Commercial Real Estate Group

Cummings & Lockwood’s Commercial Real Estate Group provides practical and sophisticated legal representation for our clients' varied real estate needs. With local, regional and national engagements ranging from real estate development, sales and acquisitions, joint ventures, portfolio transfers, and commercial and retail leasing to financing and litigation matters, our attorneys have experience on a wide spectrum of real estate transactions.

Our counsel, work product and commitment are valued by our clients. We serve:

• Commercial and residential developers
• Real estate and pension funds
• Hedge funds and private equity firms
• Institutional and private investors
• Banks, insurance companies and major financial institutions
• Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
• International corporations and businesses
• Universities and other educational and non-profit institutions
• Hospitals
• Municipalities and government entities
• Multigenerational families
• Privately-held businesses

Cummings & Lockwood has played an integral role in many of the major real estate developments in Connecticut over the last half-century. Our reach also extends to other parts of the northeast and Florida, where our engagements have encompassed numerous significant projects.

By drawing on the experience of attorneys in our corporate, finance, tax, litigation, bankruptcy and private clients practices, we offer integrated, comprehensive representation on a wide range of matters, including:

• Property acquisitions and sales
• Joint ventures and partnerships
• Mortgages and financings
• Commercial and retail leasing
• Shopping center and retail portfolios
• Multifamily residential and mixed-use developments
• Hotel, resort and hospitality ventures
• Major family estate assemblages
• Construction projects
• Research and laboratory facilities
• Ownership and debt entity structuring
• Franchise properties
• Corporate headquarters projects
• Real estate developments
• Acquisition and exchange offers
• UpREIT and downREIT transactions
• Environmental matters, brownfield development and related risk allocation and enforcement
• Environmental land use restrictions
• Financial services, trading exchange, hedge fund, private equity and venture capital transactions
• Real estate-related litigation and financing matters
• Real estate tax appeals

Cummings & Lockwood - The Choice for sophisticated legal counsel.

2023 Representative Matters

Cummings & Lockwood’s Commercial Real Estate Group served as counsel on numerous
transactions during 2023, representing a range of individual clients, companies and developers.
Some of our engagements included the following:

• We represented a national real estate developer in the acquisition and lease-up of a major office complex in downtown Stamford, Connecticut.
• We represented a leading private school in the acquisition of a substantial campus parcel in Greenwich, Connecticut.
• We represented a large family office in the renegotiation of its headquarters lease and the early termination of its satellite office location.
• We represented an international insurance company in its consolidation of several regional offices into a single headquarters location in downtown Darien, Connecticut.
• We represented a family trust in the restructuring of several ground lease locations in lower Fairfield County, Connecticut.
• We represented an investment syndicate in the net leasing of an entire office building to a private equity firm in downtown Greenwich, Connecticut.
• We represented a national real estate fund in the lease-up of three major office complexes totaling over 1.75 million square feet.
• We represented numerous private equity, hedge fund and venture capital firms in the relocation of their headquarters locations to lower Fairfield County, Connecticut.
• We represented a partner of a major regional real estate company in a complex restructuring of the entire company’s development, leasing, management and investment businesses.
• We represented an international private equity firm in numerous major lease transactions in one of the most substantial office properties in the State of Connecticut.
• We represented a publicly traded manufacturer of electronic and fiber optic connectors and its subsidiaries in multiple national office and industrial leases.

2022 Representative Matters

Cummings & Lockwood's Commercial Real Estate Group served as counsel on numerous transactions during 2022, representing a range of individual clients, companies and developers.  Some of our engagements included the following:

