The firm has acted as securities counsel for both issuers and underwriters for hundreds of millions of dollars of equity and associated debt offerings, including most of the residential developments in the Historic Warehouse District in New Orleans, several of which have been nationally syndicated by Merrill Lynch Private Capital Inc., Boston Bay Capital, Related Capital Companies and Dover Historic Properties. Additionally, the firm has represented several national equity investment funds with respect to tax, real estate and due diligence matters, The Sterling Companies and WNC & Associates, which invest equity dollars in real estate investments throughout the country. The firm also represents Chevron USA, Inc. in direct investments in tax advantaged properties, both historic and affordable housing.
The firm has been involved in the development of many of the largest commercial real estate projects in New Orleans. The firm's attorneys represented the City of New Orleans in the initial financing of the New Orleans Exhibition Hall. Additionally, members of the firm were on the legal team representing Louisiana World Exposition, Inc. (1984 World's Fair), and were instrumental in the leasing and assemblage of the Fair site. After the Fair, they represented The Rouse Company in the development of The Riverwalk, working closely with the City of New Orleans, New Orleans Dock Board, and New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, to structure a complex lease/ownership structure involving the public entities and private developers.
As noted above, Elkins, P.L.C. has been in the forefront of the development of historic properties, for both residential and commercial use. These projects involve real estate acquisitions, bond and conventional financing, tax planning, partnership law, historic preservation law, facade donations, zoning and title problems, long-term leasing and governmental regulatory problems. Additionally, the firm has significant expertise in the acquisition, development financing and syndication of affordable housing for low and moderate income families, as well as the elderly and handicapped. Many of these projects involve financing through HUD and Rural Economic and Community Development programs. In addition to a heavy concentration of projects in the New Orleans area, the firm represents both a national and a state-wide real estate client base.
Our firm has represented borrowers in connection with numerous HUD-insured financings. Additionally, we currently represent Historic Restoration, Incorporated in connection with the $26,000,000 HOPE VI St. Thomas development in New Orleans.
The firm's attorneys have substantial experience in retail shopping center developments, representing both the Westside and Elmwood Centers in real estate, organization, tax, acquisition and financing matters.
The firm is currently representing Historic Restoration, Incorporated in a $280,000,000 historic hotel development in St. Louis, as well as acting as counsel for Le Triomphe in the $250,000,000 redevelopment of the Maison Blanche Building into the New Orleans Ritz-Carlton. These projects involve financing, construction, rehabilitation, and operation of a hotel and retail operations.
