LaKritz Adler Development's Sale of the Famous Starbucks Building

An experienced real estate developer, Robb LaKritz leverages his training to serve as the managing partner of LaKritz Adler Development in Washington, D.C. In this role, Robb LaKritz leads a firm that has acquired and sold several prominent buildings, including the Starbucks Building by Dupont Circle.

In April of 2014, Harbor Group International purchased the Starbucks Building by Dupont Circle in one of the largest D.C. retail transactions per square foot in recent history. Located at 1501 Connecticut Ave. NW, the building was sold for $16.2 million by an affiliate of Lakritz Adler Real Estate Investments. 

Brokered by Calkain Cos., the purchase of the 10,000-square-foot property came to $1,672 per square foot, or approximately 886 coffees per square foot. In addition to a 3,700-square-foot Starbucks, the building features additional office and retail space. Calkain Cos. put the building on the market for just less than $17.5 million, and sold it for the extremely low cap rate of about 4.3 percent.

Emory Law Professor Receives Randolph Thrower Achievement Award

Since 2004, Robb LaKritz has served as managing partner of LaKritz Adler Development, LLC, a real estate development firm in Washington, D.C. Robb LaKritz came to this role having earned a juris doctor from Emory University School of Law, which recently announced that Professor A. James Elliott received the Randolph Thrower Lifetime Achievement Award. 

The State Bar of Georgia’s Committee to Promote Inclusion in the Profession has conferred the Randolph Thrower Lifetime Achievement Award to Emory Professor A. James Elliott. Named after Emory Law alumnus Randolph Thrower (class of 1936), the award recognizes an attorney who demonstrates a dedication to increasing diversity and promoting the inclusion of underrepresented groups in the legal field.

Elliott graduated from Emory Law in 1966 and went on to practice law at the Atlanta-based firm of Alston & Bird for 28 years. A former president of the State Bar of Georgia, he also cofounded Georgia's Legal Services Program, which has served nearly one million Georgians with limited resources. He is also a cofounder the state’s Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program. This program has raised more than $100,000,000 to support legal charities and legal services programs. Also recognized for his teaching, Elliott was given the Emory Williams Distinguished Teaching Award in 2012.

The 8415 Fenton First Baptist Church Project

The chairman and CEO of LaKritz Holdings, LLC, a family office and private equity investment firm, Robb LaKritz also served as a managing partner with LaKritz Adler Development, LLC. As part of his duties with LaKritz Adler Development, Robb LaKritz oversees the restoration of class A historical buildings throughout the Washington, DC, metro area.

One of LaKritz Adler Development’s recent projects is a joint venture with the First Baptist Church of Silver Spring (FBCSS) to recondition a two-acre property located in Silver Spring, Maryland, for use by the church. The property, which is located on the corner of Fenton Street and Wayne Avenue, is close to local transportation links, like the Purple Line Metro Station, and public amenities, such as a branch of Whole Foods and the local library.

The redevelopment project will involve the construction of 230 residential units, alongside 30,000 square feet of retail space and a public plaza. The FBCSS will take ownership of a 45,000-square-foot space, where it will build a brand-new church.

A Project to Redevelop the First Baptist Church of Silver Spring

Robb LaKritz heads LaKritz Adler Development, LLC, and directs a broad spectrum of Washington, DC-area real estate renovation, investment, and management activities. Among Robb LaKritz’s current projects is a retail and residential development on the former site of the First Baptist Church of Silver Spring in Maryland.

The project was initiated in 2013 in tandem with the church, with a plan to replace the aging sanctuary with a vibrant development that included shops, apartments, and a new church building. Constructed between the 1920s to the 1950s, the old church buildings on the site were in urgent need of repair and no longer met the needs of the congregation. The process of simply bringing the building up to code would have required a $5 million outlay, and a decision was made to engage in a development that would help create a more vibrant Silver Spring community.

As envisioned by LaKritz Adler Development, the redevelopment will serve as a bridge between the downtown area and surrounding residential neighborhoods. It will encompass a six-story, 259-unit apartment building, as well as ground-floor retail businesses. The newly constructed church will include classrooms, a sanctuary, and a children’s day care center. 

The Aspen Seminar on Leadership, Values, and Good Society

Robb LaKritz is an accomplished private equity investor and the chairman of LaKritz Holdings, a globally diversified private investment firm. Also recognized as a civic leader and steward for community preservation, Robb LaKritz is involved in organizations such as the TED World Economic Forum and the Aspen Institute.

A Washington, DC-based organization that is focused on education and policy studies, the Aspen Institute strives to provide a means to deal with important issues in a nonpartisan context. The organization works toward this goal through a global fellowship program, policy programs, and events such as conferences and seminars.

The Aspen Seminar on Leadership, Values, and Good Society is one such event. A roundtable format meeting that has been held for nearly 60 years, the seminar is scheduled for September 10-16, 2016 in Aspen, Colorado. The event employs a Socratic style discourse on what a good and just society actually means, and it offers professionals a chance to take a break from daily demands and revitalize their mind and body.

Three Chilean Wines to Complete Your Collection

Robb LaKritz, a real estate investment professional, maintains an extensive personal wine collection. In addition to French and Italian wines, Robb LaKritz collects wines from Chile.

Fine wines from Chile are plentiful. Build a personal collection by including these Chilean bottles.

Casas del Bosque 2012 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon: The country is best known for its production of cabernet sauvignon grapes. Unlike those grown in coastal regions, the fruit imparts warmer flavors when harvested from arid regions. The 2012 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, which gives off a lemony scent, contains black fruit aromas that pair well with oak. Expect licorice flavors to linger.

Montes 2012 Purple Angel Carmenere: Slightly more expensive than the cabernet above, this wine contains Chile’s proprietary grape, carmenere. While spicy, the grape helps create a smooth finish when combined with dried and smoked herbs. When drinking this wine, you will notice hints of blueberry and boysenberry as well as subtle flavors of tobacco.

Concha y Toro 2013 Terrunyo Costa Los Boldos Vineyard Block 5 Sauvignon Blanc: The sauvignon blanc grape thrives in the cooler regions of Chile. Herbal, citrus, and fruity qualities are best represented. The wine elevates citrus acidity with passion fruit and grapefruit flavors. An editor’s choice by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, the wine is described as “focused and smooth.” 

Commission by Agustina Casas Sere-Leguizamon Garners $12,000

 

A co-founder of LaKritz Adler Real Estate Development, Robb LaKritz divides his time between leading the firm and chairing LaKritz Holdings LLC. In his spare time, Robb LaKritz supports the arts; his fiancee Agustina Casas Sere-Leguizamon, is a renowned artist.

In 2015, affluent members of society gathered at the Auberge sales center to support the Global Gift Foundation. The organization hosted a charitable auction with the support of the Eva Longoria Foundation and the Ricky Martin Foundation, with Longoria and Martin serving as auctioneers.

Attendees bid on unique experiences, such as going backstage with Ms. Longoria to view the show Telenovela and getting a behind-the-scenes look at Mr. Martin’s tour. Among the most sought-after items was a commission by Agustina Casas Sere-Leguizamon. An artist of Uruguayan descent, she specializes in digital portraits. Her work, which includes a piece dedicated to Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, has been exhibited throughout Europe. The high bid was $12,000, which gave the winner a photo session with the artist as well as a framed digital portrait.