Christopher R. Froeb
Partner / Practice Group Leader, Real Estate & Affordable Housing
Introduction
Chris Froeb leads the firm’s Real Estate & Affordable Housing practice and focuses on representing local and national developers, investors, and owners in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including joint venture transactions, development and management agreements, acquisitions, sales, financings, and refinancings.
My focus
Joint venture transactions and general real estate transactions
I work routinely with local and national developers and institutional investors to create joint venture companies that target a single property or portfolios across all real estate asset classes. In connection with any joint venture transaction, our team will also negotiate any applicable development agreement, construction management agreement, property management agreement and asset management agreement.
For any general real estate transaction, I assist clients in all aspects of a sale or purchase, including, without limitation, drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, leases and loan documents. In addition, I also manage and perform the due diligence and other site acquisition services needed to ensure my clients are protected and transactions close efficiently.
Industrial properties
Over the last couple of years, we have seen a significant rise in industrial property acquisitions and portfolio building. Over that time, I’ve represented core and opportunistic buyers of these industrial properties around the country.
Multifamily housing
Multifamily housing acquisitions and development remain a key focus for many of our clients in certain key U.S. markets. I continue to represent buyers and developers of market-rate multifamily housing as well as institutional investors with continued interest in multifamily housing or mixed-use assets.
Seniors housing and care
I am the head of our Seniors Housing & Care team. Our clients in the seniors housing industry remain focused on the development of assisted living, memory care, and independent living (age-restricted) assets. Those clients remain focused on the strong demand for seniors housing options. Our team regularly assists clients in the acquisition, development, and financing of all seniors housing asset classes.
Restructuring and workouts
My restructuring and workout experience includes representing borrowers, investors, subordinate lenders and institutional lenders in workouts of commercial and securitized loans, distressed property sales, foreclosures, and deed-in-lieu transactions.
Sale/Leaseback
I have represented owners and investors in seniors housing, industrial, and office properties during the structuring and implementation of sale/leaseback transactions. My experience includes the formation of joint ventures and the creation of private real estate investment trusts (REITs) in connection with the sale/leaseback.
Looking ahead
Like everyone, I’m focused on the length of the current cycle and very high cost of construction. However, I am optimistic that certain markets and major asset classes will ultimately remain successful even in the face of slowed growth.
In the news
- Law360
Nixon Peabody attorney on housing and tariffs
Feb 19, 2025Boston partner and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice leader Chris Froeb is featured in this Q&A, discussing the potential impact of tariffs on the construction industry and commercial developers, as well as how tariffs could affect the affordable housing sector
- Law360
Housing policy to watch in 2025
Jan 8, 2025Boston partner and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice leader Chris Froeb and AHRE deputy practice leader and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen are quoted in this article covering housing policies to watch in 2025. Chris discusses office-to-residential conversions and related costs while Deborah discusses the possible impact corporate tax rates could have on Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.
- Boston Business Journal
Boston landlords are ready to fight the city on building values
Jan 4, 2024Boston partner and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice leader Chris Froeb is quoted in this article, which discusses downtown Boston commercial real estate assessments and landlords’ willingness to apply for property tax abatements. Chris discusses the evolving sentiment among landlords and that this issue is front of mind for the firm’s clients.
- New England Real Estate Journal
Fallon joins Nixon Peabody’s real estate practice as a partner in Boston
Oct 27, 2023This article highlights the NP arrival of Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Kristen Fallon. The article also quotes Boston partner and AHRE practice leader Chris Froeb and Boston Office Managing Partner Jim Vallee.
- Law360
Nixon Peabody gains threat response pro from Massachusetts DHS
Sep 29, 2023This article covers the NP arrival of Director of National Security and Resiliency Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe, noting her previous role as Massachusetts Undersecretary for Homeland Security. The article also quotes Boston Office Managing Partner Jim Vallee and Boston partner and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice leader Chris Froeb.
