Neil R. Shapiro, Partner

Represent a New York cooperative housing corporation on the sale of development rights by zoning lot merger.  The development rights will be used to facilitate the construction of a new condominium building. 

Represented Rabina Properties in the financing and development of an 855,000-sq.-ft. fulfillment center for Amazon in North Haven, CT.

Represented affiliates of MAXX Properties in their $116 million refinancing of a portfolio of six multifamily properties located in Colorado. The refinancing was insured by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Represented MAXX Properties in the sale of their portfolio of multifamily properties located in Omaha, Nebraska, which included a securitized loan defeasance. The transaction is the front-end of a 1031 tax-deferred exchange. MAXX Properties has retained Herrick in connection with the acquisition of the replacement property.

Represented an affiliate of the Community Preservation Corporation in the development of the 11.5-acre waterfront complex in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, that was formerly home to Domino Sugar. We advised on the site's rezoning, which resulted in one of the largest residential redevelopment projects in the city. We collaborated with Mayor Bloomberg's office, community leaders, and city and state departments and agencies on the design and development, and obtained approvals from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, the New York City Planning Commission, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Represented affiliates of Ascend Learning on three leasehold mortgages for its Brooklyn facilities, and the amendment of a lease for two of its other Brooklyn facilities.

Represented American Heritage Communities as borrower on a term and construction loan facility in connection with the development of an assisted living facility in Reading, PA.

Represented a partnership between affiliates of Rabina Properties and the Related Group in a joint venture with a fund managed by Perella Weinberg Partners to develop a high rise luxury condominium in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Represented M&T Bank in a $67 million acquisition and construction loan for the development of a 248-key Hilton Garden Inn at 6-10 Water Street.

Represented a joint venture between The Community Preservation Corporation, Morton Olshan of Mall Properties Inc., and Jeremiah O'Connor of The O'Connor Group, in the complete renovation and rehabilitation of the 171-building Parkchester condominium in the Bronx, New York, including the acquisition and financing of 6,361 unsold residential condominium units, 500,000 square-feet of retail and commercial space and five parking garages. Our work included government relations, land use, real estate and tax advice. The project required the cooperation of our clients, utility companies, state and city politicians, religious leaders and local residents, and included the passage of special legislation.

Represented a major real estate investment and service company in its acquisition and financing of a five-state, 14-property portfolio of residential rental and condominium apartment complexes. The portfolio was financed through 14 first mortgage loans and 12 mezzanine loans, culminating in a four-day closing.

Represented a joint venture between two major real estate companies in its $315 million acquisition and financing of a 43-property portfolio of office and commercial buildings in Long Island, New York.