Introduction
Dara Newman Histed represents developers, landowners, and investors in commercial real estate transactions. Her clients execute transactions ranging from complex tax credit and affordable housing deals, to market-rate housing transactions, both involving joint ventures, development agreements, acquisitions, financings, and refinancings.
Her practice is focused on Massachusetts and the Washington DC area.
My focus
Acquisition, financing and development
I work with developers and owners on all aspects of acquiring, financing and developing multifamily housing. I recently worked with a developer to recapitalize and rehabilitate a 967-unit affordable apartment complex in Boston, Massachusetts. As another example, I work closely with the country’s largest apartment owner to sell its investments in affordable housing communities financed with low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs).
Joint venture transactions and general real estate transactions
I work with developers and institutional investors to draft and negotiate joint venture agreements for companies that are acquiring, developing, and operating multifamily properties across the country, some located within opportunity zones.
I represent landowners and developers with their general real estate transactions and assist on all aspects of real estate sales or acquisitions, including negotiating purchase and sale agreements and loan documents as well as managing the due diligence review process.
Land use and permitting
Another important part of my practice is land use and permitting work for buildings of all sizes. In one recent project, I helped obtain the needed permits and approvals to construct a market-rate apartment building in the Boston area.
Looking ahead
The Massachusetts governor is aiming to produce 10,000 multifamily housing units annually through 2020, especially dense developments near urban centers and public transportation. I am excited to work with the developers creating these units, helping the Commonwealth retain its talented young residents and provide housing for its aging population.
/Insights
Publications
- “Careers in Real Estate: Advice from Practitioners,” Urban Land Institute (panelist)
- If You Can’t Build It, They Won’t Come: Condominium Construction Moratoria and Gentrification,” Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review, Vol. 35, No. 3 (2008) (author)
Presentations
- “Getting started: Assessing the market, working with your tax credit agency, and understanding the development process,” IPED's Learn the Basics: Housing Tax Credits 101, Boston, MA, March 21, 2024
- “Getting started: Assessing the market, working with your tax credit agency, and understanding the development process,” IPED’s Learn the Basics: Housing Tax Credits 101, Boston, MA, March 23, 2023
- “Asses Your Rights and Duties at Year 15,” IPED’s 2022 Tax Credit Property Dispositions Conference, Philadelphia, PA, July 28, 2022
- “Getting Started: Assessing the Market and working with your tax credit agency and developers,” IPED’s Learn the Basics: Housing Tax Credits 101, Boston, MA, March 24, 2022
- “Affordable Housing Investment,” BISNOW Multifamily Annual Conference East (BMAC), McLean, VA, November 28, 2018
In the news
- Multi-Housing News
JV lands $153 million for affordable project in Boston
Nov 11, 2024The following article highlights NP for representing the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, in partnership with St. Francis House, to obtain $153 million in financing to develop a 19-story, 126-unit residential tower in Boston. The development will comprise 70 units of permanent supportive housing for those who have experienced homelessness and 56 units for workforce and middle-income households. Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate counsel Christina Ricotta led the NP team, which also included Washington, DC partners Dara Histed, of the AHRE practice, and Nick Anderson, of the Community Development Finance practice, and Boston AHRE counsel Karla Chaffee, associate Talia Burghard, and paralegal Vienna Kim.
- Law360
Nixon Peabody helps Boston supportive housing land $153 million
Nov 8, 2024The following articles highlight NP for representing the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, in partnership with St. Francis House, to obtain $153 million in financing to develop a 19-story, 126-unit residential tower in Boston. The development will comprise 70 units of permanent supportive housing for those who have experienced homelessness and 56 units for workforce and middle-income households. Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate counsel Christina Ricotta led the NP team, which also included Washington, DC partners Dara Histed, of the AHRE practice, and Nick Anderson, of the Community Development Finance practice, and Boston AHRE counsel Karla Chaffee, associate Talia Burghard, and paralegal Vienna Kim.
