Holland & Knight 2024 South Florida Real Estate Report
Holland & Knight's South Florida Real Estate and Land Use Group is proud to provide high-quality legal services in one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving real estate markets in the world. In 2024, our team has continued to be a leader in the industry, navigating new challenges and seizing opportunities with a blend of resilience, innovation and deep market knowledge. We have provided strategic counsel on a diverse array of commercial properties, including office, multifamily and mixed-use developments, and have been pivotal in negotiating and structuring complex transactions across various sectors, including capital markets, public finance and private development.
Our team's efforts have been widely recognized in 2024 by several national organizations and industry publications. Holland & Knight received a national first-tier ranking in Land Use and Zoning Law by the Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" guide. We also earned metropolitan first-tier rankings for Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The Legal 500 United States guide further honored us as a top-tier firm in Real Estate: Land Use/Zoning and recommended us for Real Estate, Real Estate – Finance and Real Estate – Construction (including Construction Litigation). Additionally, our real estate attorneys were recognized in the 2024 Chambers USA – America's Leading Lawyers for Business guide across multiple markets, with our firm earning Band 1 rankings in several key regions, including South Florida.
With a robust presence across South Florida, particularly in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, our real estate practice is deeply integrated into the region's most critical growth sectors. Our team's deep knowledge of the South Florida market, combined with our strategic connections in the Caribbean and Latin America, positions us as a go-to firm for clients seeking to capitalize on opportunities within these areas. In 2024, we have remained at the forefront of innovation within the real estate industry, offering cutting-edge counsel on evolving issues such as sustainable development and low-income housing tax credits.
Our commitment to green building and environmentally sustainable practices continues to set us apart, as does our focus on creating positive, forward-looking opportunities for our clients. Throughout the year, our real estate professionals have remained dedicated to delivering exceptional value, navigating expected and unexpected challenges. We take pride in collaborating with our clients as a unified team, with one goal in mind: achieving results that exceed expectations.
In this annual report, we proudly present some of the most notable transactions and accomplishments of our South Florida Real Estate and Land Use Group. We invite you to explore these highlights further in our accompanying brochure, which provides a comprehensive overview of our team's services and key achievements.
Joseph Goldstein
Miami Real Estate Practice Group Leader
Nicholas Milano Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach
Real Estate Practice Group Leader
Holland & Knight's experienced commercial real estate lawyers possess a wide range of industry insight and actively assist clients to purchase, sell, lease, develop, operate and finance billions of dollars of commercial and residential real estate assets, including office, retail, single and multifamily homes, apartments and industrial properties. In addition to these standard asset classes, our leasing, acquisition, disposition and development attorneys represent clients in the master planning of sophisticated portfolios involving multiple investors and complex agreements, such as high-end luxury condominiums and hotels. Our attorneys routinely handle projects from the permitting phase, through construction, and into the leasing and selling phase. This comprehensive representation covers a variety of product types, including office, industrial, flex, retail, residential and mixed-use properties, involving single-site projects and large portfolios.
REPRESENTING GLOBAL CITY IN MULTIPHASE DEAL IN KNIGHTDALE, NORTH CAROLINA
Holland & Knight represented Miami-based Global City Development in the acquisition, financing and sale of a residential development site in Knightdale, North Carolina. The client's intended use of the property is the development of a master-planned community offering single-family homes and townhouses with resort-style amenities that is a 10-minute drive from the central business district.
The firm represented Global City in multiple phases of this project, commencing with the acquisition of the vacant site for $15.21 million. In this initial phase, we negotiated the purchase and sale agreement and all closing documents, conducted title review and due diligence review, and coordinated all aspects of the closing. Our client financed the acquisition with an $8.5 million loan from BI 52 LLC, an affiliate of BridgeInvest, and a nearly $12.2 million loan from an affiliate of Leste Group, a Brazil-based private equity firm.
In the next phase, we represented Global City in the restructuring of its financing, through the issuance of a new loan by Lot SP III LLC, an affiliate of Spire Management LLC, in the amount of $16.84 million to finance the infrastructure improvements to the property, a modification of the existing loan from BridgeInvest, and the conversion of the existing debt with Leste Group into equity. We negotiated all loan documents with Spire's counsel and the modification of the existing BridgeInvest loan documents, and we prepared and negotiated the debt-to-equity conversion documents. Our office also conducted title review and coordinated all legal due diligence on behalf of the client.
Subsequently, Global City entered into a joint venture with a large institutional investor for the development of 215 housing units on a portion of our client's property in Knightdale. As part of this transaction, Global City contributed the property and a portion of the equity, while a large institutional investor contributed the equity necessary for development. Holland & Knight prepared and negotiated all closing documents and joint venture documents on the client's behalf, conducted title review and due diligence review, as well as coordinated all aspects of the closing.
