Robert J. Ivanhoe

• Representation of the asset management unit of Seoul, Korea-based Mirae Asset Financial Group in the $5.8 billion acquisition of a 15-hotel portfolio in the United States from Anbang Insurance Group Co., marking the single-highest price tag for an overseas alternative investment by a Korean company. The luxury hotels included JW Marriott Essex House New York, The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, Montage Laguna Beach, Four Seasons Silicon Valley, Hotel Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Four Seasons Arizona, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, InterContinental Chicago, InterContinental Miami, and The Westin St. Francis San Francisco. The acquisition was also subject to CFIUS clearance and other closing conditions, all of which were handled by GT. This cross-border deal fully utilized the firm’s global network with U.S.-based attorneys partnering closely with the firm’s real estate team in Asia to execute the deal for the client. As with many deals during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were major impacts on the outcome of this transaction. The transaction was set to close in early 2020, however in April Anbang sued Mirae for failing to close the deal, which resulted in Mirae countersuing. The litigation resulted in Delaware Chancery Court Vice Chancellor Travis Laster finding that, pursuant to the Sale Purchase Agreement, Mirae had the right to terminate the transaction due to (i) failure of the seller to comply with the ongoing “ordinary course” obligation to conduct the business in accordance with past practice, and (ii) failure to satisfy specific contractual provisions regarding obtaining title insurance over fraudulent deeds uncovered on the six California properties that stemmed from an ongoing dispute between Anbang and third parties. Mirae received a refund of its deposit, plus interest, and damages for all expenses incurred in the transaction due to the protective provisions negotiated into the SPA on its behalf by GT.
• Represented the Chetrit Group in the purchase of Sony Corp. U.S. headquarters for $1.1 billon, including the $925 million financing and lease negotiations for Sony.
• Representation of Chetrit Group in the acquisition and financing of a portfolio of approximately 50 multi-family properties located in 8 different states.
• Representation of Extell Development Company on the acquisition of the final part of the former Walt Disney Company-owned ABC campus on the Upper West Side from Silverstein Properties, more than $900 million acquisition financing of such property from Guggenheim Partners and a syndicate of other lenders, and $110 million of preferred equity and subordinate financing convertible into common equity by a syndicate of equity partners.
• Representation of the owner/developer in the simultaneous marketing and sale of three of the largest multifamily projects in NYC, a first-class hotel located in NYC and a Class A office building in New Jersey.
• Representation of Kabro Associates in a sale of 9 grocery anchored shopping centers in irreplaceable locations on Long Island to Kimco Realty in consideration of 50% cash and 50% OP Units in a Kimco formed DownREIT. As part of the disposition GT is also handling the sale of one more center in Pennsylvania, which is being sold to another seller as Kimco is not on that geography.
• Represented RFR Holdings and Kushner Companies on the joint venture agreements and $375 million acquisition and financing of the six building Watchtower portfolio, located in the heart of DUMBO Brooklyn from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York.
• Representation of Starwood Capital Group in the sale of Baccarat Hotel New York.
• Represented the joint venture among Stonehenge Partners, Caisse Depot Et Placement Du Quebec and Public Sector Pension Investment Board on the $386 million sale to SL Green of The Olivia residential building in Manhattan, including OP units and common stock.
• Representation as general co-counsel and special bond counsel to the Larry Silverstein organization in connection with construction financing in excess of $700 million in the aggregate consisting of both conventional and HFA 80/20 bond financing facilities for River Place II in Manhattan. The financing is reputed to be the largest single residential construction loan ever closed in the United States.
• Representation of The Related Companies in connection with its $1 billion acquisition of the Snowmass Ski Resort. The transaction involved the very complex and challenging acquisition, joint venture, financing and ongoing operation and management of the assemblage of various properties, ski facilities, condominiums and fractional ownership interests of the Resort.
• Represented MetLife, Inc. in the sale of Peter Cooper Village and Stuyvesant Town to Tishman Speyer, in a joint venture with BlackRock Realty, the real estate arm of BlackRock, Inc., for $5.4 billion. The transaction is considered the biggest American real estate deal in history.
• Represented El-Ad Properties in connection with the acquisition of The Plaza Hotel, New York City for $675 million from Plaza Operating Partners, a partnership of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc and Kingdom Investments; and the negotiation of acquisition and redevelopment loans in excess of $900 million from HSBC, Credit Suisse and Hypo Real Estate. We subsequently represented El-Ad and the El-Ad/Kingdom partnership in the refinancing of existing mortgage and mezzanine debt in an aggregate amount in excess of $1.2 billion and the ultimate sale of the property to a foreign investment group.
• Greenberg Traurig represented Credit Suisse First Boston, Inc.in connection with SL Green Realty Corporation's acquisition of One Madison Avenue from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for $918 million.
• Represented SL Green Realty Corp. in its agreement to acquire two office buildings, comprising 1.7 million square feet, located at 750 Third Avenue and 485 Lexington Avenue for $480 million, or $282 per square foot, including reverse 1031 exchange and two levels of joint venture for ownership of the project.

