Negotiated operating agreements for real estate and renewable energy projects with respect to the formation of limited liabiltiy companies.
Commercial & Residential Development
The development of real property is at the very core of any real estate practice and encompasses a multitude of disciplines. Clark Hill has the experience and depth to provide the panoply of services necessary to bring a project to a successful conclusion. Clients who rely upon our attorneys for their development needs include regional and national developers, home builders, retailers, manufacturers, and non-profit corporations. Our clients’ projects include residential and commercial subdivisions and condominiums, multi-family affordable housing, planned unit developments, mixed-use projects, shopping centers, office developments, industrial parks, hotels, and recreational and entertainment venues. We take the project from initial acquisition, through project financing, sales and leasing, and disposition. We are with our clients every step of the way as needed.
Our attorneys will provide our clients with practical experience, resulting in manageable expectations. Our due diligence efforts and support address issues involving environmental liability, conditions of title and insured risks, surveys, financing, tax incentives, governmental approvals, and permitting.
The advantage we provide to our real estate clients is the bench strength of more than 300 attorneys multi-disciplined in virtually every area of law being accessible as needed for your project. This full-service approach gives you the benefits of one-stop shopping and quicker turn-around time while maintaining a coordinated awareness of the many issues at hand.
Some examples of recent projects include:
- Redevelopment of the iconic Argonaut Building in Detroit at a project cost more than $150,000,000 through a multi-layered tax credit transaction involving State and Federal Historic Tax Credits, New Market Tax Credits, Brownfield Tax Credits, tax increment financing, tax abatement, tax-exempt bonds and equity and construction financing
- Redevelopment and expansion of a nearly 400 unit senior living campus in Grand Rapids through Economic Development Revenue Bonds for a nonprofit owner/operator
- Acquisition, leasing, and development of multiple nationally recognized franchised restaurants for both franchisors and franchisees
- Development of more than 30 single-family and multi-family projects in Southeastern Michigan having a value of more than $200,000,000 for one of the nation’s largest home builders
- Development of multi-building condominium complex in Troy, Michigan as the headquarters for a first-tier automobile supplier
Experience
Has significant experience in land use and zoning disputes, easement disputes, breach of contract, business fraud, co-owner disputes, landlord-tenant, condominium, and tenancy-in-common matters.
Represented clients in complex development transactions involving inclusionary-housing credit swaps with affordable housing developers, and with respect to entitlement of projects facing community opposition. Also represented numerous parties in the negotiation and drafting of leases for office, retail and industrial uses.
Regional representation of numerous shopping center owners and developers in the development, construction, financing and leasing of their projects, including the negotiation and drafting of complex leaseholds with national anchor tenants.
Advised clients in due diligence investigations on complex future environmental risks that are likely to impact the economics of a transaction
Performed a pesticide due diligence review of a client’s sale of a subsidiary which manufactured and sold fertilizers, nutrients and registered pesticides. During the due diligence investigation, an unresolved “show cause letter” from EPA’s pesticide enforcement office alleging that the subsidiary was selling unregistered pesticides was uncovered. The scope of the potential liability was narrowed sufficiently to allow the transaction to close and EPA eventually decided not to pursue the enforcement action
Performed due diligence on a client’s planned acquisition of another sulfuric acid manufacturing facility
Advised clients engaged in acquisitions of the potential implications of GHG emission limits and regulatory programs
Provided bounding estimates on the future remediation costs during environmental due diligence on a “to be acquired“ company
The Split Ring sculpture, by Clement Meadmore, will return to downtown Grand Rapids in June 2016. It originally sat outside the Frey building before being moved to Woodland Mall. The sculpture is now returning to downtown after almost 50 years. Steve Stapleton and Ingrid Jensen worked on the negotiations and contracts to bring this iconic piece back to the heart of downtown.