• We were engaged in numerous international hedge fund relocations from New York City to various headquarters sites in lower Fairfield County, Connecticut involving hundreds of millions of dollars in rent and additional jobs for the area.
• We represented family trusts owning two major retail parcels in southwestern Connecticut in a complex ground lease transaction to a NYSE global automobile company.  
• We represented one of the largest commercial real estate owners/developers in a major office complex acquisition in downtown Stamford, Connecticut.
• We represented a closely-held family business in the acquisition of a significant retail site in Greenwich, Connecticut.
• We represented one of the largest commercial real estate owners/developers in the State of Connecticut in the repositioning, refinancing and lease-up of three major office complexes in lower Fairfield County, totaling approximately 2 million rentable square feet.  
• We represented an international private equity firm in the redevelopment of a major metro office complex.  
• We represented a family in a substantial ground lease transaction involving a McLean, Virginia site to a major supermarket retailer.
• We were engaged by a leading educational institution to assist in the possible acquisition and subsequent financing of a 16.50 acre parcel in southern Fairfield County, Connecticut for campus expansion purposes.   
• We represented the buyer of a mixed-use restaurant and multi-family property in Greenwich, Connecticut.
• We represented the buyer of a multi-family building in New Haven, Connecticut.
• We represented a technology-based residential real estate brokerage firm in connection with its new lease and relocation of its Manhattan headquarters.
• We represented an expanding residential and commercial contractor in connection with its headquarter lease in Stamford, Connecticut.
• We served as Connecticut local counsel for numerous portfolio financings and acquisitions with multiple properties located in Connecticut.
• We represented major institutional owners (both private and publicly held) in connection with the construction, leasing, management and financing of large commercial projects containing millions of square feet of office space, apartments and storage units.
• We represented a NYSE-listed REIT in multiple asset refinancings and several proposed downREIT transactions in New York and Connecticut.
• We represented a major private equity real estate investor group in the construction and financing of a new 290 apartment unit development in Stamford, Connecticut.
• We served as national and local real estate and environmental counsel to a number of developers, corporate owners and family offices, including for remediation and environmental land use restriction matters.
• We represented a Charleston-based private real estate fund in connection with various acquisitions and financings.
• We represented multiple owners of retail, office and industrial properties in connection with the negotiation of COVID-related provisions in new and existing leases.
   

2021 Representative Matters

Cummings & Lockwood's Real Estate Group served as counsel on numerous transactions during 2021, representing a range of individual clients, companies and developers.  Some of our engagements included the following:

• We represented major institutional owners (both private and publicly held) in connection with the construction, leasing, management and financing of large commercial projects containing millions of square feet of office space.
• We represented a national real estate owner/developer in the $250 million refinancing of a significant, multi- tenant office complex in lower Fairfield County, Connecticut.
• We represented a national real estate owner/operator in the relocation of a major international tobacco company's Park Avenue, New York headquarters to lower Fairfield County, Connecticut.
• We represented a NYSE-listed REIT in multiple asset refinancings and several proposed downREIT transactions in New York.
• We represented a major private equity real estate investor in its restructuring and lease-up of a trophy office complex in Stamford, Connecticut.
• We represented a commercial landlord joint venture in a major headquarters lease for one of the largest block chain and digital currency investment groups in the country, bringing over 300 jobs to southern Connecticut.
• We represented a leading pharmaceutical company in numerous substantial office and laboratory projects In Connecticut, New York City, Denver and San Francisco.
• We represented a commercial real estate investment, management and brokerage firm in the leasing and renovation of a 650,000 square foot trophy office complex in Stamford, Connecticut.
• We represented a national real estate investor group in the marketing and sale of a net-leased water-front, mixed-use complex in Westport, Connecticut.
• We represented a major real estate fund in the condominiumization, marketing and sale of a mixed-use office and residential project.
• We represented a family trust in the marketing and ground leasing of a major retail property in Virginia.
• We represented a regional real estate developer in the acquisition of a major multi-family project located in Connecticut.
• We represented a northeast-based university in various projects, including a major technology innovation center with an international telecommunications company, numerous cell tower projects, and the proposed acquisition of another university institution located in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
• We represented a family ownership group in connection with the redevelopment of a prominent Fairfield County shopping center, including the refinancing of a $45 million construction loan, modification of the mixed-use components of the development, and the eviction of multiple holdover tenants.
• We served as national and local real estate and environmental counsel to a number of developers, corporate owners and family offices, including for remediation and environmental land use restriction matters.
• We represented a real estate investment and operating company in the sale of two multi-family apartment buildings in Hartford, Connecticut.
• We represented an area developer franchisee company in the acquisition of a new franchise territory and existing stores for a national coffee chain in Texas.
• We represented a Charleston-based private real estate fund in connection with various acquisitions and financings.
• We represented the owners of an existing shopping center in the formation of a new joint venture to develop a mixed-use project in Darien, Connecticut.
• We represented the owner of a retrofitted corporate headquarters campus in an internet auction of the property.
• We represented multiple owners of retail, office and industrial properties in connection with the negotiation of COVID-related provisions in new and existing leases.
• We represented a lender in a mortgage loan to a borrower that was acquiring a distillery out of bankruptcy proceedings.
• We represented a commercial real estate investment, management and brokerage firm in the repositioning and leasing of a water-front office complex in Stamford, Connecticut.
• We represented the buyer in the acquisition of a property in Greenwich, Connecticut, to be developed into multiple single-family homes.
• We represented the developer in obtaining a construction loan for the development of a multifamily property, including a subsequent modification to increase the initial loan amount.
• We represented an internet-based real estate agency in the leasing of its first retail spaces in Westchester and Brooklyn.
• We represented the landlord in connection with a major headquarters lease in Stamford, Connecticut, for the U.S. management company of a French insurance giant.
• We represented the landlord in connection with the headquarters lease of 415,266 rentable square feet in Stamford, Connecticut, for a global entertainment company.