- New England Real Estate Journal
Nixon Peabody closes transaction to finance Worcester redevelopment
June 21, 2024This article covers a complex financing transaction that kicked off the first phase of a planned redevelopment of a Worcester (MA) Housing Authority property. Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Dara Histed is quoted in the coverage for representing Trinity Financial in the transaction. The NP team representing Trinity Financial also included strategic policy advisor and AHRE deputy practice leader Deborah VanAmerongen, New York City partner Kathie Soroka, Boston counsel Karla Chaffee, Boston associate Ali Sisson, Washington, DC associate David Hornstein, and Boston paralegal Vienna Kim, all of the AHRE practice.
- New England Real Estate Journal
Beacon and Harborlight host groundbreaking for Beverly Village
April 7, 2023This article, which covers the groundbreaking ceremony for a new seniors- and arts-focused affordable housing development north of Boston, mentions NP for advising Beacon Communities in the complex financing for the project. The NP deal team was led by Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner and General Real Estate & Transactional team leader Dara Histed and included New York City Project Finance & Public Finance counsel Barry Rothchild; and Boston counsel Karla Chaffee, Washington, DC associate Jamie Flesch, and Boston paralegal Vienna Kim, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice.
- Boston Real Estate Times
Beacon Communities and Harborlight Homes host groundbreaking for Beverly Village for Living and the Arts
March 7, 2023This article, which covers the groundbreaking ceremony for a new seniors- and arts-focused affordable housing development north of Boston, mentions NP for advising Beacon Communities in the complex financing for the project. The NP deal team was led by Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner and General Real Estate & Transactional team leader Dara Histed and included New York City Project Finance & Public Finance counsel Barry Rothchild; and Boston counsel Karla Chaffee, Washington, DC associate Jamie Flesch, and Boston paralegal Vienna Kim, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice.
- Law360
Attorneys who moved up the firm ranks in Q4
Feb 15, 2023This article highlighting partner-level promotions in Q4 of 2022 includes San Francisco Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Alison Torbitt’s promotion to co-leader of the Environmental team, Washington, DC AHRE partner Dara Histed’s promotion to leader of the General Real Estate & Transactional team, and Rochester AHRE partner Matthew Carrigg’s promotion to deputy leader of the General Real Estate & Transactional team.
- Seniors Housing Business
Beacon, Harborlight plan intergenerational adaptive reuse for former Briscoe School in Beverly, Massachusetts
Jan 25, 2023This article mentions NP for advising Beacon Communities in a complex financing deal that will transform a former school just north of Boston into senior and arts-focused affordable housing. The article notes this is the first time an affordable housing deal in Massachusetts utilized American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner and General Real Estate & Transactional team leader Dara Histed led the NP team, which also included New York City Project Finance & Public Finance counsel Barry Rothchild; and Boston counsel Karla Chaffee, Washington, DC associate Jamie Flesch, and Boston paralegal Vienna Kim, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice.
- Providence Business News
Providence Realty Investment gets refinancing for nine affordable housing sites
Nov 30, 2022Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Julie Stande is quoted in this article highlighting the firm’s work advising Providence Realty Investment in the refinancing of its Rhode Island affordable housing portfolio. Julie led the NP deal team, which also includes Washington, DC partner and General Real Estate & Transactional team leader Dara Histed, Boston associates Ali Sisson and Jason Kim, and Boston paralegal Vienna Kim, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice.
- Seniors Housing Business
Nixon Peabody advises on $104 million refinancing of affordable housing portfolio in Rhode Island
Nov 17, 2022This article highlights the firm’s work advising client Providence Realty Investment in the refinancing of its Rhode Island affordable housing portfolio. The article mentions the NP deal team, which was led by Boston partner Julie Stande and included Washington, DC partner and General Real Estate & Transactional team leader Dara Histed, Boston associates Ali Sisson and Jason Kim, and Boston paralegal Vienna Kim, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice.
