Strategic & Technical Solutions for
Real Estate
Developers, Owners and Lending Institutions
Due Diligence Compliance vertex markets real estate
Green Building Owner’s Representation Site Development & Redevelopment Support
INDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE OWNERS & INSTITUTIONS POWER DEVELOPERS INSURANCE SURETY FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT BANKING LAW FIRMS CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LOCAL, STATE & FEDERAL AGENCIES
®
Resolving complex challenges across the real estate lifecycle. The real estate business abounds with environmental and construction challenges. Whether you’re a real estate investor, developer or owner, understanding potential roadblocks and pitfalls is vital to your project’s success. With our history of excellence in the environment, construction, engineering and energy sectors, VERTEX is poised to help you address your real estate challenges—regardless of scope or complexity. We provide customized, strategic and technical solutions to commercial and industrial real estate owners, developers and lending institutions at every turn in the real estate life cycle.
Excellent Service. Extraordinary Results. | Our stellar
VERTEX Global
reputation stems largely from the expertise and diversity of our professionals—combined with our steadfast commitment to responsive, personalized customer service.
Real Estate Clients
Entrepreneurs to the core, our highly qualified experts approach every real estate challenge with a goal-oriented approach and focus on client-driven results. The VERTEX team is savvy in all facets of environmental due diligence and construction. Because we’re full service, VERTEX can offer clients a cohesive experience from beginning to end, with significant savings in time and cost.
VERTEX stakes its reputation on the trust of its prestigious client roster featuring many of the world’s biggest names in real estate and lending, including:
Because no two projects are the same, we tailor our solutions to address your specific challenges and goals. We support everything we do with the optimum combination of modern and mature, standards-compliant technology—all with rigorous attention to local, state and federal regulations. The end result is an action strategy that offers a comprehensive approach to solving time sensitive issues.
GE Prudential JP Morgan Chase Bank Goldman Sachs Avalon Bay Communities ProLogis Trammell Crow Company
The VERTEX
Advantage for:
Real Estate Lending Institutions
Real Estate Developers
Real Estate Owners
Accelerated ESA/PCA/ Due Diligence Reporting
Improve Due Diligence & Mitigate Risk
Reduce Environmental Liability
Offer Competitive Pricing
Approach Real World Challenges With Real World Solutions
Retain Tenants
Increased Reliability of Due Diligence Reduce Risk
Control Renovation Costs Increase Sub-Selection Efficiency Support Competitive Cost Buyouts
Deliver Responsive Solutions Optimize Energy Savings Execute Lifecycle Real Estate Planning Strategies
Civil and Structural Design for Site Development and Redevelopment Construction Management Services
[2]
Our first-hand experience resolving challenges for real estate lenders, owners and developers gives VERTEX the perspective to deliver a continuum of solutions that evolve with the life of your project.
VERTEX Real Estate Services:
Spanning the life of the project
INDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE OWNERS
STAKEHOLDERS
INDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS REAL ESTATE LENDING INSTITUTIONS STAGE
STAGE
STAGE
(PRE-ACQUISITION OF ASSET)
(MANAGEMENT OF ASSET)
(DISPOSITION OF ASSET)
1
TIMELINE
2
3
» Environmental Due Diligence » Merger & Acquisition Consulting » Remediation Consulting » Portfolio Risk Management
SERVICES
» Property Condition Assessments (PCAs) » Structural and Civil Design » Regulatory Consulting » Air Quality Services including Asbestos, Lead, Mold & Industrial Hygiene
» Real Estate Compliance » Site Development & Redevelopment Support
» Tenant Improvement
» Energy & Green Building
» Owners’ Representation & Construction Management
» Financial Foreclosure & Sale Leaseback Financing Technical Support
» Divesting Technical Support
[3]
VERTEX Environmental Due Diligence
Services
Phase I ESAs Phase II Subsurface Investigations PMLs PCAs Regulatory Compliance Local Regulatory Review
Environmental Due Diligence | Understanding and evaluating potential
environmental risks and costs is an essential first step in any real estate transaction or project strategy. But the activities involved with due diligence can sometimes be time consuming and complex. Many investors, developers and owners trust VERTEX to uncover meaningful pitfalls and identify a successful course of action.