2020 Representative Matters

Cummings & Lockwood's Real Estate Group served as counsel on numerous transactions during 2020, representing a range of individual clients, companies and developers.  Some of our engagements included the following:

• We represented major institutional owners (both private and publicly held) in connection with the construction, leasing, management and financing of large commercial projects containing millions of square feet of office space.

• We represented a major pharmaceutical company in numerous substantial office and laboratory projects In Connecticut, New York City, Denver and San Francisco.
• We represented a commercial real estate investment, management and brokerage firm in the leasing and renovation of a 650,000 square foot trophy office complex.
• We represented a national real estate investor group in the marketing and sale of a net-leased water-front, mixed use complex in Westport, Connecticut.
• We represented a major real estate fund in the refinancing, condominiumization, marketing and sale of an office and residential project.
• We represented a family trust in the marketing and ground leasing of a major retail center in Virginia.
• We represented a national energy company in the leasing of various office locations in Connecticut, Florida, Texas and Utah.
• We represented a regional real estate developer in the acquisition of a major multi-family project located in Connecticut.
• We represented a national real estate owner/developer in the acquisition and financing of a significant, multi-tenant office complex in lower Fairfield County, Connecticut.
• We represented a northeast-based university in various projects, including a major technology innovation center with an international telecommunications company and the proposed acquisition of another university institution located in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
• We represented a family-owned commercial real estate firm in connection with its $150 million refinancing of a major office, retail and transportation complex in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
• We represented a family ownership group in connection with the redevelopment of a prominent Fairfield County shopping center, including the refinancing of a $45 million construction loan, modification of the mixed-use components of the development, and the eviction of multiple holdover tenants.
• We provided advice relating to several proposed opportunity zone investments, including negotiation of a master lease and sublease involving a 486,000 square foot mixed use project in Stamford, Connecticut.
• We served as national and local real estate and environmental counsel to a number of developers, corporate owners and family offices, including for remediation and environmental land use restriction matters.
• We represented tenant-in-common owners in the proposed sale of a parcel in Stamford, Connecticut, leased to a private school.
• We represented a real estate investment and operating company in the sale of two multi-family apartment buildings in Hartford, Connecticut.
• We represented an area developer franchisee company in the acquisition of a new franchise territory and existing stores for a national coffee chain in Texas.
• We closed the rollup and consolidation of six commercial real estate properties capitalized with $28 million of equity in the Charleston, South Carolina area.
• We represented a regional real estate investment company in the restructuring of its industrial property portfolio.
• We represented a NYSE-listed REIT in multiple asset refinancings and a proposed downREIT acquisition in New York.
• We closed an $11 million project finance loan and negotiated $15 million in related construction contracts for a major New York golf club renovation project.