Finally, Holland & Knight represented Global City in selling two of the four phases at the Knightdale development site to Taylor Morrison. Holland & Knight prepared and negotiated all closing documents and joint venture documents on the client's behalf, conducted title review and due diligence review, and coordinated all aspects of the closing.
ASSISTING ELION PARTNERS IN LEASING, TRANSACTIONAL AND FINANCING WORK
Holland & Knight has continued a working relationship with Elion Partners, aiding the Miami-based company in its property acquisition, disposition, leasing and financing work in multiple coastal, infill gateway markets. Elion's investment strategy is focused on last-mile logistics real estate, targeting coastal, infill logistics hubs near large population centers in supply-constrained markets. The recent acquisitions that Holland & Knight assisted with are part of a series that Elion has planned for its portfolio aggregation strategy across key logistics markets. Elion also has offices in New York and Washington, D.C.
Holland & Knight represented Elion in the acquisition of several last-mile industrial distribution assets in strategic West Coast logistics markets, including Seattle and its surrounding counties, the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California.
In addition to the series of last-mile acquisitions, Holland & Knight represented Elion in the leasing of acquired industrial space to various tenants, including a home improvement company, a construction engineering company, a multinational ecommerce company and an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer.
REPRESENTING ELION PARTNERS' EV 3000 IN PURCHASE AND FINANCING OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY
Holland & Knight represented EV 3000 LLC, a subsidiary of Elion Partners, in the $14.85 million acquisition of an industrial warehouse property at 3000 and 3060 Southwest 2nd Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. As part of our representation, we negotiated a purchase and sale agreement along with all buy/sell documents. We also assisted with review of the property's title and helped the client with obtaining financing for this acquisition from Synovus Bank. In connection with the financing, we assisted the client with the negotiation of all loan documents.
ASSISTING MIDTOWN DEVELOPMENT IN REDEVELOPMENT OF SUNSET PLACE MALL
Holland & Knight represented Midtown Development LLC with respect to the redevelopment of Sunset Place, a regional mall in downtown South Miami. Holland & Knight served as lead counsel for the redevelopment efforts, which entailed the acquisition of the mall, the management of existing tenant relationships, and acquiring the necessary entitlements for the demolition and subsequent redevelopment of the project. The total buildout value of the project is $1 billion.
ADVISING GROVE BAY INVESTMENT GROUP LLC
IN LEASE WITH CITY OF MIAMI
Holland & Knight served as lead counsel in negotiating a long-term lease agreement with the City of Miami for the redevelopment of significant portions of the waterfront in Coconut Grove. After completion of the negotiations with the city and the approval of the lease agreement by referendum of the electorate, Holland & Knight has worked hand-in-hand with the developer to secure necessary entitlements, complete the initial construction financing, address construction related matters and now serves as counsel negotiating the various leases to subtenants in the new development.
REPRESENTING
AMAC
IN 1800 ALTON PROJECT
Holland & Knight represented Arbor Management Acquisition Company (AMAC) in the $33 million acquisition and negotiation of retail leases for a mixed-used project in Miami Beach. The project, known as 1800 Alton, is a Class-A retail building located near Sunset Harbour.
CAPITAL MARKET TRANSACTIONS: REAL ESTATE FINANCE
Our South Florida real estate lawyers advise borrowers, lenders, developers and equity investors on a diverse range of real estate-related capital market transactions across all commercial product types. These transactions span all commercial product types, reflecting the diversity and complexity of the market.
The team is adept in navigating the intricacies of real estate lending across various sectors, including office spaces, retail centers, industrial facilities, multifamily housing, residential developments, condominium projects, timeshare properties, hospitality venues and senior living communities. Our finance practice encompasses every facet of real estate lending, from traditional financing arrangements to innovative national mortgage lending conduit programs.
With deep industry knowledge, our lawyers provide tailored, strategic counsel that aligns with our clients' specific needs and objectives. Their commitment to delivering prudent and practical advice helps to ensure that our clients are well-equipped to achieve their financial and operational goals in real estate.
ADVISING SEVERAL ELION PARTNERS AFFILIATES IN LOAN REFINANCE DEALS
Holland & Knight represented Elion Partners subsidiaries in nine portfolio loan refinancings with Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) for industrial properties owned by the client throughout Florida, California and Washington. Holland & Knight reviewed and negotiated the loan documents, conducted title and due diligence review, and coordinated all aspects of the closings.
ASSISTING ELION PARTNERS' EV 2465 WITH FINANCING FOR PROPERTY ACQUISITION
Holland & Knight represented Elion Partners subsidiary EV 2465 LLC in obtaining $9 million in financing for an acquisition from Bank Hapoalim B.M. In connection with the financing, we assisted the client with the negotiation of all loan documents.
REPRESENTING ELION PARTNERS SUBSIDIARY IN
LOAN FROM BANK HAPOALIM
Holland & Knight represented Elion Partners subsidiary EV 1515 LLC in obtaining a $22.5 million loan from Bank Hapoalim B.M., an Israeli chartered bank. In connection with the representation, we negotiated loan documents and reviewed various diligence items related to the property.
