Bilzin Sumberg Attorneys Close $19.35 Million Construction Loan

Press Release
May 7, 2007

Dealmakers: Carey A. Stiss, Partner in the Real Estate Group at Bilzin Sumberg and Jason B. Myers, Associate in the Real Estate Group

Transaction: Representation of the lender in a construction loan for the development and construction of a 168-unit apartment complex in Jacksonville, Florida.

Borrower: Magnolia Village Holdings, LLC Lender: Merrill Lynch Capital, a division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc.

Loan Amount: $19,350,000

Closing Date: May 3, 2007

Details:

Bilzin Sumberg attorneys Carey A. Stiss and Jason B. Myers represented the lender in the negotiation and structuring of a $19.35 million construction loan. The loan will fund the construction of a 168-unit apartment complex at the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and Bartram Road in Jacksonville, Florida. Lee Hord, located in Merrill Lynch Capitals Atlanta office, is the loan officer who closed this transaction for Merrill Lynch.

About the Borrower

One of the principals of Magnolia Village Holdings, LLC is Atlanta-area businessman Michael Blonder, CEO and Director of residential community developer, Focus Development.

About the Lender

Merrill Lynch Capital (a division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc.) is a leading commercial finance business providing a broad range of structured financing solutions to middle market companies nationwide.

About Bilzin Sumberg 

Bilzin Sumberg is a commercial law firm based in Florida. The Firm’s core practices include Business Finance & Restructuring, Corporate, Environmental, International, Land Development & Government Relations, Litigation, Real Estate, and Tax. For more information, please visit bilzin.com.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Client Alert August 20, 2026
New York City's new pied-à-terre tax imposes up to 6.5% annual surcharges on high-value NYC homes not used as a primary residence. A court order has paused rollout, but Florida residents and foreign owners should act now to review exposure and structuring options.
Blog August 5, 2026
A recent ruling from the Miami-Dade Circuit Court casts doubt on the enforceability of settlement agreements between condominium unit owners and associations, particularly for hotel condominiums.
Client Alert August 4, 2026
Florida law requires local governments to credit developers, dollar-for-dollar, for infrastructure contributions against impact fees owed. Many jurisdictions lack a process for this—and many developers don't know to ask—resulting in costly overpayments.
VIEW MORE