John S. Stolz is a Member of the Firm and practices in Lowenstein Sandler's Real Estate Practice Group. Mr. Stolz represents a broad array of clients nationally in all facets of real estate, with a focus on complex transactions involving the acquisition, disposition and leasing of commercial properties, including multi-family projects. Mr. Stolz also counsels borrowers in securing financing from institutional lenders, life companies and pension funds, and is well-versed in documenting securitized and insured financing arrangements through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and various HUD programs. His transactional background includes representing clients in connection with the purchase and sale of loans, including distressed debt, as well as forming joint ventures and coordinating the deployment of private equity alongside funds, REITs and other investors. Mr. Stolz also regularly represents national restaurant franchisees in connection with site acquisition, store development, fee and leasehold financing and portfolio management.
In addition to his transactional practice, Mr. Stolz represents real estate developers in both obtaining local land use approvals and navigating the complex regulatory framework related to environmental permitting, including wetlands, waterfront development and CAFRA permits. In his development practice, Mr. Stolz regularly appears before local planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment, and has represented parties in both prerogative writ actions and administrative appeals in connection with either local land use approvals or permits from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. He also represents parties in the redevelopment context, including both redevelopers and objectors to redevelopment plans and related blight determinations, and has been involved in the planning and implementation of significant mixed use projects throughout the State.
Over the past several years and with the combined effort of Lowenstein Sandler's Tech Group, Mr. Stolz has developed a niche practice in representing venture-backed companies negotiating leases in New York City's "Silicon Alley". Representation in this dynamic sector requires a sensitivity to the unique needs of emerging tech companies receiving their first capital raise, or evolving companies which are either growing out of their first space or making their final approach toward a big exit. By representing a wide range of virtual unknowns to household tech names, Mr. Stolz has gained valuable insight into the life cycle of these companies, and their real estate needs at each stage of that cycle.
Recent Representative Transactions:
· Represented real-time advertising tech leader in sophisticated sub-to-direct lease of 66,000 sq. ft. headquarters in NYC's Flatiron District.
· Represented Liberty Travel, Inc., and its affiliates, in connection with the disposition of its national real estate portfolio.
· Represented Liz Claiborne in connection with the disposition of its 600,000 sq. ft. distribution facility in Hudson County, New Jersey.
· Represented major self-storage operator in connection with the disposition of its New Jersey and New York self-storage portfolio to a major investment fund.
· Represented major real estate investor in the systematic disposition of its New Jersey office and industrial properties, and subsequent replacement of those investments with Class "A" multi-family properties in 5 states through a combination of IRC Section 1031 like-kind exchanges and Freddie Mac financing.
· Represented nationally prominent real estate company in the purchase of senior debt on New Jersey hotel properties.
· Represents two, locally prominent super market chains in various aspects of site acquisition, development and portfolio management.
· Represents major restaurant franchisee in connection with site acquisition and leasehold financing for the development of nationally prominent casual dining restaurants in New Jersey and New York.
· Represented significant Newark landowner in negotiating ground lease for the financing and development of a multi-tiered senior care campus, including apartments, adult medical day-care and nursing home facilities.
· Represented a nursing home operator in the disposition of a portfolio of 5 long term are facilities in Oklahoma.
· Represented several nursing home operators in the refinancing of various projets under HUD's Section 232 LEAN Program.
· Represented Jersey City Medical Center in connection with obtaining final endorsement from HUD of a $200 million financing package used for the construction of its state-of-the-art medical and ambulatory care center.
· Represented prominent real estate developer in negotiating ground lease for the construction and operation of a heliport fixed based of operations.
· Represents a substantial industrial property owner in the leasing, development and administration of a 5,000,000 square foot industrial facility in Hudson County, New Jersey.
· Represented Jersey City Medical Center in the negotiation of a ground lease with a national developer for the construction of a 75,000 square foot medical office building.
· Represented a real estate investor in the formation of a joint venture with a prominent fund for investment in multi-family properties across the country.
· Represented General Growth Properties in connection with the land use permitting and approvals for its 96,000 sq. ft. lifestyle center expansion at Bridgewater Commons regional mall.
Mr. Stolz has been recognized as a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers (2011, 2010 and 2009).
Publications
· Absolute Assignment of Rents Does Not Always Bar Debtor's Use of Business Income for Reorganization Efforts
ABI Committee News - Real Estate Committee, August 2011
John Stolz, Wojciech Jung
· National News and Developments
Real Estate Newsletter, February 2011
Edward Hunter, John Stolz, David Tlusty
· New York News and Developments
Real Estate Newsletter, February 2011
Edward Hunter, John Stolz, David Tlusty
· New Jersey News and Developments
Real Estate Newsletter, February 9, 2011
Edward Hunter, John Stolz, David Tlusty
· New Jersey News and Developments
Real Estate Newsletter, October 2010
Edward Hunter, John Stolz, Lowell Plotkin
· New Jersey News and Developments
Real Estate Newsletter, July 2010
Paul Kizel, James Stewart, John Stolz, David Tlusty
· National News and Developments
Real Estate Newsletter, July 2010
Edward Hunter, Brian Silikovitz, John Stolz, Norman Spindel, Richard Horne, David Tlusty
· New York News and Developments
Real Estate Newsletter, July 2010
Edward Hunter, James Stewart, John Stolz
Press Mentions
· John Stolz comments on the recent Supreme Court ruling in Iron Mountain Information Management Inc. v. The City of Newark which impacts whether or not commercial tenants are entitled to notice of a proposed blight designation under the provisions of New Jersey's Local Redevelopment and Housing Law., GlobeSt.com, August 2010
· Lowenstein Sandler's announcement of new Members of the Firm, David B. Haber and John S. Stolz, is highlighted., NJBiz, February 2, 2009
· Lowenstein Sandler's announcement of new Members of the Firm, David B. Haber and John S. Stolz, is highlighted., Metropolitan Corporate Counsel, February 2009
Affiliations
· New Jersey Bar Association
· Union Center National Bank, Advisory Board (2008-present)
· National Association of Office and Industrial Properties (NAIOP)
· Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY)
· Homes Fit for Heroes Foundation, Secretary (2010)
· ReCon Advisors - President (2007-present)
· Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter - Board of Directors (2000 - 2006)
· Lady Liberty Academy Charter School - Board of Trustees