Charles Martin III

Charles F. Martin III

Partner

Charles F. Martin III

Partner

  • Overview

    Biography

    Charles Martin, a Partner in the firm’s Real Estate + Development Group, is a transactional commercial real estate attorney with almost two decades of experience counseling clients on redevelopment projects, the acquisition and disposition of commercial real estate, joint ventures and commercial leasing and financing transactions. Charles's clients include real estate investments funds, developers, REITs, multi-national corporations, institutional, public and private lenders, retailers, municipalities, hotel chains, manufacturers and more. In addition, Charles also serves as "outside general counsel" for several clients.

    Development

    Charles represents developers and municipalities in connection with commercial real estate development projects, including having represented the City of Norwalk in a public-private partnership among the City of Norwalk, the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and Seligson Properties. The $600 million project was to be a major economic and social link in the city's plan to connect and unify central and south Norwalk along the West Avenue corridor, containing approximately 535,750 square feet of retail space, 350 residential units (approximately 15 percent affordable) and 75,000 square feet of office space. Legal services included all real estate, land use, environmental, and public finance aspects of the project, including drafting and negotiating the master developer agreement between the master developer, the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency, and the City of Norwalk and creating and drafting a statutory special services district that would have the power to contract for operating and maintaining public improvements within the boundaries of the district and the administration of the district.

    Sales and Acquisitions / Financing Transactions

    Charles represents sellers and buyers of commercial real estate throughout the country, including the acquisition and disposition of office buildings and retail centers. He represented the owner of a Greenwich office building that was sold for $51,000,000 and a New York based real estate fund in its purchase of an approximately $23,000,000 office building and a related $16,500,000 commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) loan.

    Leasing

    Charles represents landlord and tenants in office, retail, restaurant and industrial leases, including FactSet Research Systems, Inc., a NYSE company, in its approximately 175,000 SF headquarters lease in Norwalk, Connecticut, which was recognized as the 2018 Fairfield County Lease of the Year, and a global financial services software company in its national and international leasing needs including its headquarters lease in Manhattan and other leases in Orlando, Florida, Portland, Oregon and Toronto, Ontario, Canada, among others.   

  • Experience
    • Experience

      Experience

      • Representation of the City of Norwalk in conjunction with a mixed-use redevelopment project representing a public-private partnership among the City of Norwalk, the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency, and Seligson Properties. The $600 million project was to be a major economic and social link in the city's plan to connect and unify central and south Norwalk along the West Avenue corridor, containing approximately 535,750 square feet of retail space, 350 residential units (approximately 15 percent affordable) and 75,000 square feet of office space. Legal services included all real estate, land use, environmental, and public finance aspects of the project, including drafting and negotiating the master developer agreement between the master developer, the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency, and the City of Norwalk and creating and drafting a statutory special services district that would have the power to contract for operating and maintaining public improvements within the boundaries of the district and the administration of the district.
      • Represent large Connecticut-based health insurance company in the development and leasing of its new headquarters building.

      • Led the completion of a lease for the new 175,000-square-feet global headquarters of FactSet Research Systems Inc., a leading provider of integrated global financial information and analytical applications for the investment community, in Norwalk, Connecticut, which was awarded by NAIOP as the 2018 Fairfield County Lease of the Year.

      • Represent international group in the due diligence and acquisition of a golf course in Virginia.

      • Representation of a real estate investment fund that specializes in acquiring mid- and small-cap real estate investment properties throughout the United States. Property types have included office, hotel, multifamily, and, most recently, health care-related office buildings. In one of its funds, we represented the client in closing on seven office properties. Sellers have included international and national REITs. Each office transaction is structured to be Sharia law-compliant.

      • Represent equity partner in the negotiation of a joint venture agreement related to the development of several properties in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
      • Representation of an aerospace and defense company in the financing and aspects of the purchase of a $22 million research, development, and industrial facility in California.
      • Represented a group owning several Dunkin’ Donuts stores in its leasing and acquisition needs.

      • Represented global financial services software company in its headquarters lease at 285 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, and in its other national and international leasing needs, including leases in Orlando, Florida, Portland, Oregon and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 

      • Represented one of Connecticut's largest cities in the $1.2 billion redevelopment of a portion of its waterfront along Long Island Sound.
      • Represented the owner of two luxury clothing stores in its acquisition of another high-end clothing company.

      • Represented seller of an office building in Greenwich, Connecticut in an approximately $51 million transaction.