Helping lenders, developers and owners meet diverse environmental challenges VERTEX approaches transactional due diligence with a keen focus on detail and efficiency. We work under strict deadlines to give clients a clear understanding of the potential liabilities associated with different loans with varying hold times. Experts in construction and demolition, VERTEX also helps real estate developers meet tight property development schedules with turnkey development services that begin before general contractors are engaged. As part of due diligence activities, VERTEX can analyze the potential future needs for the property, including building demolition, utility cuts and caps, contaminated soil and groundwater removal and dust monitoring. VERTEX executes promptly, giving clients a clean slate on which to launch project development and ensuring that all aspects required for development have been vetted. Property owners come to VERTEX for our hands-on experience addressing challenges at different stages of the real estate life cycle. During pre-acquisition, our due diligence practices enable clients to mitigate risk while providing the accurate and thorough information required to negotiate a favorable purchase. Over the course of ownership, VERTEX helps ensure the environmental safety and feasibility of projects such as site improvements, site-use changes and redevelopment. We also offer retrofitting and upgrade services to maximize building energy efficiency. VERTEX is an invaluable resource at the point of sale, helping owners develop strategies for managing outstanding environmental and building issues.
Supporting sales-leaseback finance strategies Lenders that foreclose on an insolvent real estate asset often pursue a sales-leaseback finance arrangement. Many turn to VERTEX for our in-depth understanding of operations maintenance and ownership liability. VERTEX works hand-in-hand with our clients’ legal and finance teams to help mitigate potential risks and estimate cost exposure—performing the due diligence required to accurately assess impacts to property value, liability and financial viability.
[4]
VERTEX Financial Foreclosure
Services for Lenders
Phase I ESAs Phase II Subsurface Investigations PMLs PCAs Regulatory Compliance Local Regulatory Review
VERTEX Compliance
Services Tenant Compliance Assessments Environmental Impact Reports Regulatory Site Closure Negotiations Federal, State & Local Regulatory Permitting
Compliance | The VERTEX compliance team works with real estate lenders,
owners and developers to perform the myriad of tasks required to evaluate compliance— enabling you to move projects forward quickly and with confidence. Whether you’re up against a looming regulatory deadline, weighing the risks of non-compliance against the rewards of a pending loan opportunity, or facing burdensome regulatory delays, VERTEX can help.
Financial Foreclosure | Financial foreclosure cases are rarely cut-and-dry.
Avoiding potential risks requires a meticulous approach to environmental due diligence. To help clients assess the risk associated with deadline-driven foreclosure actions, VERTEX provides comprehensive research, accurate reporting and expert mitigation strategies.
Navigating the challenges of financial foreclosure VERTEX helps many top global lending institutions effectively navigate the details of complex financial foreclosure proceedings. Sellers of foreclosed properties rely on our expertise to review and update environmental records and prepare them for potential buyers; while buyers benefit from our prompt, thorough reporting support. VERTEX services for foreclosed property owners cover all courses of action. Our experienced environmental consultants work closely with clients to recommend practical, sustainable solutions for site reuse and development.
VERTEX Remediation Consulting
Services Development
Industrial Facility Decommissioning Remedial Design & Construction Third Party Management Underground Storage Tank & Hazardous Material Support
Remediation Consulting | The VERTEX approach to contaminated
site remediation is focused on mitigating risks to human health and the environment. We have an outstanding track record negotiating with regulatory entities to achieve swift closure on compliance issues. With our multi-discipline development team, we’re able to pair our negotiation services with closely integrated development strategies that keep plans on schedule and within budget. Whether you’re a property owner concerned with value, a developer pursuing a sale or lender looking to invest, VERTEX will work with you to map out and implement the fastest, most cost-effective path to regulatory closure. We customize our strategies based on your goals, cost requirements and unique property conditions, as well as regulations to consider along the way. With our diverse team of skilled field engineers, scientists and licensed business professionals, VERTEX is intimately familiar with all state and federal regulations. Our clients place a premium on our timely decision making and adaptability to changing site conditions.
