Matters

Real Estate Investment Manager – $57.5 Million New Jersey Hotel Financings

Represented a prominent real estate investment management firm on two senior mortgage loan financings aggregating $57.5 million, and secured by full service hotels in East Rutherford and Edison, New Jersey, including issues attendant to the implementation of a multi-million dollar property improvement plan.

FIT Investment Corporation – Manhattan Building Acquisition and Hotel Development

Represented FIT Investment Corporation in connection with the zoning analysis and acquisition of 45 East 33rd Street in New York City, and its redevelopment of the building into a 93,000-sq.-ft. hotel.

Centennial Bank – Loan to Extell Development for Deer Valley Ski Resort

Represented Centennial Bank an upsize of an existing loan to Extell Development Company for a total aggregate loan amount of $43.6 million for certain pre-development costs incurred by Extell in developing its 2,500+ acre Deer Valley, Utah property as a hotel/condominium/ski resort.

Legends Hospitality – Notre Dame

Represented Legends Hospitality in its partnership with Notre Dame and JMI Sports to oversee Notre Dame’s sales, marketing, hospitality, media rights and branding services nationally.

NFL Player – Rolling Stone Restaurant Joint Venture

Represented SFF Investments LLC, which is wholly owned by a current All-Pro NFL player, in a joint venture to create a Rolling Stone-branded restaurant and bar in Hollywood, CA.

Real Estate Developer – Hotel Management Agreements

Represented a real estate developer in negotiating hotel management agreements with respect to two properties on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

FIT Investment Corporation – Manhattan Office Building Acquisition and Hotel Development

Represented FIT Investment Corporation in connection with the zoning analysis and acquisition of 45 East 33rd Street in New York City for a hotel development.

Hotel des Artistes, Inc. v. Cafe des Artistes, Inc.

Represented the Hotel des Artistes in TTAB cancellation proceedings, which resulted in the Hotel des Artistes recovering the famous Cafe des Artistes trademark registrations. Hotel des Artistes, Inc. v. Cafe des Artistes, Inc. (TTAB 1999)

Hotel Developer – Construction Litigation

Represented New York City Hotel developer in construction litigation against general contractor.

Private Equity Fund – Branded Hotel Acquisition

Represented a private equity fund in the acquisition of a hotel in Houston, Texas.

Lender – Times Square Hotel Enforcement Action

Represented the lender of a $65 million loan to fund the acquisition of a Times Square area hotel following the alleged breach of a provision in the loan agreement requiring that a restaurant tenant servicing the hotel be opened to the public by a specific date. This litigation was ultimately settled favorably after hard fought litigation.

PCCP Capital – $65 Million Mortgage Financing for Luxury Hotel

Represented PCCP Capital, a real estate private equity firm in the origination of a $65 million loan used for the acquisition and repositioning of Cassa Hotel, a 165-room luxury hotel property in New York City.

Real Estate Investor – Utah Resort Acquisition

Represented a principal of a joint venture in the venture’s acquisition, from another of its principals, of a resort condominium in Deer Valley, Utah. In connection with the acquisition and future development of the resort, the joint venture also obtained up to $212 million in construction financing.

Legends Hospitality – Joint Venture Formation

Represented Legends Hospitality LLC - a joint venture among the Yankees, Dallas Cowboys and two private equity firms—in setting up business operations (which include running concession services at stadiums, arenas and other large venues), obtaining necessary permits and authorizations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Florida, and protecting the company's intellectual property rights.

Small Hotel Owners Association – Regulatory and Legislative Advice

Representation of the Small Hotel Owners Association in its dealing with the New York City government. We counsel the association and its members on how to respond to the city's efforts to regulate the industry. We negotiate legislation and zoning changes and advance the industry's interests before the relevant city agencies and elected officials.

Legends Hospitality – Senior Secured Credit Facility

Represented Legends Hospitality, LLC and Legends Premium Sales, LLC in connection with their senior secured credit facility consisting of a term loan and a revolving credit facility with a letter of credit and swing line subfacilities. Legends Hospitality provides sports and entertainment venues with food, beverage, merchandise and other hospitality services.

Hersha Hospitality Trust – $104 Million Union Square Hotel Acquisition

Represented Hersha Hospitality Trust in connection with its $104 million purchase of the Hyatt Union Square Hotel.

Toll Brothers – Joint Venture Development of Brooklyn Bridge Park

Advised Toll Brothers City Living, the urban development division of Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE: TOL), in its joint venture with Starwood Capital Group to develop a 550,000-sq.-ft. luxury hotel and residential complex at Brooklyn Bridge Park.