ADVISING TRUIST BANK ON CONSTRUCTION LOAN FOR RENTAL COMMUNITY
Holland & Knight represented Truist Bank, as administrative agent and lead lender's counsel, in connection with a $164 million construction loan to finance the construction of a 42-story, 506-unit rental community including a parking garage and related amenities located in the Brickell Avenue portion of Miami.
JOINT VENTURES
Holland & Knight's Joint Venture Group has vast experience in all relevant areas necessary for structuring, drafting and implementing strategic alliances to advance our clients' wide-ranging business interests. This experience includes multiparty joint venture agreements requiring complex waterfalls to diverse product types in several states or anything in between.
A successful real estate joint venture must be specifically tailored to each individual business, taking into consideration the legal and operational nuances that can make or break these arrangements, including state and federal regulations, tax consequences, industry-specific considerations and advanced techniques for evaluating and minimizing risks.
Our team members have decades of experience, a vast array of interdisciplinary skills and work with other Holland & Knight lawyers from complementary practices and industry teams to provide our clients with comprehensive representation for the successful structuring and implementation of their joint ventures.
REPRESENTING TECH TOWER, A JOINT VENTURE WITH GLOBAL CITY, IN LAND ACQUISITION
Holland & Knight represented Tech Tower LLC, a joint venture between Global City Development and other partners, in the acquisition and financing of various parcels of land in Sweetwater, Florida, near the Florida International University (FIU) campus with the intent to develop the land for student housing and laboratories. We assisted our client with the creation of the joint venture and the negotiation of all documents required for the joint venture formation. We also negotiated the purchase and sale agreement, including various amendments and modifications, served as title agents, and worked with the title company to satisfy all title requirements and ensure that all title exceptions were acceptable to our client. The purchase price for this acquisition was $10 million and it was financed with a $16.15 million loan from Sweetwater KS Finance LLC.
ADVISING OAK ROW EQUITIES ON THE 2600 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD ACQUISITION
Holland & Knight, represented a joint venture between Oak Row Equities (formerly known as Carpe Real Estate Partners) and Related Fund Management (based in New York) in the acquisition of a 2-acre development site in the Edgewater neighborhood of Miami for $35 million from entities owned by well-known hedge fund manager Bruce Berkowitz. The acquisition included a full city block of individual parcels and fronts Biscayne Boulevard. The project, which broke ground in April 2024, will consist of a 41-story tower designed by Arquitectonica featuring 399 residential apartments, as well as 187,000 square feet of office and retail space. Holland & Knight handled the acquisition, in addition to the negotiation of office leases with two anchor tenants (Ferraro Law Firm and Coastal Construction) totaling more than 50,000 square feet and a retail lease with Equinox for more than 30,000 square feet of retail space at the project. Pre-leasing of the space allowed the client to obtain construction financing from Bank OZK in an otherwise challenging environment.
ASSISTING L&L HOLDING COMPANY IN JOINT VENTURE AND PURCHASE OF WYNWOOD PLAZA
Holland & Knight helped to negotiate a joint venture and later represented the joint venture between Oak Row Equities (formerly known as Carpe Real Estate Partners) and L&L Holding Company, that are both New York developers active in South Florida, in connection with a very complex acquisition of an assemblage of properties in the Wynwood arts district of Miami for a new mixed-use development known as Wynwood Plaza. This development, which broke ground in 2023, will feature a 266,000-square-foot office building, a 509-unit rental apartment building, 32,000 square feet of ground floor retail space and a 25,000-square-foot outdoor public plaza. The deal involved five separate simultaneous closings with five separate sellers and 15 total parcels of land. It was critical that each of the deals close together because any one hole in the assemblage would have jeopardized the entire project. Some of the closings had extremely complex title issues ranging from probate matters (a seller party who died prior to closing and after contract execution), to squatters in a property who refused to vacate, to litigation or threatened litigation between or among broker parties (other than our client) to certain transactions. The Holland & Knight team was able to navigate and overcome these complex matters and successfully close all five deals simultaneously.
REPRESENTING WITKOFF GROUP IN ACQUISITION OF WEST PALM BEACH GOLF COURSE
Holland & Knight represented a joint venture between a prominent New York developer and a leading New Yorkbased investment firm in the acquisition of a high-profile distressed golf course, hotel and residential development known as Banyan Cay Resort and Golf Club. Calmwater, the lender to the original bankrupt developer, acquired the site after winning an auction in West Palm Beach federal bankruptcy court. The Holland & Knight team, having worked closely before with Calmwater's attorneys, helped facilitate a deal between the parties allowing for the client team to purchase the entirety of the project from Calmwater via a membership interest purchase agreement and negotiated seller-financing for the acquisition in the amount of $75 million. In addition to the hotel and residential development sites, the project features a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course that will reopen in late 2024 under the name Dutchman's Pipe after the completion of a multimillion-dollar renovation project.
