Overview
Hope K. Plasha has a broad-based real estate practice that includes the representation of landlords and tenants in leasing transactions, developers in the acquisition and construction of commercial and residential properties and commercial lenders in a wide-spectrum of real estate financings. She serves as outside real estate general counsel for a global media company in all of its domestic and international property matters (including a 150,000 square foot headquarters office lease, the sale of industrial sites throughout the United States, and the leasing of representative offices in over 30 different countries).
Representative Matters
Landlords and Tenants
Negotiation of an 80,000 square feet lease with a law firm tenant for an office REIT landlord.
Representation of a large private foundation in its lease of office space in a New York City mixed-used development with complex condominium issues.
Negotiation of a flagship store lease in New York City’s Time Warner Center for a well-known fashion retailer.
Developers
Representation in connection with the development of a luxury loft condominium on New York City's Upper West Side, including acquisition of the site out of foreclosure, negotiation of a $44,000,000 construction loan, and advice regarding ongoing construction issues.
Negotiation of a joint venture to develop a 100+ unit condominium building in Midtown Manhattan, as well as representation of the JV in connection with its purchase of the site and negotiation of a $48,000,000 construction loan.
Negotiation of a $35,000,000 million Loan Assumption and Amendment Agreement with a capital markets loan servicer on behalf of the purchaser of three office buildings in Minneapolis, MN so as to permit the purchaser’s redevelopment of the properties.
Representation of a hotel developer in ground leasing a development site in Midtown Manhattan, securing financing for renovation of the existing building, and negotiating a management agreement with an European hotel management company.
Commercial Banks
Representation of financial institutions in connection with loans secured by office and retail properties, with an emphasis on complex construction, permanent, mezzanine and preferred equity financings as well as the unique issues presented by religious restrictions on financing structures.
Tax-Exempt Organizations
Ms. Plasha has worked with large and small tax-exempt organizations to address their unique real estate concerns, (including the leasing of headquarters space, the acquisition of a school campus in San Francisco, CA, the donation (subject to a conservation easement) of a several thousand acre parcel of woodland to a national conservation organization, the development of an underground gymnasium for a New York City school subject to complex landmarks and regulatory restrictions, the net lease of an approximately 120,000 square feet building in New York City for a new private high school, and the redevelopment of a historic family estate into a major international conference center). In addition, Ms. Plasha has built a specialty practice helping schools historically affiliated with religious corporations to become independent operating entities.
Pro Bono
Serves on Board of Directors of West Harlem Environmental Action (WE ACT) and as a clinical supervisor in the Community Economic Development Clinic of Fordham Law School.