Jackson Walker attorneys played important roles in several transactions that the Dallas Business Journal recently recognized as winners or finalists in its annual “Best Real Estate Deals” awards.
Jackson Walker partner Bill Dahlstrom assisted with zoning and economic development for the KDC Richardson project, which was named Deal of the Year, Best Land Deal, and Best Suburban Office Deal, and was a finalist for Best Mixed-Use Deal. Plans for the $1.5 billion development include several million square feet of office space and nearly 4,000 apartments, as well as hotels, medical, and retail space, as well as an economic development agreement which could result in a $118 million incentive for the developer. Mr. Dahlstrom also worked on the Fairfield West End Residences project, which was a finalist in the Urban Multifamily category.
The long-term lease for the world headquarters of Christus Health was named the best HQ/Campus Deal of 2012. The international health system consolidated its headquarters into a 227,000 square foot campus in Las Colinas in a highly time-sensitive transaction. Jackson Walker partner Wayne Malecha represented Christus on this matter, and successfully achieved the client’s objective to ink a favorable deal on an expedited basis.
The DBJ recognized the extension of The Neiman Marcus Group’s corporate headquarters lease as the Best Lease Renewal Deal of 2012, in which the retail giant agreed to remain in downtown Dallas’ Renaissance Tower for an additional 11 years. Neiman Marcus leases nearly 500,000 square feet in Renaissance Tower, a space that is utilized by approximately 450 employees. Mr. Malecha represented the building’s ownership group, Binyan Realty, LP, in this significant transaction for downtown Dallas.
Another Jackson Walker client, West Dallas Investments LP, won the best Retail/Restaurant Deal award for its Trinity Groves restaurant incubator program in West Dallas. Jackson Walker partners Susan Mead and Suzan Kedron represented West Dallas Investments. Ms. Mead and Jackson Walker partner Jonathan Vinson also assisted with zoning matters and incentives related to the 3700M West Village project, which was the winner in the Best Mixed-Use Deal category.
The firm also played a role in several deals that were named finalists in the awards. Terra Verde Group’s Windsong Ranch development was honored in the Single-Family/Planned Community category for the 2,030-acre, master-planned community in Prosper, Texas, that it purchased in June 2012. Jackson Walker partner Bryan Birkeland and Jackson Walker attorney Clark Pulliam represented the seller, a partnership including Forest City Enterprises, Inc.
Forest City Texas was named a finalist in the Urban Multifamily category for its purchase and redevelopment of the Continental Building in downtown Dallas. After sitting vacant for about 15 years, the property has been developed into apartments. Mr. Birkeland and Ms. Mead represented Forest City in that transaction.
Jackson Walker partner Leonard Hoffman represented Colorado-based UDR Inc. in its massive Vitruvian Park development, which was named a finalist for the Suburban Multifamily Deal of the Year. The 99-acre planned development in Addison has been in the works since 2008 and is currently in its third phase of development. Mr. Hoffman assisted his client in negotiations with the Town of Addison, which has invested $40 million for infrastructure and public amenities to support the project. When completed, Vitruvian Park will contain 6,000 dwelling units, along with abundant green space, office and retail.
Winners were honored at an awards dinner on April 25, 2013, and featured in a special section in the April 26th edition of the Dallas Business Journal. To read more about the winners (subscription required), click here.