ASSISTING NDT DEVELOPMENT AND PLACE PROJECTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NORA DISTRICT
Holland & Knight represented affiliates of NDT Development and Place Projects (NDT/Place), as sponsor developer parties in connection with the acquisition, capitalization and development of the Nora District, a neighborhood in West Palm Beach's urban core that stretches roughly 40 acres. The initial phase of the multifaceted Nora project features the $150 million redevelopment of former industrial buildings on North Railroad Avenue and significant infrastructure and streetscape upgrades. Future stages of the Nora project will include ground-up residential, office and boutique hotel development, with the curated commercial environment created on North Railroad Avenue as the primary amenity.
In 2023, Holland & Knight represented NDT/Place in connection with sequential transactions to set the table for the separate, future capitalization and development in the Nora District of 1) an independent boutique hotel operated by renowned Manhattan hotelier Richard Born and his company BD Hotels, and 2) future multifamily residential development project(s) between 10th and 11th Streets. The scope of representation included corporate restructuring, tax and joint venture work.
LAND USE AND ZONING
Holland & Knight has extensive knowledge in all aspects of land use, zoning and environmental law. Our team collaborates closely with clients from diverse industries, guiding them through complex legal landscapes from initial zoning and entitlements to acquisitions and project development. We are adept at navigating the intricacies of compliance assessments and environmental impact reports, with a focus on meeting rigorous standards. Our vast experience encompasses a broad spectrum of issues, including water quality management, due diligence, entitlement processes and the protection of wetlands. We are also well versed in historic preservation, health and safety regulations, as well as the handling of hazardous materials. In the rapidly evolving fields of biotechnology and environmental law, we offer distinct knowledge and experience that supports innovative projects while mitigating risks. Additionally, our work in insurance matters and litigation assists clients throughout the life cycle of their projects.
REPRESENTING WYNNE BUILDING COMPANY IN LUXURY APARTMENTS DEAL
Holland & Knight represented Wynne Building Company in obtaining the necessary approvals for a luxury apartment complex consisting of 394 units. This significant project is currently ongoing and is expected to enhance the residential offerings in the area.
ADVISING HOMESTEAD
COMMONS II LLC WITH ZONING FOR RETAIL PLAZA
Holland & Knight represented Homestead Commons II LLC in obtaining the zoning entitlements on for a commercial/retail plaza consisting of four single-story buildings, one of which has been designed to accommodate three large anchor tenants within a single structure, on 9.55 acres within the City of Homestead. The larger anchor stores will help attract national retailers to this area of the city.
ASSISTING DORAL-K LLC WITH LAND PERMITTING FOR AUTO DEALERSHIP
Holland & Knight represented Doral-K LLC, a subsidiary of Lithia Motors Inc. in obtaining a special exception to permit an automobile dealership on a 1.33-acre parcel in the City of Doral. This was a prime example of an adaptive reuse project, as the site, which was originally developed with a bank building, has now been converted into an automobile dealership.
REPRESENTING CHARTER
VENTURE EUREKA LLC IN DEAL TO CONVERT PRIVATE SCHOOL TO CHARTER
Holland & Knight represented Charter Venture Eureka LLC, in connection to converting the previously approved private school consisting of 850 students, grade levels pre-K through 8, into a charter school with an increased enrollment of 1,200 students dispersed between grade levels pre-K through 12 in Miami-Dade County.
ADVISING VOUS CHURCH INC. WITH ZONING OF LAND TO EXPAND CHURCH
Holland & Knight represented Vous Church in obtaining the zoning entitlements necessary to redevelop a 7.05-acre parcel of land in the City of South Miami with a 68,152-square-foot, two-story state-of-the-art church with more than 375 parking spaces. Once developed, the church will act as the flagship location for Vous Church with a primary worship room consisting of more than 1,100 seats. This project required Holland & Knight to obtain multiple hearing approvals and make multiple changes to the city's code.
ASSISTING AHS RESIDENTIAL LLC WITH REDEVELOPMENT OF PALMETTO METRORAIL STATION
Holland & Knight served as lead land use and zoning counsel for the redevelopment of the Palmetto Metrorail station in Miami-Dade County. The redevelopment of the station created 948 workforce housing units. This project is the first project approved under Senate Bill 102 (Live Local) in Miami-Dade County.
ADVISING ON SITE PLAN FOR $185 MILLION
AT NEW NORTH TOWN CENTER
Holland & Knight served as lead land use and zoning counsel for the site plan approval for New North Town Center in the City of North Miami Beach. The project is a massive redevelopment project in the city and is estimated at an investment value in excess of $185 million.
COUNSELING BH GROUP IN $500 MILLION CONDO PROJECT REDEVELOPMENT
Holland & Knight was the lead land use and zoning counsel for the planned redevelopment of the Hollywood Diplomat property. The redevelopment proposes 350 luxury condominium units and 500 condo-hotel rooms and is estimated to be valued at $500 million.
