Partner Hugues Moreau advises domestic and international operators on all legal issues involved in the real estate value creation chain: mergers & acquisitions, investment & divestments, property development, restructuring, asset management and financing transactions. His expertise encompasses the setting-up of joint ventures as well as of regulated (eg. OPCIs) and unregulated investment vehicles.

He splits his time between Gide Paris and London offices and is instructed on all classes of real estate assets (office buildings, retail premises and shopping centres, hotels, logistic platforms, residential, student housing, senior and care homes, leisure facilities, etc.) for a variety of institutional players (investors, developers, fund and asset managers, regulated RE management companies, etc.).

Since 2000, Hugues has been involved in number of acquisition, divestment and restructuring projects, for single assets and entire portfolios, real estate receivables and property holding companies. He has also been instructed on several major private-equity transactions in the industry (eg. involving developers and AMF regulated ManCos).

He is recognized as an expert in sale-and-leaseback transactions, as well as in real estate development and leasing operations.  

He regularly supports the French and international expansion of major retailers, particularly in the luxury and fashion industries.

Hugues is active in dispute resolution cases and represents his clients before civil and commercial courts.

Listed in both the M&A and Real Estate sections of Legal 500 EMEA, "Skillfull negotiator" and "always available", Hugues Moreau is described as having a "sharp understanding of the retail market" and being "very quick to understand issues".

He is quoted in the 2019 release as "excellent and very business-oriented" and "highly appreciated for his ability to advise clients on major strategic issues", and the 2020 issue mentions that Hugues "provides fast, very efficient and enjoyable services".  

"Following excellent market feedback", Hugues is also ranked as leading individual in Chambers Europe: "He has experience working for real estate investors and developers. Sources laud his client-oriented approach, with one impressed interviewee remarking: 'He knows how to present all the red flags in a way that doesn’t scare the board; he is always trying to bring a solution to a problem'".

Hugues is a French Foreign Trade Advisor (UK section).

« Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.'s stellar 40-lawyer team allows the firm to handle a high volume of transactions for a wide base of clients, including many leading French and international investors, developers and banks. The practice was recently involved in several landmark transactions, notably advising on high-end retail and residential portfolio deals. The practice also helped with the negotiation of strategic partnerships and advised on many major office and retail property asset transactions, as well as on new significant urban development projects and major lease negotiations. The property finance expertise also ranks among the finest in France and is entrusted by banks and investors to advise on the structuring of their largest transactions. Finally, the firm also undertakes complex corporate and fund formation work. Frédéric Nouel heads a practice which combines many experienced partners including: Stanislas Dwernicki, Eric Martin-Impératori, Renaud Baguenault de Puchesse, Bertrand Oldra, Christopher Szostak, Hugues Moreau, Jean-François Levraud and Nicolas Planchot . Kamel Ben Salah, Rémi Tabbagh and Laetitia Lemercier all provide high-end real estate property expertise. Counsel Constantin Miliotis is also recommended. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2020

« Hugues Moreau  joins this year's ranking following excellent market feedback. He has experience working for real estate investors and developers. Sources laud his client-oriented approach, with one impressed interviewee remarking: 'He knows how to present all the red flags in a way that doesn’t scare the board; he is always trying to bring a solution to a problem.' »
Chambers Europe 2020

« Gide Loyrette Nouel is praised for its ‘capability to go beyond typical real estate issues and advise on broader strategic and partnership matters’. The ‘responsive and efficient’ 50-lawyer team, which also has ‘an excellent proactive and solution-driven approach’, handles an impressive amount of high-profile investment and property finance deals each year, spanning the office, retail and logistics sectors thanks to its combination of top investment, finance and tax expertise. The group is retained by an outstanding domestic and international client base made up of top property investors and developers. [...] The practice is headed by Frédéric Nouel. Other key names include Renaud Baguenault de Puchesse, Eric Martin-Impératori, Stanislas Dwernicki, Bertrand Oldra, Christopher Szostak, the ‘excellent and very business-oriented’ Hugues Moreau, who is ‘highly appreciated for his ability to advise clients on major strategic issues’, and Nicolas Planchot, whose ‘leadership is central to successfully closing deals’. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2019

« Extremely well-regarded practice covering the full spectrum of real estate matters. Lawyers have expertise in finance, as well as in development, commercial leases and real estate funds. Represents all types of clients including financial institutions, developers and corporates. Acts on pan-European and cross-border mandates. Visible in a range of sectors including retail, offices, hotels and logistics.
One client describes the lawyers as 'thorough, effective, service-oriented and deal-oriented.' Another client praises the experience of the lawyers, saying: 'They are very hands-on and they have an experience that allow them to anticipate and come up with solutions we had not thought about.' Clients also appreciate the reactivity of the lawyers and the large scope of expertise at the firm: 'They have a mind-blowing reactivity, have all the competencies integrated at their firm, are good on a large number of topics and finally they are efficient.' »
Chambers Europe 2019