- Law360
Nixon Peabody adds REIT partner
Sep 7, 2023The following article highlights Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Kristen Fallon’s arrival to NP. Kristen is quoted in the Law360 article, which also quotes Boston partner and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice leader Chris Froeb and Boston Office Managing Partner Jim Vallee.
- Bloomberg Law
Nixon Peabody adds real estate partner Kristen Fallon in Boston
Sep 7, 2023The following article highlights Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Kristen Fallon’s arrival to NP. Kristen is quoted in the Law360 article, which also quotes Boston partner and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice leader Chris Froeb and Boston Office Managing Partner Jim Vallee.
- Boston Business Journal
He’s got a hand in real estate, hockey, and film production
May 16, 2023Boston partner and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice leader Chris Froeb is quoted in this article profiling Sam Slater, managing partner for NP client Tremont Asset Management LLC. Chris talks about Sam’s involvement in all aspects of a deal.
- Connect CRE
2022 Lawyers in Real Estate Awards
Dec 6, 2022Boston partner Chris Froeb, leader of the firm’s Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice, is profiled in this article as a recipient of the publication’s “2022 Lawyers in Real Estate Awards” for the Boston & New England region. Attorneys were selected for excelling in their practices and their contributions to the community.
- Boston Business Journal
Nixon Peabody names Jim Vallee managing partner in Boston
This article highlights the appointment of Jim Vallee as managing partner of the firm’s Boston office, mentioning his military service and details of his time on Beacon Hill as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The article also quotes Managing Partner and CEO Steve Zubiago and mentions former Boston office managing partner Chris Froeb, and his selection to lead the firm’s Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice.July 25, 2022 - Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
Promotions
This column features Boston partner Chris Froeb’s selection as leader of the firm’s Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice. The article mentions Chris’ previous role as Boston office managing partner.July 22, 2022 - New Hampshire Business Review
Legal briefs
This roundup of legal industry news includes the selection of Boston partner Chris Froeb to lead the firm’s nationally recognized Real Estate practice.July 14, 2022 - Bloomberg Law
Wake up call
The following article highlights the selection of Boston partner Chris Froeb to lead the firm’s nationally recognized Real Estate practice. The Law360 article also includes a quote from PFIRE department head Michael Goldman noting that Chris will build on the many successes of former PGL, Long Island Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Denise Pursley.July 14, 2022 - Law360
Nixon Peabody announces new real estate practice leader
The following article highlights the selection of Boston partner Chris Froeb to lead the firm’s nationally recognized Real Estate practice. The Law360 article also includes a quote from PFIRE department head Michael Goldman noting that Chris will build on the many successes of former PGL, Long Island Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Denise Pursley.July 13, 2022 - Boston Business Journal
Here's how Massachusetts businesses are celebrating Juneteenth
This article, highlighting how several prominent Boston-area businesses are recognizing Juneteenth, quotes Boston office managing partner Chris Froeb on the importance of the holiday and NP’ s plans to close the firm’ s offices.June 17, 2022 - The Boston Globe
As labs replace offices across Greater Boston pushback is mounting from wary neighbors
This article, focusing on the rapid growth of biotech labs in Greater Boston and the conversion of office space to labs, quotes Boston co-office managing partner Chris Froeb, of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate group, for his outlook on how officials should listen to local concern and find solutions that will avoid the risk of losing jobs to other regions.Oct 26, 2021 - Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
Go To Lawyers: Commercial real estate
This special feature highlights Boston co-office managing partner Chris Froeb, of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate group, as a “go to” commercial real estate attorney in the state.June 28, 2021 - NJBiz
Joint Venture Buys Jersey City Affordable Apartment Portfolio for $127M
