Our Practice
Real Estate DevelopmentOur Real Estate Development group has spent years building a unique expertise in just about every aspect of the development of property. From problems requiring the specialized assistance of our land use, natural resources and environmental law attorneys to the successful completion of the most unique and challenging real estate transactions, we help our clients find the most direct route to, and creative solutions for, moving their projects forward. We bring an astute technical understanding of the law, strong relationships with regulatory officials, and the creative wherewithal to negotiate, structure and complete any transaction or project.
Our Real Estate Development Team
Each team member brings a specialized understanding of the commercial real estate industry, with particular focus on land use, real estate, general business, tax, and litigation.
Areas of Emphasis
- Real estate acquisition, disposition, and all phases of development
- Land Use Entitlements and zoning
- Environmental Review, including Environmental Impact Statements, SEPA and NEPA compliance, including GMA compliance and appeals
- Commercial or Seller financing and related issues
- Complex transaction and entity structuring
- Shoreline Management Act issues
- Wetlands and other sensitive areas
- Endangered Species Act issues
- Annexations
- Conditional Use Permits, Variances and Nonconforming Use issues
- Impact and Mitigation fees
- Preparation and negotiation of documentation including purchase agreements, ground leases, deeds of trust, promissory notes and easements
- Condominium formation groups and conversion
- Construction and design
- Litigation to obtain or defend permit and property rights
As in everything we do at Cairncross & Hempelmann, our clients in the real estate development industry receive the benefit of our holistic approach. Our lawyers will be there every step of the way, to advise, evaluate and support you and your plans. Our goal is your goal: successful development on your time schedule.
For more information: Contact Dan Vaughn at (206) 254-4484 or via email at dvaughn@cairncross.com, or John De Lanoy at (206) 254-4414 or via email at jdelanoy@cairncross.com.
Highlighted Clients and Transactions
Multi-Employer Property Trust. We have represented this institutional real estate developer and investor for over seven years. We have handled MEPT’s office and industrial development projects from acquisition through lease-up and beyond. We provide almost daily advice on the myriad of issues affecting its projects under construction, as well as its mature properties, including new leases, lease amendments, extensions, terminations, tenant improvement work letters, letters of credit, easements, evictions, construction contracts, and bankruptcy proceedings involving its tenants.
Microsoft Corporation. We represented Microsoft Corporation in the development of its World Headquarters in Redmond, consisting of more than twenty buildings constructed on the original campus area as well as satellite locations in the general vicinity of the original campus. C&H has continued to work with Microsoft to obtain approval of a Master Plan from the City of Redmond for the original campus area and to subsequently implement the Master Plan. Issues on which we have helped Microsoft during implementation of the Master Plan included permit processing, traffic mitigation issues, and resolution of neighborhood concerns. Our work with Microsoft continues to involve expanding its World Headquarters beyond the original master planned area. This work involves rezones, traffic mitigation, wetland impact mitigation, dedication of land for public facilities such as streets, parks, and transit centers, and working with the Washington State Department of Transportation to expand SR-520 and construct a new interchange.
American Capital Development. We represent ACD in its development, financing and syndication of subsidized and commercial rate multi-family projects throughout the United States.