[5]
VERTEX Regulatory Consulting
Regulatory Consulting: Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures |
Whether you’re acquiring a business with multi-national manufacturing or financing a global portfolio of hotel properties, VERTEX can expose and evaluate the unknown environmental liabilities that potentially impact returns. Additionally, VERTEX can tailor M&A due diligence products including summary spreadsheet risk analysis that includes both remedial and compliance quantifications. With our global network of over 5,000 environmental and engineering professionals, we offer first-hand knowledge of the local environmental regulations that affect your investment. Our strong international presence is a big advantage to investors and lenders, because we can get right down to the business of due diligence with no language or cultural barriers.
Services
Desk Top Portfolio Review & Risk Mitigation Consulting Environmental Site Assessments (Phase I) Subsurface Investigations (Phase II) Asbestos, Lead & Hazardous Materials Surveys Property Condition Assessments (PCA) Operational Permit Reviews & Compliance
Giving Contaminated Land a New,
Environmentally Safe Lease on Life. In Boston, the fill material that makes up many development sites is contaminated with PAHs and heavy metals. This was one of many challenges VERTEX faced when it was engaged to evaluate the environmental risks of a plan to redevelop a 30-acre land parcel with a long history of industrial use. Over its lifetime, the property had been home to a rail yard, lead works, manufacturing gas plant and various other maintenance yards containing petroleum USTs. The property owner and developer looked to VERTEX to help identify areas best suited for improvements such as buildings, roadways, structured or paved parking and parks. VERTEX developed a multi-step strategy that began with a Phase 1 ESA and preparation of a soil management plan. These served as blueprints for handling environmental red flags and offsite disposal in development when reusing materials is permissible. Next, VERTEX prepared a regulatory compliance strategy and remediation decision tree to combine multiple release tracking numbers at the site. This enabled soil movement across the site during development. At the same time, it eliminated burdensome reporting requirements with different regulatory timelines. From here, VERTEX performed a subsurface investigation and installed a network of soil borings and monitoring wells to evaluate overall site conditions. VERTEX collected and evaluated soil data to identify contaminants based on MCP requirements. With a state-of-the-art database and information management system, VERTEX ensured the quality and accessibility of data compiled from laboratory samples and boring locations. Moving forward, VERTEX is creating three-dimensional imagery to help designers plan options for different development scenarios.
[6]
VERTEX Owner’s Representation & Construction Management
Services Preconstruction Plan Review Feasibility Studies Design & Development Procurement Construction Construction Close-Out Dispute Resolution
Owners’ Representation & Construction Management | Our unmatched experience in both the strategic and tactical areas of construction is of real value to property owners and developers that come to us for support with owners’ representation and construction management.
Day in and day out, VERTEX deals successfully with common construction pitfalls and manages the fallout from claims. We apply our first-hand knowledge to achieve favorable results for our clients— no matter the size or complexity of the project. As a result, VERTEX is able to offer a full suite of services including plan reviews of architectural components, along with complete civil and structural reviews. Developers can count on our support from start-to-finish from entitlement through occupancy certification.
Energy & Green Building | VERTEX helps real estate developers and
owners meet requirements for efficiency and environmental stewardship with sustainable, renewable solutions for all types of buildings. With our global reach, we support our clients on the development and implementation of energy initiatives all over the world.
VERTEX Energy & Green Building
Services Energy Auditing Facility Upgrades
Enterprise Energy Management Green House Gas Reporting & Management Alternate Energy Services
Our public and private sector expertise in construction, management and a range of engineering disciplines is a major competitive advantage to clients. The VERTEX team includes LEED Accredited Professionals (AP), certified energy auditors and managers registered with the Association of Energy Engineers. As a result, VERTEX can deliver integrated energy solutions to address challenges from climate change and compliance to enterprise and resource management. We partner with real estate clients at all phases of development and ownership—from designing and building sustainable, renewable energy solutions from the ground up to refining existing systems in response to changing energy goals and demands.