Represent national real estate company in various contract and business tort disputes, including not only litigation but advising on pre-litigation strategies and cost beneficial approaches
Defended coal mining company against claims for statutory violations, breach of implied contract/unjust enrichment, breach of contract, negligence, misrepresentation, unfair trade practices, trespass in property damage and subsidence actions by landowners
Represent and defend substantial real estate developer and owner against large scale mechanic’s lien claims surrounding work and improvements performed by tenant
Successfully defended coal mining company in state court litigation by land owners, involving breach of contract, fraud and civil conspiracy claims in connection with lease disputes
Representation of non-profit corporations in a wide array of zoning and land-use matters.
Representation of developers in joint ventures and real estate limited partnerships.
Redevelopment of the iconic Argonaut Building in Detroit, Michigan at a project cost in excess of $150,000,000 through a multi-layered tax credit transaction involving State and Federal Historic Tax Credits, New Market Tax
Preparation and negotiation of AIA Contracts on behalf of owner with respect to general contractors, engineers and architects
Representation of purchasers and sellers in the acquisition and disposition of real property
Representation of local and regional lenders in sophisticated lending transactions, including multi-family housing and shopping center loans, nursing home accounts receivable lending, senior and mezzanine finance, construction loans, and asset based lending
Represented and counseled a not for profit developer in the establishment of a development joint venture in the construction of a 96 unit Section 42 federal tax credit low income senior housing facility
Representation of investment companies in 1031 exchanges and tenant in common agreements
Representation of Michigan developer in all aspects including condominium documentation, negotiation of purchase contracts, closings and tax appeals at the local level and state level
Represented commercial development client in the development of over 200,000 square feet of commercial retail strip centers located in the Chicago metropolitan area. Responsible for land acquisition, site planning/design; government entitlements; (zoning/incentives); analysis and procurement of project financing, and construction management. Utilized various economic development tools to improve profitability such as real estate tax rebates (class 8) and tax increment financing
Represented local municipality in the creation of a not for profit development entity to facilitate the development of a $500 million dollar comprehensive redevelopment plan to accommodate the acquisition and development of land for a multi carrier cargo development plan
Representation of landlords and tenants in negotiation of leases for multi-use buildings, industrial and office space
Representation of private companies, including a local real estate investment fund raising equity to purchase multi-family properties in the Chicagoland area, in the preparation of private placement memoranda and subscription documents under Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933
Represented a private equity fund to establish an immigrant investor fund for the investment in real estate and/or mid-market with a funding goal of $100 million dollars
Represented developer in the acquisition and development of 300 acres of industrial land in the southern suburbs of Chicago with a value of $20 million dollars. Coordinated the preparation of a redevelopment plan for the area targeting land acquisition; brownfield assessment/cleanup; site planning/design; development/ project finance; training /job creation with a goal of attracting environmentally safe and non invasive businesses to the industrial area
Represented development joint venture consisting of private equity firm and real estate developer for the development and construction of quick service restaurants throughout the United States
Represented fund in designing and structuring the real estate investment models to accommodate raising foreign investment capital to be blended with other investment incentives such as New Market Tax Credits, Tax Increment Financing and other incentive based programs
Provide legal representation to several small business owners, developers and franchisees in the development of single site properties (gas stations and quick service restaurants) with a focus on land acquisition, annexation, easements (utilities) government entitlements, leasing and construction matters
Represented a local municipality and economic development group in obtaining the first State of Illinois single community Redevelopment Authority with bonding authority of $200 million dollars
Lead counsel for various retail shopping plaza owners in multiple counties. Draft leases and amendments and enforce landlord rights
Lead defense counsel in dispute over lease of warehouse involving over $1 million in claims. Filed motion for summary judgment leading to successful resolution of action
Represented local and national real estate developers in multi-million dollar breach of commercial contract/lease actions against landowners and tenants
Represent national title company in litigation matters involving alleged title defects, tort claims and contractual disputes
Representation of several high-profile hospitality groups in connection with the development, sale, purchase, financing, refinancing, leasing and management, as applicable, of many prominent restaurants and taverns located in Western Pennsylvania and the surrounding area
Representation of many local, regional and national retailers in connection with their purchase and/or lease of real property, equipment and inventory, as well as in connection with the day-to-day operation and management of their business affairs