This article mentions the firm for representing Hudson Valley Property Group LLC in its partnership with Nuveen Investments for the purchase of a 412-unit affordable apartment portfolio in Jersey City. The deal team included New York partner Aaron Yowell and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, Boston partner Chris Froeb, and Washington, D.C. partner Susanna Mitchell, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate group.Oct 22, 2020 - Affordable Housing Finance
Hudson Valley Property Group and Nuveen Acquire New Jersey Portfolio
This article mentions the firm for representing Hudson Valley Property Group LLC in its partnership with Nuveen Investments for the purchase of a 412-unit affordable apartment portfolio in Jersey City. The deal team included New York partner Aaron Yowell and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, Boston partner Chris Froeb, and Washington, D.C. partner Susanna Mitchell, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate group.Oct 21, 2020 - Real Estate Weekly
Nuveen JV buys 400-unit affordable apartment portfolio
This article mentions the firm for representing Hudson Valley Property Group LLC in its partnership with Nuveen Investments in the purchase of a 412-unit affordable apartment portfolio in Jersey City. The deal team included New York partner Aaron Yowell and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, Boston partner Chris Froeb, and Washington, D.C. partner Susanna Mitchell, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate group.Oct 13, 2020 - Law360
Law360 names attorneys who moved up the firm ranks in Q4
This roundup of attorneys promoted to firm management in the fourth quarter of 2019 features Boston Office Co-Managing Partners Kathleen Ceglarski Burns and Chris Froeb.Jan 14, 2020 - Reuters Legal
Career Tracker
This roundup of personnel moves in the legal industry highlights the promotions of Complex Commercial Disputes partner Kathleen Ceglarski Burns and Affordable Housing and Real Estate partner Chris Froeb to co-OMPs of the Boston office.Nov 12, 2019 - Boston Globe
Developers Cool to Downtown Boston Sites the State Sees as Hot Properties
Boston real estate partner Chris Froeb is quoted in this article for his view on why the state has struggled to sell two pieces of prime real estate in downtown Boston.Feb 22, 2018 - Banker & Tradesman
Swedish investor pays $64.25M for South Boston apartment tower
Boston real estate partner Christopher Froeb and associate Christina Ricotta are mentioned as counsel representing the buyer in the sale of a South Boston, Massachusetts apartment building.Dec 20, 2016 - Boston Business Journal
Boston business leaders react to news of President-elect Donald Trump
This article is a roundup of Boston-area business leaders’ reactions to the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Boston Real Estate partner Chris Froeb comments on the impact the Trump administration may have on the Boston real estate community.Nov 9, 2016 - Banker & Tradesman
Swedish Investor Adds To Cambridge Multifamily Portfolio
Boston real estate partner Christopher Froeb and associate Christina Ricotta are mentioned in this article representing Akelius US LLC in its acquisition of Forest Court Apartments in Massachusetts.Oct 4, 2016 - Banker & Tradesman
Swedish Investor Acquires South Boston Properties for $169M
This coverage notes Akelius Residential AB’s purchase of two properties in South Boston. Real Estate partner Chris Froeb and Real Estate associate Christina Ricotta are noted as Akelius’ counsel.Oct 16, 2015 - Boston Business Journal
People on the Move
This coverage notes that Boston Real Estate attorney Chris Froeb has been elected to the firm's partnership.Feb 4, 2014
Admitted to practice
Massachusetts
New York
Education
Suffolk University Law School, J.D., cum laude
Boston College, B.A.
Professional activities
- Boston Bar Association
- Massachusetts Real Estate Finance Association (REFA)
- NAIOP
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 in the field of Real Estate Law and listed in Best Lawyers since 2020
- Recognized by Mass Lawyers Weekly as a Massachusetts Go-To Commercial Real Estate Lawyer for 2021
- Recognized in the 2014 edition of The Legal 500: USA as a Leading Lawyer in the Real Estate category and as a 2012 “Rising Star” by Massachusetts Super Lawyers magazine
Insights And Happenings
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Partner / AIA / LEED®AP- San Francisco
- Office:+1 415.984.8313
- iobanion@nixonpeabody.com
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David B. Allswang
Partner / Head of National Leasing Team- Chicago
- Office:+1 312.977.9242
- dallswang@nixonpeabody.com
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