ADVISING CREI HOLDINGS LLC ON REZONING AND APPROVALS FOR SENIOR HOUSING UNITS
Holland & Knight represented a residential developer in connection with the required text amendment to the city code, rezoning and site plan approvals for two eight-story buildings encompassing 560 senior affordable housing units, meeting the critical needs of the City of Sweetwater's elderly population.
ASSISTING LEON MEDICAL CENTERS
WITH CONVERSION OF MOVIE THEATER TO MEDICAL FACILITY
Holland & Knight assisted Leon Medical Centers with the approval for the adaptive reuse of a shuttered movie theater building envelope into a new state-of-the-art, 52,000-square-foot medical facility. This project ultimately required a planned unit development (PUD) modification and a site plan amendment approval before the City of Homestead and pertinent Miami-Dade County departments, including Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (DERM). This facility will ultimately service approximately 5,000 Medicare patients throughout the South Dade area.
REPRESENTING CORAL ROCK GROUP IN AFFORDABLE MULTIFAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Holland & Knight represented Coral Rock Development Group in the development of more than 300 affordable multifamily units in the City of Florida City with a total value of approximately $100 million. The firm was successful in obtaining land use, zoning and site plan approvals for the project. The project will be the southernmost residential development in Miami-Dade County and will help to provide much needed workforce and affordable housing to the residents of the county.
REPRESENTING THE ESTATES COMPANY IN ZONING ISSUES FOR DEVELOPMENTS IN HOMESTEAD
Holland & Knight represented The Estates Company with an entitlement process that required significant lobbying of elected officials in order to create a new land use and zoning subdistrict known as the Midtown Homestead – Hospital Corridor (MHHC). The entitlement process is intended to promote vertical and/or horizontal mixed-use development along the Campbell Drive Corridor, within close proximity to Homestead Hospital, a major employment center in the City of Homestead. It also required amendments to the city's Comprehensive Master Plan Future Land Use Map (FLUM), as well as a rezoning request for the client's 20-acre subject property to avail itself of the new MHHC district regulations. A concurrent site plan approval was obtained for the development program of Soleste Midtown, a horizontal mixed-use development consisting of 354 Class-A dwelling units located at the rear of the property, and six commercial outparcels fronting Campbell Drive, centered along a grand promenade. The project is the first of its kind in the Homestead, introducing a new level of highly amenitized multifamily development (a two-story 7,000-square-foot clubhouse, gym, yoga and spinning rooms, designated work areas, resident lounge, resort-style pool with cabanas, barbecue areas, shaded tot lot and dog park amenity), as well as vibrant commercial/restaurant offerings, promoting vibrant commercial uses along Campbell Drive.
COUNSELING GLOBAL CITY INVESTMENTS LLC IN LOBBYING FOR ZONING OF UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
Holland & Knight represented Global City Investments LLC in the entitlement process that encompassed significant lobbying of City of Sweetwater elected officials in order to undertake substantial edits to the land use and zoning sub-district known as the University District (UD) that was intended to promote mixeduse developments within close proximity of Florida International University (FIU). The entitlement process also required a concurrent site plan approval for the development program of Tech Tower a Class-A housing development encompassing 170 dwelling units (678 beds) and 4,202 square feet of ground floor commercial space (the project). The project represents the next generation of UD development in the City of Sweetwater and will enhance the attractiveness and visual appeal of this important corridor in close proximity to FIU and the surrounding neighborhood. The project will also feature meticulous landscaping, an elegant and secure lobby, lounges and TV rooms, bike storage and an amenities deck featuring a fitness center, yoga lawn and outdoor lounge and seating areas. The project will also incorporate a rooftop club room and a pool.
COUNSELING HSYFT CAMPBELL LLC AND LUK YEUNG INC. IN CAMPBELL CROSSING PROJECT
Holland & Knight counseled the developers in relation to the entitlement approvals for a 9.2-acre first-class commercial development located at the southwest intersection of Southwest 312th Street (Campbell Drive) and Southwest 147th Avenue, known as Campbell Crossing. This project encompassed a 40,000-square-foot medical office building, 11,000 square feet of retail, a hotel use and a 5,000-square-foot Chick-fil-A. The firm's representation included crafting the strategy for the project approval, drafting of all pertinent documents, assisting the development team in addressing City of Homestead and Miami-Dade County comments, interfacing and communicating with city and county staff, lobbying of elected officials and representing the client throughout the public hearing process for all required entitlement approvals. This matter required a planned unit development (PUD) master plan amendment, site plan approval and a tentative plat application, with final approval by the Homestead City Council. Ultimately, this project is in-line with existing uses, and will serve as a catalyst for the redevelopment and further activation of this prominent corridor of the city. Baptist Homestead Hospital is located just north of the property, across from Southwest 312th Street, and as such, the development will also serve to meet a critical need for first-class medical offices within close proximity of the hospital. The proposed mix of uses will also contribute to the city's economic prosperity and viability; improve resident access to much-needed medical office, hotel and quality retail uses; and increase the city's ad valorem tax base.