2019 Representative Matters

Cummings & Lockwood's Real Estate Group served as counsel on numerous transactions during 2019, representing a range of individual clients, companies and developers.  Some of our 2019 engagements included the following:

• We represented major institutional owners (both private and publicly held) in connection with the construction, leasing, management and financing of large commercial projects containing millions of square feet of office space.
• We represented a joint venture in the $350 million lease of a 400,000 square foot headquarters for an international entertainment and media company in lower Fairfield County.
• We represented a national real estate investor group in the marketing and sale of a net-leased headquarters building in a 700,000 square foot water-front office complex in Stamford, Connecticut.
• We represented a major real estate fund in the refinancing, condominiumization, marketing and sale of a water-front, mixed-use project.
• We represented a family estate in the marketing and sale of a large, mixed-use retail portfolio in New York.
• We represented a national energy company in the leasing of various office locations in Connecticut, Florida, Texas and Utah.
• We represented a regional real estate developer in the refinancing of three major office and mixed-use properties located in Connecticut.
• We represented a national real estate owner/developer in the acquisition of a significant, multi-tenant office complex in lower Fairfield County.
• We represented a northeast-based university in the redevelopment of various campus projects, including a major technology innovation center with an international telecommunications company, and a cell tower project.
• We represented a family-owned commercial real estate firm in connection with its $150 million refinancing of a major office, retail and transportation complex in Greenwich, Connecticut.
• We represented a local family in connection with the redevelopment of a prominent shopping center, including the negotiation of a $45 million construction loan, guaranteed maximum price construction contract, and eviction of multiple holdover tenants.
• We structured and closed the rollup and consolidation of six commercial real estate properties capitalized with $28 million of equity in the Charleston, South Carolina area.
• We represented the seller of a portion of a Stamford, Connecticut corporate campus to a national developer of independent and assisted living facilities.
• We represented a local developer in connection with the negotiation of a joint venture to develop a 486,000 square foot mixed use project in Stamford located in an opportunity zone.
• We represented a NYSE-listed REIT in multiple asset and downREIT acquisitions in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.
• We represented a variety of owners and tenants in connection with various office, retail and special use property leases, including a lease of a 6.5 acre campus to a private, for-profit school in Stamford, Connecticut.
• We served as national and local real estate and environmental counsel to a number of developers, corporate owners and family offices, including for remediation and environmental land use restriction matters.
• We represented a commercial real estate investment, development and management firm in separate $8 million and $16.6 million refinancings from First County Bank of two commercial office properties in Stamford, Connecticut.
• We represented a shopping center family ownership group in a $45 million construction loan from Trez Capital to redevelop the shopping center into a mixed-use retail and multifamily residential project.
• We represented a commercial real estate investment and management firm  in the $17.5 million sale of the mixed-use National Hall project in Westport, Connecticut.
• We represented tenant-in-common owners in the $12.4 million sale of a portion of 201 High Ridge Road in Stamford, Connecticut, to be developed into a senior-living project.
• We represented a commercial real estate investment, management and brokerage firm in the general leasing of a 650,000 square foot trophy office complex.