      • Represented investment banking firm in its headquarters sub-sublease of an entire floor at 277 Park Avenue, New York, New York. 

      • Represent large health care company in the approximately $90 million sale-leaseback of its corporate offices.
      • Represent large Connecticut hospital in its lease of medical space to several different medical practices.
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    • Professional Associations

      Professional Associations

      Fairfield County Commercial Brokers Network
      Secretary (2008 - Present)

      Fairfield County Bar Association
      Board Member (2013 - 2017)

      Urban Land Institute (ULI)
      Treasurer and Executive Board Member (2010 - 2012)
    • Honors + Awards

      Honors + Awards

      Listed as a Rising Star in the New York Metro Super Lawyers® list from 2009 to 2016. 

      Fairfield County Business Journal, 2012 "40 Under 40" Inductee

      Connecticut Law Tribune, recognized in 2013 New Leaders in the Law Yearbook

      Listed in the 2021 "300 Top Lawyers in Fairfield County" in the area of Real Estate published by Greenwich Magazine.

      Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Real Estate Law for 2023. 

    • Community Involvement

      Community Involvement

      New Covenant Center
      Advisory Council (2018 - 2019)

      Stamford Partnership
      Board Member (2015 - 2017)

      Fairfield University
      Board Member, Pre-Law Advisory Council
  • NEWS + PRESS
    • Publications

      Publications

      "Issues for Corporate Office Tenants to Consider When Subleasing," published in CBIA News and in Fairfield County Business Journal. Republished in the New England Real Estate Journal (August 20, 2010). (4/2010)

      "Don't Try to Use Estoppel Certificate to Change Lease Terms," published in Commercial Property Management Insider (5/2007)

      "Include Five Critical Operating Expense Protections in Your Lease," published in Commercial Tenant's Lease Insider (3/2007)

    • Presentations

      Presentations

      "Demystifying Lease Provisions," at CCIM Conference (3/20/2010)

      "Deal Savers (Various Techniques That Can Be Applied to Real Estate Deals to Enhance or Save Your Transaction," at CCIM Conference (9/2007)

      "Subleases: 10 Things to Consider," at Fairfield County Commercial Brokers Network (6/26/2009)

    • News

      R+C in the News

      • April 28, 2021

        Matt Guanci and Chuck Martin Represent Bridgeport Boatworks in Major Lease Transaction

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          Matt Guanci and Chuck Martin Represent Bridgeport Boatworks in Major Lease Transaction

          Business Transaction Group member Matt Guanci and Real Estate Development Group member Chuck Martin represented Bridgeport Boatworks in connection with its recent 11-year sublease agreement to Hornblower Group at Steelpointe Harbor in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Hornblower Group, a transportation company that operates the NYC Ferry, Statue Cruises, and other ferry and vessel operations at 125 U.S. cities as well as in the United Kingdom, will use Bridgeport Boatworks for haul-outs, maintenance, repairs, retrofits, renovations, modular assembly, docking and storage of vessels and marine equipment.

          Announcement of the transaction was made at a press conference on April 5, 2021, attended by Governor Ned Lamont, Congressman Jim Himes, Mayor Joe Ganim and other elected officials. It is hoped that this will be a key component in helping to further develop the Bridgeport Boatworks facility into a full-service commercial and retail marine destination. The development is planned for operation by the third or fourth quarter of 2021 and is expected to advance the site as an important hub for regional maritime services. Bridgeport Boatworks anticipates investing millions of dollars in site improvements and expansion of the facility’s infrastructure, including a 700-ton travel lift – among the largest in New England – for hoisting large vessels. The development is expected to bring as many as 100 jobs along with investments and increased waterfront activity to the city. State officials said significant additional job growth can also be expected as the business grows.

      • March 26, 2021

        Steve Elbaum, Frank Eucalitto and Chuck Martin Among “300 Top Lawyers in Fairfield County”

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          Steve Elbaum, Frank Eucalitto and Chuck Martin Among “300 Top Lawyers in Fairfield County”

          Business Transactions Group lawyer Frank W. Eucalitto and Real Estate + Development Group lawyers Steven L. Elbaum and Charles F. Martin III have all been listed in the "300 Top Lawyers in Fairfield County" published in the March 2021 issue of Greenwich Magazine. Frank was listed in the in the area of corporate finance mergers and acquisitions and Steve and Chuck were listed in the area of real estate. The list was compiled by Data Joe Research through peer voting and research. View the full list.