For Institutional Lenders Only:
Portfolio Risk Management | In the high-profile world of merger
and acquisition (M&A), we’re masters at executing targeted, fast-paced due diligence strategies to identify and manage portfolio risk for our institutional lenders. VERTEX has supported some of the largest M&A deals in recent decades, and our reputation for timeliness and competence is unmatched.
VERTEX Portfolio Risk Management
Expertise
VERTEX offers broad-ranging experience in extent-of-damage investigations. Identifying “Red Flag” Risk Factors Statistical Portfolio Analysis Asset Risk Categorization Worst-Case Cost Estimating
[7]
VERTEX Saves Paper Products Manufacturing Facility
Achieving Regulatory Closure For Expansion In 2010, the owners of a Hudson River-based New York State paper products manufacturing facility engaged VERTEX to achieve regulatory closure for pre-existing contamination, prior to the launch of a major expansion project. Originally the location of power-generating water turbines, the site housed buildings dating back to the late 19th century and substantial fill material in an area previously used for sluice. Filled over a 30-year period in the mid-1900s, the area included river sediments with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals from former dam materials. The VERTEX mission was two-fold: 1) Managing environmental and construction activities to identify the extent of contamination and its impacts in the Forebay area; and 2) Developing a strategic plan to address regulations from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).
All VERTEX activities underwent review by the lender, as well as the NYSDEC and USEPA. VERTEX’s success demonstrating the completion of required environmental closure activities put financing in place to move construction forward. The VERTEX Solution: • Reviewing existing subsurface data and area records to identify depositional fill history • Conducting comprehensive subsurface investigation to determine vertical and horizontal extent of PCB, PAH and heavy metals impacts • Preparing detailed geologic cross-sections and 3-D graphic showing impacted layers of fill material • Moderating negotiations between manufacturer, NYSDEC and USEPA on remedial measures • Installing a barrier in the Forebay area and overseeing piling and foundation slab pouring in response to regulators’ plans for managing impacted soils • Managing impacted sediments and groundwater generated during construction
[8]
Focus on Development
VERTEX Site Development & Redevelopment
Site Development & Redevelopment |
In multi-stage site development and redevelopment initiatives, VERTEX is an integral part of the development team from start to finish. At property acquisition, VERTEX is a trusted resource for planners and geotechnical and civil engineers that need strategies to overcome environmental challenges.
Services
Pre-Construction Engineering & Planning Health & Safety Plans Hazardous Materials & Hazardous Waste Management
Bringing progress full circle |
Once construction breaks ground, VERTEX helps developers keep progress on schedule by managing activities such as health and safety support, excavation oversight, dust monitoring and the reuse and disposal of materials. Our professional design engineers focus on streamlining the development of systems that mitigate contaminant intrusion upon occupancy. When construction is complete, VERTEX can help developers close the loop by providing expert support for all regulatory closure requirements and resale negotiations.
Storm Water Management Procurement & Contract Management
Remediation System Design & Management Construction Support
Structural Design
Air Monitoring Vibration/Noise Monitoring H&S Oversight Environmental Incident Response Regulatory Site Closure Negotiations
Our preliminary assessments and soil pre-characterization studies help identify potential problems before construction begins, so they’re managed properly in development. During these critical early stages, VERTEX also performs feasibility and risk assessment studies to help developers evaluate remedial options and additional assessment needs while considering construction contingency plans.
The VERTEX structural design team offers experience with virtually every type of structure. Real estate developers value us for our creativity and construction expertise, as well as our collaborative approach to working with clients. Innovators at heart, VERTEX structural designers have a reputation for creating inventive yet buildable solutions with lasting architectural integrity.
Civil Design VERTEX services for real estate developers extend to civil design and include complete site civil design services.
