GWL Acquires Calgary's First Canadian Centre

On September 24, 2005, GWL Realty Advisors Inc. a global real estate investment advisor completed the purchase of Calgary's First Canadian Centre on behalf of the GWL Real Estate Fund, London Life Real Estate Fund and two Pension Funds. The 500,000 square foot, class A office tower in downtown Calgary was acquired from the Bank of Montreal for $188 million. The property also includes a site for further development.

GWL was represented by Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP with a team that included Andrew Oppenheim, Lisa Buriak and Eli Abergel (real estate) and Bill Vanveen and Francois Baril (competition). The Bank of Montreal was represented by Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP with a team that included Craig Hill, Beth Vogel and Ken Stewart (real estate), and by Dan Edmondstone (competition) of Lang Michener LLP.