News: Spotlight Content

2016 Year in Review: Wayne Cook, Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP

Cook, Wayne <a class=Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP" height="250" src="http://nyrej.com/img/wordpress/2016/08/Cook_Wayne-Windels-Marx-240x300.jpg" width="200" />
Wayne Cook,
Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP
Name: Wayne Cook

Company: Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP

What was your most notable project, deal, transaction or professional achievement in 2016?

The first transaction that comes to mind was a construction loan of $110 million made by our client, The Union Labor Life Insurance Company, for the construction of an exciting high profile state-of-the-art health, fitness, and wellness destination along the Route 9 medical corridor in the exclusive Chestnut Hill section of Boston. The project consists of nearly 300,000sf and over 1,000 garaged parking spaces. It not only created jobs but also provides a much needed service to a fast growing sector of Boston. The project sponsors consisted of a collaboration between INDURE Build-to-Core Fund, LLC and The Bulfinch Companies, Inc.   

What project, transaction, market trend or product had the greatest impact on your industry this year?

The loss of the 421-a Affordable Housing Benefit has certainly slowed the trend on new development in New York City. This will impact the construction of the new residential project and result in Sponsor delaying planned projects or look to recapitalize.

How will you be supercharging your productivity in 2017? 

For the upcoming new year, I will be engaging in more speaking opportunities, taking part in panels on real estate and hospitality investment. I will also be performing some more media outreach, to share my expertise on the market and its happenings. This of course will be combined with our continual efforts of attaining new clients.

What emerging trends will drive investment and development in 2017? 

There will be a bigger wave of maturing CMBS loans in 2017, which may lead to a crisis where some of these loans may not be able to get financed, defaulting or falling to special services. I believe we are at the end of the cycle, but we may see a drop in prices and an increase in interest rates.

One of the likely changes based on Trump’s election will be deregulation. Dodd Frank could be reformed which will allow small businesses to get back into the market to provide much needed construction and land financing.

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which grants a foreign investor U.S. citizenship upon the creation and investment in a project that will help bolster the community and create jobs, may be revised which may impact how the capital stack are completed.

MORE FROM Spotlight Content

Over half of Long Island towns vote to exceed the tax cap - Here’s how owners can respond - by Brad and Sean Cronin

When New York permanently adopted the 2% property tax cap more than a decade ago, many owners hoped it would finally end the relentless climb in tax bills. But in the last couple of years, that “cap” has started to look more like a speed bump. Property owners are seeing taxes increase even when an
READ ON THE GO
DIGITAL EDITIONS
Subscribe
Columns and Thought Leadership
The strategy of co-op busting in commercial real estate - by Robert Khodadadian

The strategy of co-op busting in commercial real estate - by Robert Khodadadian

In New York City’s competitive real estate market, particularly in prime neighborhoods like Midtown Manhattan, investors are constantly seeking new ways to unlock property value. One such strategy — often overlooked but
Oldies but goodies:  The value of long-term ownership in rent-stabilized assets - by Shallini Mehra

Oldies but goodies: The value of long-term ownership in rent-stabilized assets - by Shallini Mehra

Active investors seeking rent-stabilized properties often gravitate toward buildings that have been held under long-term ownership — and for good reasons. These properties tend to be well-maintained, both physically and operationally, offering a level of stability
How much power does the NYC mayor really have over real estate policy? - by Ron Cohen

How much power does the NYC mayor really have over real estate policy? - by Ron Cohen

The mayor of New York City holds significant influence over real estate policy — but not absolute legislative power. Here’s how it breaks down:

Formal Legislative Role

Limited direct lawmaking power: The NYC Council is the primary
Properly serving a lien law Section 59 Demand - by Bret McCabe

Properly serving a lien law Section 59 Demand - by Bret McCabe

Many attorneys operating within the construction space are familiar with the provisions of New York Lien Law, which allow for the discharge of a Mechanic’s Lien in the event the lienor does not commence an action to enforce following the service of a “Section 59 Demand”.