Honors

• Honored, American Friends of Rabin Medical Center, Annual Gala, 2018
• Honored, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City, 2015
• Recipient, Einstein Humanitarian Award, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 2014
• Honored, National Jewish Health Humanitarian Award, 2012
• Recipient, Israel Peace Medal, State of Israel Bonds Real Estate Division, 2011 
• Honored, The Andrew Glover Youth Project, 2010
• Honored by the Real Estate and Construction Council Gala hosted by the Lincoln Center Corporate Fund, 2010
• Honored, Circle of Stars, The Starlight Children's Foundation, 2009
• Honored, American Friends of the Rabin Medical Center, 2008
• Honored, Hebrew Academy of Special Children, 2006
• Honored, Real Estate New Leadership Cabinet of State of Israel Bonds, 2001

Recognitions

• Listed, Euromoney's Expert Guides, "Best of the Best," Real Estate, 2019 
• Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law, 2006-2024
  • "Lawyer of the Year," Real Estate Law, New York City, 2014, 2017, and 2019
• Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2003-2023
• Team Member, Chambers & Partners USA Real Estate Law Firm of the Year, 2010, 2013, 2017-2018, and 2022
• Listed, The Legal 500 United States, 2007-2023
  • "Hall of Fame," Real Estate, 2020 and 2022-2023
  • "Recommended Lawyer," Real Estate, 2022
  • "Leading Lawyers," Real Estate and Construction - Real Estate, 2012-2020
  • "Recommended Lawyer," Real Estate - Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), 2019-2022
  Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, New York Metro Super Lawyers, 2006-2023
  • Listed, "Top 10 Lawyers in New York," 2010-2014, 2022-2023
  • Listed, "Top 100 Lawyers in New York," 2006-2023
• Listed, Who's Who Legal, 2006, 2010-2011, 2014-2015, and 2018
  • "Global Elite Thought Leaders - Real Estate," 2018
  • "The International Who's Who of Real Estate Lawyers," 2010-2011, 2014-2015
  • "The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers," 2006
• Team Member, U.S. News - Best Lawyers^®, Best Law Firms Edition, "Law Firm of the Year," Real Estate - Litigation, 2017 and 2022
• Team Member, a Law360 “Hospitality Practice Group of the Year,” 2017, 2020-2022
• 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, TheNew York Observer "100 Most Powerful People in New York Real Estate," 2008-2014
• Listed, The New York Observer "The Lawyers You Call 2010 Slideshow," August 9, 2010
• Recommended, PLC Which Lawyer?, 2009 Yearbook
• Recognized, New York Post "Top Four Commercial Real Estate Lawyers in New York City," 2008
• Selected, "Lawyers Forum," Real Estate New York, July/August 2008
• Listed, Real Estate Weekly "2008 All Stars," July 23, 2008
• Rated, AV Preeminent^® 5.0 out of 5

°AV^®, AV Preeminent^®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished^SM and Martindale-Hubbell Notable^SM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell^® certification procedures, standards and policies.

• Member, National Jewish Health Council of National Trustees
• Member, The Real Estate Roundtable, Real Estate Capital Policy Advisory Committee, Liquidity Working Group
• Editorial Board Member, Bloomberg BNA, Real Estate Law & Industry Report
• Member, American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL)
• Executive Committee, American Friends of Rabin Medical Center
• Executive Committee, Albert Einstein College of Medicine  
• Executive Committee, Real Estate Division of Israel Bonds
• Member, The Real Estate Roundtable (RER)
• Governing Global Trustee and Member, Urban Land Institute
• Member, Advisory Board of The Stoler Report @ Building New York