Allan E. Low
- San Francisco
A trusted advisor in real estate, Allan helps clients finance, develop, build, rent, buy, and sell properties in an increasingly regulated environment.
Allan Low represents financial institutions and project sponsors in financing real estate transactions and construction projects, including loan originations, loan modifications, loan workouts, troubled debt restructuring, forbearance agreements, receiverships, and deed in lieu transactions. He also advises capital partners and project sponsors on structuring real estate ventures, such as the formation of real estate limited liability companies and limited partnerships.
Allan guides project sponsors and property owners through the purchase and sale of single assets and portfolio transactions, including office, retail and industrial leasing, lease amendments, and lease restructuring. He advises property owners on subdivisions, easements, and other land-sharing arrangements, as well as on zoning amendments, special-use districts, variances, conditional use permits, and obtaining and defending issuance of permits, and other land use entitlements.
Allan has worked for more than 30 years with nonprofit affordable housing organizations and lending institutions to develop and finance affordable housing projects, as well as to preserve neighborhoods and keep residents in their apartments. Outside of his legal practice, Allan is active with Chinatown and Asian American organizations.
Education & Credentials
Education
- University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco, J.D.
- University of California, Berkeley, B.S.
Bar and Court Admissions
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California
Professional Recognition
The American College of Mortgage Attorneys, Fellow, 2023
J. Shan Mullin Annual Community Leadership and Service Award, Perkins Coie, 2021
API Legal Outreach Legal Impact Award, 2021
Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Real Estate Law, 2018-2024
Recognized as a "Super Lawyer" by Northern California Super Lawyers magazine, 2004-2019
Impact
Professional Leadership
- San Francisco General Hospital Foundation, Director, 2024
- SPUR, Board Member, 2015-2017
- State Bar of California, Real Property Section; Ad Hoc Committee on Documentary Transfer Tax; Northern California Real Estate Finance, Chairperson, 1999
- Bar Association of San Francisco, Fee Arbitrator, 1993-2008
- San Francisco Recreation & Park Commission, Vice President and Commissioner, 2012-2021
- Chinatown YMCA, Board Member, 1993-2010, Chairperson, 1996-2002; Board Emeritus, 2019
- Asian American Bar Association, Director, 1992-1996, 201-2012; Public Affairs Committee, 2018-present
- The Hamlin School, Board of Trustees, 2004-2011
- St. Luke's Preschool, Board of Trustees, 1999-2005
- Chinatown Community Housing Corporation, Board of Directors, 1993-1996
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Experience
Construction Loan
Represented agent and lead lender on a $232 million construction loan, including due diligence investigations and opinions, perfection of cross-border security, negotiation of loan documents and collateral assignments, and syndication of loan to 11 lenders.
Recapitalization of Mixed-Use Project
Represented capital partner in connection with the recapitalization of development and construction of a retail, hotel and luxury project. Representation included structuring of special purpose entity and venture entities, land use analysis of project approvals.
Public Private Partnership
Represented the University of California, San Francisco in connection with a public private partnership and $185 million bond to develop and construct a facility for the Department of Children and Family Psychiatry, including negotiation of master lease, sublease and additional subleases.
Residential Units in Hunters Point Shipyard
Represented lender in connection with construction financing of construction of residential units in San Francisco’s Hunters Point Shipyard. Transaction included collateral assignments of development agreements and land use entitlements, negotiation of construction contracts, due diligence investigations, inter-creditor agreement with EB-5 financing, and coordination of construction insurance program.
Purchase and Financing of Office Building
Represented project sponsor in connection with acquisition, construction of capital improvements and conversion to permanent financing of an office building. Transaction included lease analysis, estoppel certificates, subordination and nondisturbance agreements, zoning analysis and due diligence investigations, subordination of secondary debt and negotiation of a commercial mortgage backed security loan.
Representation of Financial District Building
Represented San Francisco Financial District Office Building in connection with all leasing matters, lease modifications, lease terminations, building service agreements and advice on enforcement of leases. Representation includes advice on property taxes, increases in gross receipt taxes and building operations.
Transitional Housing for Veterans
Represented project developer with the development and construction of 84-unit transitional housing for homeless veterans. Project included creation and adoption of special use district, negotiation of lot line adjustments and reciprocal easement agreements, long-term ground lease with governmental agencies, and acquisition and construction financing of project.
Preservation of Affordable Housing for Low-Income Seniors
Represented financial institution in connection with the litigation and negotiation of the unwinding of an expiring ground lease structure, subleases and notice of restrictions. Transaction eventually resulted in the structuring of long-term financing and sale of property to a nonprofit affordable housing developer preserving affordable housing units occupied by low-income seniors and keeping a legacy neighborhood business in place.