financial institutions, family offices and commercial players. Some of the companies he has advised include, among others: Amazon, CBRE Global Investors, Inbest Real Estate, Iroko Zen, Vapat, Inversiones Subel, Navis Capital, SCCE, McDonald’s, El Corte Inglés Real Estate, Mapfre Inmuebles, Generali Real Estate, Dachser Spain, Excem Real Estate, Leroy Merlin, Kronos Investment Group, Mazabi, Silicius Real Estate, Heracles, Dazia Capital, Merlin Properties, Sareb, Testa Residencial Socimi, Catella, Carrefour, Barclays Bank, BBVA, Banco Sabadell, ICBC, Metrovacesa, Acciona, Reyal Urbis, Valencia Club de Fútbol, Alcampo and Travelodge.
José Antonio Calleja has been recognized for his excellence in the real estate sector, achieving a Tier 3 ranking in Real Estate by Chambers & Partners. In addition, he was highlighted as one of the Top 50 Real Estate Dealmakers in Spain by Legal Dealmakers in 2022, underscoring his strong industry impact and consistent track record in complex transactions.
His clients include national and international real estate companies, REITs, investment funds, financial institutions, family offices and commercial players. Some of the companies he has advised include, among others: Amazon, CBRE Global Investors, Inbest Real Estate, Iroko Zen, Vapat, Inversiones Subel, Navis Capital, SCCE, McDonald’s, El Corte Inglés Real Estate, Mapfre Inmuebles, Generali Real Estate, Dachser Spain, Excem Real Estate, Leroy Merlin, Kronos Investment Group, Mazabi, Silicius Real Estate, Heracles, Dazia Capital, Merlin Properties, Sareb, Testa Residencial Socimi, Catella, Carrefour, Barclays Blank, BBVA, Banco Sabadell, ICBC, Metrovacesa, Acciona, and Reyal Urbis.
- Experience
Recent highlighted deals included advice to:
- Iroko Zen on several transactions in the Spanish market, including the acquisition of a commercial space in Seville (Parque Guadaíra), previously owned by Principal; the acquisition of a logistic centre in Zaragoza; and a sale & leaseback transaction involving a hotel building in Granada.
- Inbest GPF Socimi ("Inbest GPF") on the acquisition of an indirect c.30% stake in the company owning the property at Calle de María de Molina 50, Madrid. This transaction marks Inbest GPF’s entry into one of the largest office refurbishment projects currently underway in Madrid, which includes a residential development and a student residence.
- Mapfre Vida on the acquisition of the Ombú building in Madrid to Acciona.
- Vapat Inversiones Empresariales on the acquisition from Colonial of three prime office buildings in Madrid, located at 9 Almagro St., 56 José Abascal St., and 11 Miguel Ángel St. The assets comprise a total area of 35,000 sqm in some of the most prominent streets of the business district. Deal value: €300 million.
- Generali Real Estate on several transactions in Madrid, including the lease of an office building at Calle Orense 2 (13,500 sqm) to EY and the lease of a building at Calle Alcalá 21 (8,500 sqm) to Radisson Hotel Group for its refurbishment and the opening of a luxury hotel.
- Atalaya, Andbank’s investment fund managed by Navis Capital, on the purchase of Lanzarote Beach Hotel, located on the island of Lanzarote.
- Languages
- English
- Spanish
- Recognition
- Tier 3 in Real Estate by Chambers & Partners
- Highlighted as one of the Top 50 Real Estate Dealmakers in Spain by Legal Dealmakers, 2022.
- Education
- Law degree (Universidad Pontificia de Comillas - ICADE)
- Testimonials
"He is empathetic, follows up on all the issues and proposes different alternatives for the best resolution."
Chambers & Partners
"José Antonio Calleja searches for solutions and is very practical when presenting matters."
Chambers & Partners
"He meets all the expectations that a client requires."
Chambers & Partners