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      • April 3, 2015

        Stamford Lawyers Represent Award-Winning Client

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          Stamford Lawyers Represent Award-Winning Client

          Robinson+Cole represented Vineyard Vines, a Stamford-based clothing and accessory retailer, in all aspects of its lease to relocate its national headquarters. Real estate lawyer April F. Condon took the lead on the deal to ensure that the move was realized. Also involved in the project were real estate lawyers Steven L. Elbaum and Charles F. Martin III.

          Each year, the board of NAIOP Connecticut & Suburban New York, a chapter of the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, recognizes outstanding real estate stars for their positive impact on the community. Honored at NAIOP's annual Night of the Stars Awards Gala on March 10, 2015, Vineyard Vines was the winner in the Connecticut Lease category. The company's 91,000-square-foot new space at Shippan Landing on the Stamford Harbor Waterfront will enable it to hire up to 200 more employees over the next five years, positively influencing the economy in southwestern Connecticut and beyond. 

           

      • July 27, 2011

        Real Estate Partner Presents Commercial Lease and Commercial Acquisitions and Dispositions

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          Real Estate Partner Presents Commercial Lease and Commercial Acquisitions and Dispositions

          Real estate partner Charles F. Martin III presented “Trends in Commercial Lease and Commercial Acquisitions and Dispositions” at a seminar hosted by Bernstein Global Wealth Management at the Country Club of Darien, Connecticut, on July 20, 2011. The seminar focused on the state of commercial real estate and construction markets.
      • August 25, 2010

        Points to Consider Before Subleasing an Office Space

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          Points to Consider Before Subleasing an Office Space

          Real estate attorney Charles F. Martin III and former Robinson & Cole associate Amanda D. Lovelace coauthored “Unloading extra office space? Thoughts for corporate office tenants to consider when subleasing,” published in the New England Real Estate Journal. They discuss eight key tips to avoid potential pitfalls of taking on a subtenant. To read the article, click here.
      • August 19, 2010

        MHA of Southwestern Connecticut Celebrates First Development Under Neighborhood Stabilization Program

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          MHA of Southwestern Connecticut Celebrates First Development Under Neighborhood Stabilization Program

          The Mutual Housing Association of Southwestern Connecticut, Inc. (MHA) recently dedicated the completion of 100 Maple Avenue in Stamford, the MHA’s first property built under the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Mayor Michael Pavia and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Joan McDonald attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony with other federal and state officials. MHA acquired the property in foreclosure with assistance from Bank of America. Charles F. Martin and Steven L. Elbaum, real estate partners in Robinson & Cole's Stamford office, and former Robinson & Cole associate Amanda Lovelace provided legal services pro bono.

          Founded in 1990, MHA is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit housing and community development corporation based in Fairfield County. MHA’s mission is to create housing opportunities and revitalization projects that serve low and moderate income residents in Fairfield County.

          The Neighborhood Stabilization Program was established to stabilize communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment through the purchase and redevelopment of those properties.

      • March 16, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Attorneys Participate on Panel Discussion About Demystifying Lease Provisions

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          Robinson & Cole Attorneys Participate on Panel Discussion About Demystifying Lease Provisions

          Real Estate attorneys Edward S. Hill, Steven L. Elbaum, and Charles F. Martin III recently participated in a panel discussion on “Demystifying Lease Provisions,” hosted by the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) Institute’s Connecticut chapter. The discussion provided explanations and insightful advice on how to navigate lease negotiations, including gross-up provisions in leases, what to include and exclude from the definition of operating expenses, subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreements.
      • March 12, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Attorney Appointed to Executive Board of Urban Land Institute

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          Robinson & Cole Attorney Appointed to Executive Board of Urban Land Institute

          Real Estate attorney Charles F. Martin III has been named to the Executive Board of the Fairfield County/Westchester County Chapter of the Urban Land Institute (ULI). ULI is a nonprofit research and education organization with members in 95 countries representing the entire spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines, working in private enterprise and public service. The mission of ULI is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.