2018 Representative Matters

Cummings & Lockwood's Real Estate Group served as counsel on numerous transactions during 2018, representing a range of individual clients, companies and developers.  Some of our 2018 engagements included the following:

• We represented a joint venture in the refinancing of a $78 million mortgage loan secured by a 700,000 square foot office park in lower Fairfield County.
• We represented a family estate in the marketing and sale of a mixed use commercial and retail portfolio in New York.
• We represented a major real estate investor in the acquisition of a 800,000 commercial office and retail complex in lower Fairfield County.
• We represented a higher educational institution in the leasing and creation of a technology innovation center with an international telecommunications company.
• We represented a national commercial real estate fund on its headquarters and satellite office leasing in various facilities throughout the country.
• We represented a major energy company in the leasing and construction of its headquarters.
• We represented a national real estate investment group in the acquisition and financing of an office complex in lower Fairfield County.
• We advised a $3 billion company in the sale, reconstruction and leaseback of its international headquarters.  
• We represented a real estate fund in the acquisition, financing and repositioning of a waterfront office/residential project.
• We represented an investor group in the marketing and sale of a major office, retail and headquarters site in southern Connecticut.
• We represented the owners of a local shopping center in connection with the redevelopment of such center, including equity and debt negotiations, tenant relocations and construction contracts.
• We represented a NYSE-listed REIT in various asset and downREIT acquisitions, joint ventures and refinancings.
• We provided assistance with the development, financing and operation of various independent and assisted living facilities.
• We served as national and local real estate and environmental counsel to a number of developers, corporate owners and family offices, including for remediation and environmental land use restriction matters.
• We negotiated various construction documents on behalf of various hospitals and developers in Connecticut.

2017 Representative Matters

Cummings & Lockwood's Real Estate Group served as counsel on numerous transactions during 2017, representing a range of individual clients, companies and developers.  Some of our 2017 engagements included the following:

• We represented a major educational institution in the acquisition of a 43-acre international hedge fund’s world headquarters site, in one of the largest headquarters purchases in Connecticut.

• We represented the largest publicly-traded REIT in the New York metropolitan area in various commercial lease and purchase transactions in Connecticut.
• We represented a national real estate fund in the leasing and financing of a major, mixed-use waterfront property.
• We represented two institutional, national real estate firms owning and/or controlling over 37 million square feet of space on numerous construction, development, leasing and other commercial real estate transactions.
• We served as lead counsel to a developer/majority owner of a major ski resort on various financing and real estate-related transactions.
• We served as real estate and environmental counsel to a number of developers and Fortune 100 and 200 companies in the construction, operation, financing, purchase and sale of numerous properties, including various headquarters sites and brownfield projects in Connecticut, New York, Georgia, Utah, South Carolina and other parts of the country.
• We represented a NYSE-listed REIT in various asset and downREIT acquisitions, joint ventures, redemptions and refinancings involving projects located in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
• We represented numerous hedge funds, private equity firms and financial services companies in the leasing and construction of their headquarters and other facilities.
• We represented a family estate in the marketing and sale of a major commercial and retail portfolio for future redevelopment.
• We represented a significant family in the marketing and sale of one of the largest tracts of undeveloped real estate in Greenwich, Connecticut.
• We represented a privately-held real estate group in the acquisition of a 149 year ground lease of a large downtown Stamford, Connecticut parcel to be developed as rental units.
• We negotiated numerous joint venture agreements involving the acquisition and development of numerous office and industrial properties in New England and South Carolina.
• We represented a private real estate fund in the acquisition and development of a luxury hotel in Park City, Utah.
• We represented a number of hospitals and developers in Connecticut in connection with the negotiation of various types of construction agreements.

