Real Estate

The Firm’s Real Estate Group represents clients in purchasing, selling, developing, financing (on behalf of both lenders and borrowers) and leasing (on behalf of both landlords and tenants) real estate. Our clients include real estate investment trusts, developers, syndicators, high net worth individuals, brokerage firms, property management companies and other firms in which real estate is their primary business, as well as business enterprises in which real estate is an important component of, but ancillary to, their core businesses.

Leasing Transactions

Representation of a private Chicago‐based REIT, the owner of a number of first‐class office properties in Chicago’s Loop, in connection with ongoing leasing in several buildings aggregating 3.5 million square feet
Representation of a private California based REIT in the leasing of its Class A downtown Chicago office property comprised of over 2 million square feet
Representation of several restaurateurs, including Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. (for whom the Firm acts as general real estate counsel), in over 100 restaurant leases across the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean region
Representation of a prominent sports medicine and physical therapy provider in the leasing of locations throughout Chicago and its suburbs, as well as Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri and Iowa; and
Representation of two agencies of the Illinois Supreme Court (the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission and the Minimum Continuing Legal Board) in office leases in Chicago and Springfield

Financing Transactions

Representation of a national banking association in the financing, modification and workout of commercial real estate loans across the U.S. Recent transactions include a $9.75 million refinance term loan to a national developer secured by a portfolio of six retail properties in four states, and amendment and extension of an existing $29.2 million loan secured by a mixed use building in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Representation of major U.S. banks in mortgage transactions. Recent transactions include a $42.5 million loan to a national REIT for the acquisition of a hotel in Dallas, Texas and a $27.5 million construction loan for the renovation of a hotel in Aspen, Colorado
Representation of the private banking group of a multi‐national banking and financial services company in mortgage lending activities. Recent transactions include a $6 million loan to refinance a multifamily apartment building in Chicago
Representation of a suburban‐based regional bank in mortgage lending activities throughout the Chicago area. Representation of a closely‐held real estate investment company in the disposition of a portfolio of over 100 retail sites throughout the U.S.
Representation of the United States Treasury in 165 transactions totaling $1.7 billion in which Treasury loaned money to community banks throughout the U.S. to provide funds for real estate and other loans to small businesses

Acquisitions and Dispositions

Serving as outside general counsel to a Chicago‐based privately held REIT in its acquisitions and dispositions of shopping centers and office buildings around the U.S.
Representation of “fast casual” restaurant franchisee in the acquisition, including financing, of sites for development throughout the Chicago suburbs
Representation of a privately‐owned opportunity fund in the acquisition of several large apartment complexes in the Chicago suburbs
Representation of a manufacturing company in various leasing acquisition transactions, including one with the Mecklenburg County and the City of Huntersville, North Carolina in which the client constructed a 258,500 square foot industrial facility on 20 acres (also acquiring an additional 20‐acre parcel for future development). After the transaction, the company was sold for approximately $1 billion and the Firm continues to represent the family investment entity as landlord of the property and owner of the additional 20‐ acre parcel
Representation in the sale of the former Ambassador East Hotel in addition to the purchase and/or sale of various hotel sites in California, Illinois, Michigan and Brazil, including under flags such as Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Quality Suites and AmeriSuites
Serving as outside general counsel to real estate investors in acquisitions and dispositions of shopping centers, office buildings, hotels and other properties in Illinois, Florida, California, Hawaii and Wisconsin
Representation of a consortium of real estate investors in the sale of retail properties throughout the U.S. in connection with the liquidation of certain portfolios

Foreclosures, Receiverships and Workouts

Representation of a national real estate company in its capacity as receiver in several different receiverships, including the properties known as Block 37, River East and the Spire, in addition to numerous retail, office and industrial properties throughout the Chicagoland area. Such representation typically includes preparing and negotiating leases, vendor disputes, review and preparation of construction and vendor contracts and numerous litigation matters
Representation of numerous lending institutions in the commercial foreclosure of retail centers, hotels, office buildings and residential developments
Representation of lending institutions in note sales of properties in foreclosure

Real Estate

Our Real Estate Group Attorneys

Lawrence B. Swibel

Seth R. Berliner

Tom Buranosky

Michael E. Fox

Laurie A. Levin

Scott A. Schonfeld

Stephanie B. Shellenback

Everett S. Ward

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