ADVISING KIEWIT WATER FACILITIES IN WATER TREATMENT PLANT REPLACEMENT
Holland & Knight represented Kiewit, the design/builder of the new Prospect Lake Clean Water Center (PLCWC), a water treatment plant replacing the existing Five Ash Water Treatment plant currently serving the residents and businesses in Fort Lauderdale. The PLCWC is a state-of-the-art facility that will utilize the technologies of ion exchange and nanofiltration with the objective of improving water supply reliability, water quality and compliance with local and regional water standards. This facility will be capable of treating 50 million gallons of well water per day to provide potable water for the Fort Lauderdale. The overall project cost was $666 million.
PRO BONO REPRESENTATION OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN CAMPUS EXPANSION
The Learning Experience is a school that has promoted a safe and peaceful environment for children and adults with developmental disabilities since 1972. Holland & Knight provided comprehensive pro bono legal representation in order for the school to expand and provide additional educational opportunities for developmentally disabled students in Miami.
The Learning Experience sought an expansion to the existing campus located at 5651 Southwest 82nd Avenue. Holland & Knight immediately went to work to represent The Learning Experience with a comprehensive pro bono representation that included a multipronged approach, as detailed below.
• Determining development program viability. The team presented the preliminary vision of the expansion to Miami-Dade County, which entailed the development of a new academic building and an increase in overall student enrollment. The team also worked with project design professionals to help ensure that the final site plan adhered to the Miami-Dade County zoning regulations.
• Navigating zoning regulations. To meet the requirements of the proposed expansion, Miami Learning Experience School sought a rezoning of the expansion site, a special exception to allow for the development of a two-story, 4,355-square-foot academic building encompassing additional classroom space, an unusual use request to allow for an increase in enrollment from 135 to 180 students, and minor non-use variance requests to allow for reduced setbacks and driveway distances.
• Neighbor outreach. In preparation for the public hearing process, significant neighborhood outreach was also started to discuss the application requests and obtain support for the expansion proposal. As a result of these discussions, great efforts were undertaken by the project design professionals to help ensure that the proposal would maintain the residential character of the community. Prior to the public hearing, more than 100 petitions of support were provided to the county on behalf of neighbors, parents and supporters.
• Obtaining necessary approvals. After obtaining county staff's favorable recommendation, Holland & Knight represented Miami Learning Experience School during the public hearing process before the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners and obtained unanimous approvals for all required land use entitlements.
• Ongoing representation. Holland & Knight will continue to further the mission and required needs of Miami Learning Experience School, and our land use attorneys will provide continued pro bono representation through completion of the school expansion project.
REPRESENTING POMPANO PARK JV IN $2 BILLION REDEVELOPMENT OF FORMER RACING FACILITY
Holland & Knight represented Pompano Park JV in the transformative redevelopment of the former Pompano Park Racing facility to The Pomp, a mixed-use hospitality destination in Pompano Beach. Spanning a total of 232 acres, this ambitious project is anchored by Harrah's Casino and Pompano Live!, a dynamic dining and entertainment district that is underway and will feature up to 4,100 residential units. The development will also include 1 million square feet of commercial recreation space and 1.5 million square feet of industrial space, along with additional planned commercial and office uses. A Topgolf facility is already in operation, offering a taste of the vibrant amenities to come. The estimated $2 billion project is set to redefine the landscape of the area.
OUR TEAM SOUTH FLORIDA REAL ESTATE GROUP
POSITION YOURSELF TO THRIVE WITH OUR GROUP’S UNPARALLELED EXPERIENCE
Holland & Knight’s Real Estate Practice is active throughout the South Florida market across a network of three offices –Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Miami. Because Florida is one of the country’s top states for growth across a range of industry sectors, the South Florida practice serves as an integral part of Holland & Knight’s nationwide recognition.
For more than 100 years, we have provided legal counsel to real estate clients in practically every area of their business, including:
Development/Sales
HOLLAND & KNIGHT’S REAL ESTATE PRACTICE IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF:
REAL ESTATE FINANCE
Real estate finance is a core strength of our Real Estate practice, as demonstrated by our significant track record within the national real estate finance space.
RETAIL
Holland & Knight has one of the strongest retail practices nationwide. As other retail law firms abandon their focus on the retail sector, we are even more committed to it, and continue to organize our retail practice around the needs of clients to fit their business services and structure.
HOSPITALITY
We have a focus on the hotel and hospitality industry, with particular emphasis on hotel and mixed-use communities. We advise hotel owners and developers of mixed-use resort and urban communities domestically and in the emerging markets of Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Holland & Knight was one of the first law firms with attorneys certified as LEED-accredited (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). We have attorneys who are certified to advise clients on green building, environmentally sustainable construction and performance issues.
LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS
Since the inception of low-income housing tax credits in 1975, Holland & Knight has represented syndicators, developers, broker-dealers and equity investors in structuring, negotiating and documenting tax-advantaged equity investments in all types of real estate throughout the U.S. As a result, we have developed extensive knowledge about low-income housing tax credits, and the tax and business problems that can arise in structuring tax-advantaged transactions.
SOUTH FLORIDA REAL ESTATE GROUP
QUICK FACTS
of attorneys throughout South Florida, the gateway to Latin America Deep Hospitality Bench
lawyers in the South Florida Real Estate group – the largest concentration of real estate attorneys across the firm
in Urban Land Institute, the largest and most prestigious land use organization in the country Leadership Positions
OUR TRANSACTIONAL EXPERIENCE AND
PROWESS ALLOW US TO BE:
HIGHLY RESPONSIVE
to market changes including the COVID-19 pandemic, creatively adapting as circumstances demand
COMPREHENSIVE
via working relationships with local regulatory and policy authorities throughout the country, including municipalities and the executive and legislative branches
INNOVATIVE
by offering cutting-edge counsel on evolving issues affecting every aspect of the real estate industry
CONNECTED
to the Florida, Caribbean and Latin American markets, employing our intimate knowledge of pivotal opportunities, trending communities and challenges within these locales and beyond
LEADING LAWYERS ON YOUR SIDE
2025 The Best Lawyers in America Guide 166 real estate lawyers recognized | Noted in the areas of Leisure and Hospitality Law, Real Estate Law, Litigation − Real Estate, Environmental Law, and Land Use and Zoning Law
2024 The Legal 500 United States Guide Firm recognized as top-tier nationwide for Land Use/Zoning and recommended for Real Estate, Real Estate − Construction and Real Estate − Finance | Partners Joseph Goldstein and Stephen Shapiro were highlighted as “Hall of Fame” lawyers in the guide
2024 Chambers USA Guide
37 real estate attorneys from nine markets recognized | Firm received No. 1 rankings in Real Estate (Washington, D.C.; North and Central Florida; Tennessee and Texas) and Zoning/Land Use (California and South Florida)
In the 2024 Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” guide, Holland & Knight received national first-tier rankings in Real Estate Law and Land Use and Zoning Law, in addition to 258 metropolitan first-tier rankings across 25 of its U.S. offices, including Miami and Fort Lauderdale
INCLUSION IN ACTION
We seek to further develop an organization and a culture where all talented individuals – including those traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession – can have, and can see, a path to long-term success.
We are committed to these efforts because diverse and inclusive teams reflect the world we serve and produce better results for our clients. Most importantly, a diverse and inclusive organization is simply better
RECOGNITION
Mansfield Rule Certification
Received Mansfield Certified designation for seventh consecutive year
Seramount Best Law Firms
DEMONSTRATED SUCCESS
Since 2017, 50 percent of our newly promoted partners are diverse, based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or veteran status.
Our Directors Committee, the firm’s highest policymaking body, is 39 percent diverse, based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or veteran status.
Recognized as one of the 2024 “Best Law Firms for Women and Diversity” for our achievements in recruiting, retaining and advancing women and underrepresented lawyers.
Bloomberg Law
Recognized as one of the 2024 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Framework members for our level of disclosure of diversity-related metrics and distinguished performance against six core pillars: demographics, leadership and talent pipeline, recruitment and retention, business innovation and strategy, marketing, and diversity and inclusion in the community
Disability:IN
Received a score of 90 on the 2024 Disability Equality Index earning the firm recognition as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion
Equality 100 Award
Received ninth consecutive score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index in 2023-2024, which rates U.S. workplaces LGBTQ+ inclusion
Yale Law Women
Recognized in the 2024 “Top Firms Report,” receiving an honorable mention in the Culture category, which highlights firms that cultivate work environments where all attorneys can succeed without compromising their personality, values or identity
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
Received the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s 2023 Top Performer Award for participation in LCLD programs and promotion of the LCLD’s mission
Lawyers of Color
Recognized as a 2023 Aspire Diversity Award recipient
ABA’s Military Pro Bono Project
Only law firm to receive the Outstanding Service Award every year since its inception in 2012
State Bar of California
Recognized as a 2023 Bronze Seal recipient for implementing research-driven actions that further workplace diversity, equity and inclusion
Twelve of our U.S. offices are led by diverse Executive Partners.
