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Howard R. Shapiro has practiced commercial real estate law for more than 40 years, representing financial institutions, real estate opportunity funds, public and private REITS, private investors and developers in a variety of sophisticated real estate transactions. Howard has broad experience in the representation of investors and real estate operators in preferred equity investments, joint ventures, equity recapitalizations, acquisition and disposition of all classes of real estate, including multi-family, residential, commercial, retail, and hotels. Howard represents private equity investors in loan purchases and co-lending and intercreditor agreements, as well as both lenders and debtors in complex real estate loan work-outs and restructurings, acquisition and disposition of performing and distressed debt, and real property on both an individual and portfolio basis.

Concentrations

  • General real estate
  • Structured financing, including preferred equity investments and mortgage and mezzanine loans
  • Joint ventures and equity recapitalization
  • Property sales and acquisitions
  • Acquisition and disposition of distressed debt and property
  • Debt workouts and restructures
  • Loan sales and acquisitions
  • Co-Lender and intercreditor agreements

Capabilities

Experience

  • Representation of private real estate opportunity funds in connection with the acquisition of mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, and loan participations.
  • Representation of a developer in connection with the financing and recapitalization of development of a luxury residential condominium project in Tyson’s Corner.
  • Representation of a private equity fund in connection with the financing of acquisition of a portfolio of skilled nursing facilities.
  • Representation of private equity fund in connection with the acquisition of the Marigot Bay Resort in St. Lucia, through acquisition of existing debt and settlement with prior owner.
  • Representation of private equity fund in connection with the acquisition and financing of medical offices, student housing and multi-family residential projects.
  • Representation of joint venture comprised of Starwood Capital and Tribeca Associates in connection with the acquisition of property located on West 53rd Street in Manhattan  from Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. (OEH) and the New York Public Library (Donnell Branch) and development thereon of  the Baccarat Hotel and luxury condominium apartments.  The project included acquisition of excess development rights from the adjacent “21 Club”, and modification of an existing light and air easement from 666 Fifth Avenue to lift a height restriction that would have impacted the development.
  • Representation of the owners in the joint venture owning, developing and financing of the Nomad Hotel in New York.
  • Represented a joint venture comprised of Taconic Investment Partners, Jamestown Properties and the New York Common Retirement Fund in the sale of one of New York's largest office buildings, 111 Eighth Avenue, to a wholly owned subsidiary of Google - reported to be the largest single-asset sale in the United States in 2010 and the largest-ever acquisition by a tenant/user. 
  • Representation of a private real estate opportunity fund in the origination of mortgage and mezzanine loans to finance development of a mixed-use building in the meatpacking district of lower Manhattan and subsequent recapitalization of project resulting in conversion of debt into a controlling equity interest.
  • Representation of a private real estate investment fund in connection with the acquisition, restructure and recapitalization of a 365 unit luxury condominium and spa project in Manhattan, NY.
  • Representation of a private real estate opportunity fund in a joint venture acquisition of West Oaks Mall, a distressed regional mall located on approximately 100 acres in Houston, Texas and containing approximately 1,000,000 square feet of retail space.
  • Representation of SL Green Realty Corp. in the acquisition of One Madison Avenue from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
  • Acquisition and financing of 983 unsold condominium units in a 19 building complex located in Brooklyn, New York on behalf of a joint venture comprised of Taconic Investment Partners, Apollo Real Estate Advisors LP and Barclays Investments; representation of Taconic in the joint venture agreement with Apollo and Barclays.
  • Acquisition and financing of One Park Avenue on behalf of a joint venture comprised of SL Green Realty Corp. and a Canadian pension fund, and representation of SL Green Realty Corp. in the joint venture agreement with the pension fund.
  • Representation of SL Green Realty Corp. in connection with the acquisition of a portfolio consisting of a 1.1 million square foot office building located at 220 East 42nd Street and two commercial condominium units containing approximately 525,000 square feet at 125 Broad Street.

Recognition & Leadership

  • Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law, 2012-2024
  • Team Member, Chambers & Partners USA Real Estate Law Firm of the Year, 2010, 2013, 2017-2018, and 2022
  • Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, New York Metro Super Lawyers, 2010-2023
  • Team Member, a U.S. News - Best Lawyers®, "Law Firm of the Year" in Real Estate Law, 2015
  • Team Member, a Law360 "Real Estate Practice Group of the Year," 2011-2013, 2015, 2019, and 2022
  • Team Member, The Legal 500 United States, "Top Tier" Firm in Real Estate, 2013 and 2014
  • Listed, AVENUE magazine "Legal Elite," Real Estate Law, April 2011
  • Listed, Real Estate Weekly, "2008 All Stars," July 23, 2008
  • Rated, AV Preeminent® 5.0 out of 5.0

°AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM and Martindale-Hubbell NotableSM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards and policies.

  • Member, New York State Bar Association

Credentials

Education
  • J.D., cum laude, Brooklyn Law School
    • Senior editor, Brooklyn Law Review
  • B.S., cum laude, City University of New York at Brooklyn College
Admissions
  • New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York