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Mario Rubio

Partner

Vancouver
MRubio@blg.com
604.640.4119

Expertise

Kirsten Sandve

Practice Assistant

Vancouver
ksandve@blg.com
604.632.3499 x52084

Mario is a partner in BLG’s Vancouver office. He practices commercial real estate law, with a focus on acquisitions/sales, development and commercial leasing.

Mario acts for local, national and off-shore clients, including: 

  • Developers of mixed-use and multi-family properties;
  • Owners and developers of retail, office and industrial properties;
  • Retail chains;
  • Natural resource companies;
  • Housing societies; and
  • Non-profit entities.

He has experience drafting and negotiating purchase agreements (involving land, share and asset transactions), office, retail, industrial and ground leases, acquisition and construction financing documents, air space subdivision agreements and land development agreements for projects ranging from mixed-used developments to large industrial facilities.

Prior to joining BLG, Mario practiced in the Vancouver office of a large international law firm.

Experience

  • Acquisitions/Sales
    • The acquisition by Morguard Corporation of a 20 per cent interest in the Telus Garden office/retail building complex located in downtown Vancouver and the negotiation of related co-ownership, property management and asset management agreements in favour of Morguard.
    • The sale, lease and disposition of over C$400 million of land and water rights by a global mining company in Kitimat, British Columbia for the construction of the LNG Canada liquefied natural gas facility.
    • The acquisition by Bosa Properties of “Bristol Estates” in Surrey City Centre for C$170 million.
    • The acquisition by Bosa Properties of the 300,000 square foot Legacy Pacific Industrial Park in Chilliwack, British Columbia for C$100 million.
    • The air space subdivision and sale by Telus of an office building located in downtown Vancouver.
    • The acquisition by Canadian Urban Limited of a 72,000 square foot office/retail building located in downtown Vancouver. 
  • Development
    • The development, lease-up and sale of the 130,000 square foot First West Credit Union office/retail building in Langley, British Columbia.
    • Development and construction financing matters for Westbank in its role as a partner and development manager for Sen̓áḵw, an 11-tower, 6,000-unit residential rental development project located on a 10-acre reserve of the Squamish Nation.
    • The development of a 40-storey social housing tower with cultural uses in downtown Vancouver, including the negotiation of construction loan financing from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. 
  • Leasing
    • The negotiation of a ground lease for the construction and operation of a marine container logistics facility in the South Kaien Logistics Park in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
    • Acting as leasing counsel for a large national drug store chain in connection with its 80+ stores across Canada.
    • The negotiation of ground leases and complex land interests for a port authority.

Beyond Our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Member, Canadian Bar Association - Vancouver Real Property Subsection, former executive committee member (Co-chair)
  • Member, Law Society of British Columbia

Awards & Recognitions

  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2024) of The Best Lawyers in Canada™ (Real Estate Law) and since 2023 (Commercial Leasing Law).
  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2020) of Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Property Leasing).

Bar Admission & Education

  • British Columbia, 2011
  • JD, University of British Columbia, 2010
  • BA, University of British Columbia, 2006