Aaron Bowler

Partner and National Business Leader, Commercial Real Estate

Calgary
ABowler@blg.com
403.232.9489

Aaron Bowler is a prominent leader in Canada's commercial real estate sector, widely recognized for his role in high-profile, transformative transactions across the country. As a trusted advisor to institutional investors, pension funds, REITs, family offices and private equity enterprises, Aaron consistently delivers innovative solutions and strategic counsel that drive exceptional outcomes for our clients.

Renowned for his results-driven approach, Aaron plays a pivotal role in the development, financing, purchase and sale of all real estate asset classes, including shopping centres, railways, data centres, hotels, resorts, office buildings, sports facilities, transportation infrastructure, and oil and gas infrastructure (up- and down-stream). Aaron leads several client teams and portfolio and multi-jurisdictional transactions. His extensive expertise also includes commercial leasing and project development, where his knowledge and experience in rail real estate and rail regulatory matters positions him as a leader in this niche area of Canadian law.

Clients such as Parkland Corporation, Morguard Corporation, InnVest Hotels, Northcrest Properties, Ivanhoé Cambridge, Harmony Beef, pension funds and financial institutions rely on Aaron's unparalleled ability to anticipate and mitigate risks on complex matters to achieve their transactional and strategic opportunities.

Aaron's expertise and leadership are recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada; Lexpert® Special Edition: Infrastructure; The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory; Who's Who Legal; and Chambers Canada, underscoring his standing as a preeminent commercial real estate lawyer in Canada. These accolades reflect his commitment to delivering exceptional service to our clients and his unwavering dedication to their businesses and strategic objectives.

 

Aaron provides legal services through a Law Corporation.

Experience

  • Purchase and financing of Canadian Western Bank Place and non-contiguous 5-story parkade - 10303 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta
  • Leads our team for Harmony Beef Company, Ltd. Harmony operates the beef industry's most modern, state-of-the-art processing and fabrication facility, produces high quality beef for Canadian and international markets, and employees more than 425 people in Alberta
  • Commercial real estate and regulatory advice to rail matters
  • Commercial real estate advice to Temple Hotels Inc., including acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and expropriation matters
  • Commercial real estate advice to Morguard Corporation including acquisitions and financings
  • Commercial real estate advice to Lanesborough Real Estate Investment Trust, including acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and insolvency matters
  • Advise Alvarez & Marsal on real estate matters pertaining to the Reid-Built Homes CCAA proceedings
  • Numerous financings and re-financings in Banff National Park, Alberta
  • Sale of St. Albert Mall, Deerfoot Mall, Sunridge Mall and Millwoods Town Centre by Ivanhoe Cambridge
  • Purchase, financing and development of a one-half undivided interest in a large multi-property industrial development in Calgary and Rocky View County, Alberta
  • Purchase of a large hotel in Banff National Park, Alberta
  • Purchase of Sun Life Plaza, Calgary, Alberta
  • Purchase and financing of Encana Place, Calgary, Alberta
  • Purchase and financing of Bell Tower and Oxford Tower, Edmonton, Alberta
  • Numerous construction financing matters for The Toronto-Dominion Bank
  • Oxford Properties Sale of Northport Business Park

Beyond our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Advisory Board Member, Practical Law Canada
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association
  • Member, The Law Society of Alberta
  • Member, The Law Society of Manitoba
  • Member, the Manitoba Bar Association

Awards & Recognitions

  • Recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada (Commercial Leasing Law)
  • Recognized in the 2025 edition of Chambers Canada – Canada's Leading Lawyers for Business (Real Estate (Alberta)).
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition of Lexpert® Special Edition: Infrastructure.
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition of Who's Who Legal (Hospitality).
  • Recognized in the 2023 edition (and since 2022) of the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Property Leasing), 2020-2019 (Property Leasing) and 2024, 2020, 2019 Transportation (Road & Rail).

Bar Admission & Education

  • Alberta, 2008
  • Manitoba, 2002
  • LLB, University of Manitoba, 2001