2016 Representative Matters

• We represented a major University in the acquisition of a 66-acre Fortune 100 company's world headquarters site, in one of the largest commercial real estate purchases in Connecticut.
• We represented a national real estate developer owning and/or controlling over 12 million square feet of space on numerous, construction, development, leasing and other commercial real estate transactions.
• We represented a national real estate fund in the restructuring and ground leasing of a major, mixed-use waterfront property.
• We represented a regional automotive company in the sale and leaseback of its real estate portfolio, along with the sale of its assets and goodwill, to a publicly-traded, NYSE company.
• We represented the largest publicly-traded REIT in the New York metropolitan area in various commercial lease and purchase transactions in Connecticut.
• We served as lead counsel to a developer/majority owner of a major ski resort on various financing and real estate-related transactions.
• We served as lead counsel on the sale of a substantial commercial office ground lease site near Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, Connecticut, in a record setting transaction.
• We served as real estate and environmental counsel to a number of developers and Fortune 100 and 200 companies in the construction, operation, financing, purchase and sale of numerous properties, including various headquarters sites and brownfield projects in Connecticut, New York, Georgia, Utah, South Carolina and other parts of the country.
• We represented a NYSE-listed REIT in various asset and downREIT acquisitions, joint ventures, redemptions and refinancings involving projects located in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
• We represented numerous hedge funds, private equity firms and financial services companies in the leasing and construction of their headquarters and other facilities.
• We represented the owners of 31 medical office buildings who contributed such properties to a healthcare upREIT in a tax-advantaged transaction.
• We represented a national real estate developer in the ground lease and construction of a significant healthcare facility.
• We represented a family estate in the marketing and sale of a major commercial and retail portfolio for future redevelopment

Alerts & Updates

• 2023 Cummings & Lockwood Firmwide Annual Update
• 2022 Cummings & Lockwood Firmwide Annual Update
• 2020 Cummings & Lockwood Annual Update
• 2019 Cummings & Lockwood Annual Update
• New IRS Guidance on Opportunity Zone Investments

Articles

• Pandemic-Related Issues in Commercial Leases

Brochures

• Sophisticated Legal Services for Individuals and Families, Family Offices, Privately-Held Businesses and Charitable Entities

News & Press Releases

• 41 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Have Been Recognized by Best Lawyers® in America in Its 2025 Edition
• 42 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Have Been Recognized by Best Lawyers® in America in Its 2024 Edition
• 29 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Named Best Lawyers® in Connecticut for 2023
• Stamford Office - 2023 Best Lawyers in America® and Ones to Watch™
• 41 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Have Been Recognized by Best Lawyers® in America in Its 2023 Edition
• 12 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Have Been Recognized as Connecticut Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in 2022
• Cummings & Lockwood LLC Recognized as a “Best Law Firm” by Best Lawyers and U.S. News & World Report
• Joseph Cessario Joins Cummings & Lockwood as a Residential and Commercial Real Estate Principal
• 18 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Named Top Lawyers in Fairfield County, Connecticut in 2021
• Five Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Recognized as “Ones to Watch” in 2021 by The Best Lawyers in America
• 35 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys in Connecticut and Florida Have Been Named Among The Best Lawyers in America for 2021, 2 Attorneys Received Lawyer of the Year Awards and 8 Attorneys Have Been Identified as the Ones to Watch
• Cummings & Lockwood's Connecticut and Florida Offices Ranked as Best Law Firms in 2021
• 24 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Named in the 2020 Edition of Connecticut’s Best Lawyers
• Cummings & Lockwood Assists with the Refinancing of Greenwich Plaza, One of the Largest Commercial Real Estate Financings in Fairfield County in 2019
• Cummings & Lockwood Connecticut and Florida Offices Ranked as Best Law Firms in 2020
• 16 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Have Been Named 2019 New England Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
• 34 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys in Connecticut and Florida Named Among The Best Lawyers in America for 2020
• Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Represent Owner in One of the Largest Commercial Lease Transactions in Fairfield County Over the Last 25 Years
• Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys in Connecticut and Florida Named 2019 Best Lawyers in America
• 17 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Have Been Named 2018 New England Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
• Jonathan B. Mills Presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award
• 17 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Have Been Named 2017 Connecticut Super Lawyers and 2017 Rising Stars
• Cummings & Lockwood Provides Legal Representation on Two Commercial Real Estate Transactions Nominated for Connecticut Lease of the Year by NAIOP
• Cummings & Lockwood Selected as "Best Law Firm" by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers
• 16 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Have Been Named 2016 Connecticut Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
• 21 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys in Connecticut and Florida Named 2017 Best Lawyers in America

Videos

• Introduction to Cummings & Lockwood’s Commercial Real Estate Group