Tenant Improvement |
To real estate developers, VERTEX is the preferred general contractor for premium tenant improvement and tenant finish projects. Our extensive project portfolio spans a full spectrum of structure types in urban, rural and suburban settings. Whether moving a single wall to managing a multi-faceted renovation, VERTEX delivers quality results promptly and cost-effectively.
VERTEX Structural & Civil Design Structural Design
Civil Design
System Selection Studies
Land Development
Value Engineering
Comprehensive Site Development
Structural Calculations
Storm Water Management
CAD Contract Drawings
Transportation & Traffic
Specification Preparation
Construction
Cost Estimating & Probable Maximum Loss Assessments
Due Diligence
Shop Drawing Review Construction Phase Services Seismic Assessments (residential & commercial) Property Condition & Scenario Loss Assessments
[9]
Services
Site Rehabilitation
INDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE OWNERS & INSTITUTIONS POWER DEVELOPERS INSURANCE SURETY FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT BANKING
VERTEX
Real Estate
LAW FIRMS CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES
Construction Property & Casualty Claim Investigations Construction Defect Investigations Catastrophic Claim Assessments Loss Control Property Condition Assessments Construction Estimating Cost to Complete Studies Project Re-Lets & Bidding Project Monitoring & Funds Control LEED Assessment & Certification Feasibility Studies Commissioning Schedule & Impact Analysis Sustainability Consulting General Construction Project Consulting Owner Representation Services Construction Management Construction Claim Analysis & Preparation Litigation Support & Expert Testimony
Environmental Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments Remedial Design & Feasibility Studies Remediation & Construction Management Pollution Cause & Origin Investigations Pollution Claim Management Environmental Loss Control Compliance Audits Water & Wastewater Sustainability Consulting Environmental Portfolio Reviews Environmental Health & Safety Environmental Permitting Groundwater & Soil Characterization Litigation Support & Expert Testimony
Air Quality
About VERTEX VERTEX IS A STRATEGIC AND TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS PROVIDER TO ORGANIZATIONS
Asbestos, Lead and Mold Vapor Intrusion Investigations & Remediation Indoor Air Quality Assessments Greenhouse Gas Reduction Services Industrial Hygiene Climate Change Services Litigation Support & Expert Testimony
THAT CONDUCT BUSINESS IN
Energy
GOALS WITH A COMPLETE RANGE
Energy Claim Investigation & Analysis Sustainable Energy Services Energy Loss Control Services Energy Certified Auditing Energy Permitting & Feasibility Analysis Construction & Project Management
CONSTRUCTION, ENVIRONMENT, AIR QUALITY AND ENERGY INDUSTRIES. AROUND THE GLOBE, VERTEX HELPS FIRMS IN DIVERSE MARKETS SUCCEED BY SUPPORTING VITAL PROJECT OF CONSULTING, ENGINEERING AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS.
Our international network of resources enables us to provide our multi-national clients with the most qualified local professionals who understand the culture, language and regulatory system while maintaining the high quality service that VERTEX customers expect.
north america united states
vertex network & office locations worldwide * Office Locations
California* Colorado* Florida* Illinois* Maryland* Massachusetts* Michigan* New Jersey* New York* North Carolina* Pennsylvania* Texas* Washington* Washington, DC*
canada Montreal Ontario Toronto* Vancouver
mexico Chihuahua Juárez Mérida Mexico City* Monterrey* Saltillo
europe Austria Belgium Bulgaria Czech and Slovak Republics Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia Spain Switzerland Turkey UK
south america Argentina Brazil Chile
asia pacific Australia China India Indonesia Japan* Malaysia New Zealand Philippines Singapore Taiwan Thailand
® WORLD HEADQUARTERS, 400 LIBBEY PARKWAY, WEYMOUTH, MA 02189 PHONE +1 (781) 952-6000
FAX +1 (781) 952-6060
VERTEXENG.COM
middle east Kuwait Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates
africa Angola Cape Verde Egypt South Africa