Leor Margulies

Leor Margulies

Partner, Robins Appleby LLP.

Leor Margulies has been a leader in the construction lending and development fields for over 40 years. He was recently awarded the 2021 Ontario Bar Association Award of Excellence in Real Estate.

As head of the Commercial Real Estate and Development Group, Leor heads up a team that represents financial institutions such as BMO, RBC, Laurentian Bank, Meridian Credit Union, MarshallZehr Group Inc. and Atrium Mortgage Investment Corporation on all forms of commercial and construction real estate lending. His lending team has structured and closed various complex, syndicated, and A/B structured loans that have helped developers build and sell numerous commercial and residential projects.He also leads a group that specializes in land and housing development representing both established and newer real estate developers and builders, such as HIP Development Group, the Sorbara Group, Sean Mason Homes, Adi Development Group, Aspen Ridge Homes and others, assisting them with Tarion related matters, project launches, construction agreements, and structuring real estate ownership vehicles. Within the housing development practice, he leads the condominium group, assisting in the construction, marketing, and sales of a range of condominiums, from common elements condominium projects to multi-residential/commercial ones and mixed use projects.

Leor and his condominium group have helped structure and sell many major multi-phase and mixed use condominium projects such as Elad’s Emerald City, Great Gulf’s 76-storey iconic One Bloor, and the Bazis’ twin green towers of Emerald Park. He ledthe Robins Appleby team 30 years ago in the completion of the transfers of the bulk of the developed and undeveloped portlands owned by the Toronto Port Authority (formerly the Toronto Harbour Commissioners) to TEDCO. This was a city agency responsible for managing and developing the Toronto port area for over 25 years until full control was ceded to Waterfront Toronto and CreateTO. Leor and Robins Appleby represented TEDCO during that time period, on the many development initiatives of the Portlands, including the construction and leasing of the Corus building and the lease arrangements on the Pinewood Studios.

Leor understands the innovative and sometimes controversial nature of the real estate industry. He makes it his practice to carefully examine every situation, no matter how complicated, from his clients’ business and legal perspectives. This vantage point, coupled with his legal expertise and years of experience as a lawyer and a BILD executive, enables Leor to offer valuable business and legal recommendations with confidence.

Clients appreciate Leor’s tenacity and entrepreneurial approach when it comes to finding solutions to all their real estate issues. He is also an ardent supporter of the residential construction industry, sitting on the BILD Board and Executive since 1999. He has served on numerous BILD/OHBA committees, many with strong interactions with Tarion and HCRA where he has developed excellent working relationships. He continues to be an ardent advocate for the residential land development and house construction industries in the GTA.

Leor brings passion and enthusiasm to everything he does. The care and dedication he has for his practice, clients and family can also be seen in his zeal for tennis, theatre, ballroom dancing, and equestrian riding. An avid tennis player, Leor can often be found playing with clients and confreres at the Bayview Golf & Country Club or watching the pros at the National Bank/Rogers Cup or Wimbledon. Clients, colleagues and staff alike all reap the benefits that come from Leor’s energy, keen interest and spirit.