      R+C News Releases

      • August 18, 2022

        74 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2023

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          74 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2023

          74 Robinson+Cole lawyers were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023. Of the 74 lawyers from across the firm’s practice groups and offices named to the list, 54 are from Connecticut. The firm continues to have the highest number of recognized lawyers in the state. Robinson+Cole also has the highest number of listed lawyers in Connecticut in the areas of environmental law insurance law and construction litigation. Only the top 5.3 percent of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

          Additionally, the following five lawyers were named the Best Lawyers® 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” in Hartford, Connecticut, in the noted practice areas: Brian R. Smith in Land Use and Zoning Law, Christine E. Bromberg in Tax Law, James P. Ray in Litigation – Environmental, Joey Lee Miranda in Energy Regulatory Law, Norman H. Roos in Banking and Finance Law, Rachel V. Kushel in Employment Law – Management, Theodore J. Tucci in  Health Care Law and Virginia E. McGarrity – in Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law.

          The third edition of Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” was also released, includes 23 Robinson+Cole lawyers. The “Ones to Watch” recognition is given to attorneys early in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. The firm has the highest number of lawyers to receive this designation in Hartford, Connecticut. Read more in the press release.

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      • March 20, 2019

        Chuck Martin Involved in “Fairfield County Lease of the Year”

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          Chuck Martin Involved in “Fairfield County Lease of the Year”

          Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Charles F. Martin, III represented FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: FDS) in a commercial real estate lease recognized by NAIOP Connecticut & Suburban New York as “Fairfield County Lease of the Year 2018”. The award was presented during the organization’s annual Night of the Stars Awards Gala held at The Woodway Country Club in Darien, Connecticut on March 7, 2019. Read more in the press release. 

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      • January 2, 2019

        Chuck Martin Appointed to New Covenant Center Advisory Council

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          Chuck Martin Appointed to New Covenant Center Advisory Council

          The New Covenant Center (the “Center”), one of the largest soup kitchens and food pantries in the state, has appointed Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Charles F. Martin III to its Advisory Council. Opened in 1978 as a soup kitchen “to help the neediest in greater Stamford meet the most basic need for food in a dignified and respectful environment,” the Center serves 600,000 nutritious meals a year. Read more in the press release.

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      • October 18, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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          Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

          A total of 51 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2016. The Super Lawyers® designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas.

          In addition, 23 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.” An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here.

          See the list of included lawyers in the news release.

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      • October 19, 2015

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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          Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

          A total of 54 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2015. The Super Lawyers designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas.
          In addition, 21 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.” Read an explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology here. See the list of included lawyers in the news release.

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      • October 17, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers

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          Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers

          A total of 54 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York for 2014.The Super Lawyers® designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas.

          In addition, 21 attorneys at the firm were recognized as "Rising Stars." Read an explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology here.

          To see the recognized attorneys and their areas of practice, click here.

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      • November 13, 2013

        Robinson & Cole Lawyers Named “New Leaders in the Law”

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          Robinson & Cole Lawyers Named “New Leaders in the Law”

          The Connecticut Law Tribune honored three Robinson & Cole lawyers - Megan E. Baroni, Nuala E. Droney, and Charles F. Martin III - as New Leaders in the Law. They were among 62 attorneys, all under age 40, recognized in the New Leaders in the Law 2013 Yearbook, published November 4, and honored at an awards dinner on November 7 at The Bond Ballroom in downtown Hartford. Deputy Attorney General Nora R. Dannehy spoke at the ceremony. The Connecticut Law Tribune received more than 300 award nominations and honorees were selected based on examples of their legal work, pro bono efforts, and community involvement.

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      • October 22, 2012

        Super Lawyers® Names 49 Robinson & Cole Attorneys to 2012 List and Recognizes 26 as Rising Stars

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          Super Lawyers® Names 49 Robinson & Cole Attorneys to 2012 List and Recognizes 26 as Rising Stars

          A total of 49 Robinson & Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island for 2012. The Super Lawyers® designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas.

          In addition, 26 attorneys at the firm were recognized as "Rising Stars." Read an explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology here.

          Recognized attorneys and their areas of practice can be read in the full press release.

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      • June 29, 2012

        Charles F. Martin Receives “40 Under 40” Award from Fairfield County Business Journal

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          Charles F. Martin Receives “40 Under 40” Award from Fairfield County Business Journal

          Robinson & Cole real estate partner Charles F. Martin III has been recognized by the Fairfield County Business Journal as one of the 2012 "40 Under 40" award recipients. This honor is bestowed annually upon 40 business professionals under the age of 40 who have achieved distinction as leaders in their respective fields. The winners, selected for their "extraordinary leadership qualities, ongoing commitment to personal and professional development, and outstanding accomplishments that have made an impact" in their business sector, were recognized at an awards ceremony and reception on June 21, 2012.
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