Local Office
Diversity Committees: Devise and implement locally tailored programming
Inclusive Benefits: Benefits for domestic partners regardless of gender; transgender and reassignment benefits according to WPATH guidelines
Diversity Pipeline: Investment in programs designed to encourage historically underrepresented students to consider the legal profession
Diversity Council: Leads diversity strategy and initiatives, and includes Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Managing Partner and Directors Committee Chair
Attorneys may request an affinity mentor for additional guidance and coaching
INCLUSION IN ACTION
Recruiting: Engagement and participation with diversity programs at law schools, including job fairs, seminars and mock interview programs
Community Engagement: Engagement with affinity bar organizations and diversity conferences and events
Rising Stars Program:
Dynamic and intensive leadership program for a select group of talented women lawyers Client Partnerships: Collaboration with clients to improve diversity and inclusion in the legal profession
LCLD: Participation in the 1L LCLD Scholars, LCLD Fellows and Pathfinder Programs
COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITIES
Holland & Knight Founder Chesterfield Smith (1917-2003) instilled in our lawyers a sense of community purpose and recognition that we have a duty to provide needy people and groups with free legal services. Today, that charge remains woven into the fabric of our firm. Holland & Knight annually contributes an amount of time equal to at least 3 percent of the firm’s billable hours to pro bono legal service. The variety of cases we take on is as broad as the needs of the communities in which we practice.
In addition, members of the firm serve in leadership roles in governmental bodies, nonprofit organizations, civic initiatives, higher education institutions and economic development groups. As active members of our bar associations, we have many opportunities to leverage the resources of our firm with other law firms in community service. From cultural events to public education programs, our attorneys share their talents and resources to improve the quality of life in communities where we work and live. Holland & Knight also coordinates large-scale national and local service days and regular service engagements with the firm’s community partners.
OUR PUBLIC AND CHARITABLE SERVICE DEPARTMENT
Holland & Knight’s Public and Charitable Service Department was created in 2009 to integrate the firm’s global pro bono, community service and charitable giving initiatives to make deeper investments in communities in need. Our firm is proud to provide legal and organizational assistance to these positive forces for social change.
Veterans and the Military
Active-duty military service personnel often face complicated legal issues while they serve our country. We’ve joined the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Military Pro Bono Project to help these individuals and their families with a variety of legal needs. As a result of this work, the ABA again honored Holland & Knight with its annual ABA Military Pro Bono Project Outstanding Services Award. Holland & Knight is the only law firm or company to receive the Military Pro Bono Project’s annual Outstanding Service Award each year since the award’s inception in 2012. We dedicate significant resources to initiatives that benefit military veterans, including supporting the Wounded Warrior Project, providing legal services for the United Way’s Mission United Initiative to assist veterans with civilian re-acclimation, and partnering with the ABA’s Section of Taxation and the Internal Revenue Service to coordinate a Military Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Social Entrepreneurship
The nonprofit organization MyGoodDeed was founded in 2002 to carry forward the remarkable spirit of service and unity that arose on and after Sept. 11, 2001. The organization was co-founded by Jay Winuk, the brother of Glenn Winuk, a Holland & Knight partner and volunteer firefighter and EMT, who lost his life in the line of duty as a rescuer at the World Trade Center on 9/11. MyGoodDeed has achieved great success leveraging grassroots technology, social media, public relations and networking strategies to expand participation in the annual 9/11
Day Observance. This is now a federally designated National Day of Service and Remembrance, in large part due to the organization’s efforts. As MyGoodDeed has grown by leaps and bounds and spread its message worldwide, Holland & Knight has helped build the organization’s infrastructure to maximize the impact and sustainability of its call to service. Serving as general counsel, we provide pro bono legal services that range from corporate governance guidance to transactional and intellectual property strategy.
Civil Rights
Best Buddies International is the world’s largest program dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Holland & Knight has supported the organization for more than 20 years by serving as outside general counsel, on its board of directors and for local advisory boards; providing financial support for Best Buddies’ awareness events that promote disability rights to a wider audience; and employing individuals through the Best Buddies Jobs program. We applaud Best Buddies’ commitment to advocate for the rights of people with IDD.
Human Rights
When Florida mandated Holocaust education in the state’s public schools in the mid-1990s, Holland & Knight assisted in preparing the first curriculum. Since then, we have focused on creating awareness about the Holocaust and genocide, and promoting the lessons learned from extraordinary stories of human courage and compassion. Our attorneys teamed up with Bet Tzedek to help hundreds of Holocaust survivors recover thousands of dollars in reparations from the German government and gain access to pro bono legal services. The firm works with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Lawyers Committee, which provides professional development initiatives to study the legal ramifications of the Holocaust. We also support other organizations that are active in this area of focus, such as Facing History and Ourselves and the Anti-Defamation League.
Children and Education
Through the Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation’s Opening Doors for Children program, the firm’s attorneys and staff help students who are at risk of never realizing their full potential. We partner with schools and nonprofits in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods to provide tutoring, serve as mentors and enhance their curricula. For example, at Charles R. Darwin Elementary School in Chicago, students who are struggling with reading get help from our volunteers during “power lunches” held in the classrooms. Through a Reading Is Fundamental program, they take home a minimum of three books per year to spark their interest in reading. Many of these students also learn about the history of the United States and are introduced to the legal system through a partnership with the Constitutional Rights Foundation.