- Washington Business Journal
Jair Lynch continues acquisition spree with first Loudoun apartment buy
This article on client Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners’ $105.5M acquisition of a Loudon County, Virginia apartment complex mentions NP for serving as Jair Lynch’s legal counsel. The deal team includes Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate partners Colette Dafoe and Dara Newman Histed and associate Jamie Greenfield. Washington, DC Complex Commercial Disputes partner Le Dolan has played an integral role in developing the client relationship.Jan 20, 2022 - The Deal
Deal diary-Blackstone and KKR chalk up more insurance investments
July 15, 2021In two separate articles, the publication highlighted the firm for advising American International Group, Inc. in the pending sale of a $5.1 billion affordable housing portfolio to Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust. Washington, DC Community Development Finance partner Liz Young is noted in one of the stories for leading the NP deal team.
In addition to Liz, the NP team includes Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Dara Histed, Project Finance & Public Finance partner Carla Young, Community Development Finance senior counsel Jeff Lesk, and Corporate partner John Partigan, all of Washington, DC; Global Finance partner Amanda Darwin, Affordable Housing & Real Estate associates Julie Stande and Ali Walendziak, and Community Development Finance associate Nury Aguasvivas, all of Boston; Affordable Housing & Real Estate associate Emily Schwebke and Project Finance & Public Finance resident attorney Jacalyn Smith, both of Chicago; Manchester Affordable Housing & Real Estate associate Talia Burghard; Long Island Affordable Housing & Real Estate paralegal Lori Esposito; and Los Angeles Corporate paralegal Mina Gonzaque-Taylor.
- Affordable Housing Finance
People on the Move
This roundup of personnel moves in the affordable housing space highlights the promotions of Los Angeles Community Development partner Sonia Nayak, Washington, DC, Affordable Housing and Real Estate partner Dara Newman Histed, and New York City Affordable Housing and Real Estate partner Dana Roper, all of whom officially joined the NP partnership this month.Feb 10, 2020 - The Deal
Movers & Shakers
This column of notable executive moves in the legal industry included a write-up on the promotion of Nixon Peabody’s 2020 new partner class: Laura Bacon, Shariff Barakat, Katie Baynes, Robert Fisher, Kimberly Harding, Brian Mahoney, Sonia Nayak, Dara Newman Histed, Morgan Nighan, Chris Porzio, Rachel Pugliese, Dana Roper, and Peter Trimarchi.Feb 4, 2020 - Reuters Legal
Career Tracker: Lawyers on the Move
This roundup of personnel moves in the legal industry highlights the 13 members of Nixon Peabody’s 2020 new partner class: Laura Bacon, Shariff Barakat, Katie Baynes, Robert Fisher, Kimberly Harding, Brian Mahoney, Sonia Nayak, Dara Newman Histed, Morgan Nighan, Chris Porzio, Rachel Pugliese, Dana Roper and Peter Trimarchi.Feb 3, 2020 - Law360
Don't miss it: Nixon Peabody pilots Tegna’s $105M TV stations deal
Washington DC partner and team leader John Partigan is mentioned in this article for leading the deal team in Tegna Inc.’s $105 million acquisition of local television stations in Ohio and Texas. The deal team also included partners Sean Clancy, Brian Kopp, Jean McCreary and Denise Pursley; counsel Todd Shinaman; and associates Pierce Han, Dara Histed, Carolyn Lowry and Dana Stanton.Aug 24, 2018
Admitted to practice
Massachusetts
District of Columbia
Education
Boston College Law School, J.D., cum laude
Haverford College, B.A.
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 in the field of Real Estate Law
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllChristopher R. Froeb
Partner / Practice Group Leader, Real Estate & Affordable Housing- Boston
- Office:+1 617.345.1137
- cfroeb@nixonpeabody.com
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Ian T. O'Banion
Partner / AIA / LEED®AP- San Francisco
- Office:+1 415.984.8313
- iobanion@nixonpeabody.com
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