Melissa S. Rivers
Director
Boston
mrivers@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 4057Melissa S. Rivers
Director, Boston
mrivers@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 4057Related Expertise
Melissa Rivers is a trusted advisor to developers, landlords, and tenants navigating the complexities of commercial real estate transactions. Whether for existing shopping centers or new development projects, clients rely on her strategic counsel to move transactions forward with confidence.
Melissa brings deep experience to all aspects of commercial real estate, including acquisitions, leasing, financing, and dispositions. Her versatility makes her a go-to resource for sophisticated projects such as multi-property transactions, and the development and leasing of mixed-use spaces. Melissa’s primary focus is on retail development deals and leasing working with developers and retailers of all sizes.
First-hand business experience
When advising clients, Melissa draws on her in-house experience at a major national retailer, a publicly traded REIT, and a real estate development company—giving her a well-rounded perspective from all sides of a transaction. Her practical, coast-to-coast experience spans both the East and West Coasts of the United States, equipping her to navigate regional nuances with ease.
Advocacy & volunteer work
In addition to her robust practice, Melissa strongly supports organ donation. She volunteers for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, an organization dedicated to furthering education and providing support for those affected by pulmonary fibrosis. Melissa is also a member of 100 Women Who Care, a charitable giving concept where groups of women meet regularly to collectively donate to local non-profit organization and is a member of the committee for their annual golf tournament which supports efforts of philanthropy of young adolescents.
Melissa also serves as a mentor for the ICSC Foundation’s mentorship program.
Related Representative Matters
Brixmor, on matters across all regions in which it has a presence. Counsel spans supermarket leases, ground leases with restaurants, banks, and service-oriented users, plus anchor and junior-anchor boxes with national tenants.
Federal Realty Investment Trust in retail and office leasing at Assembly Row, a cohesive shop, dine, work, live and play property located in Somerville, MA. This multi-phased project is a mixed-use property that is transit oriented. Major retail tenants include AMC Theater and Legoland Discovery Center, as well as a variety of other retail, fitness and restaurant uses, including Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Tatte, CVS Pharmacy, Sephora, Chase Bank.
A real estate developer in connection with multi-property acquisitions and dispositions. Counsel spans the redevelopment of projects in California, including negotiation of site development and construction agreements, reciprocal easement agreements, and leases of all sizes, including a home improvement store and department store.
Wulf’s Fish, in connection with leases for processing and distribution facilities.
A buyer in connection with the acquisition and financing of a multi-unit residential apartment complex.
WS Development in connection with retail leasing throughout its diverse portfolio, including: • Seaport Square in Boston, MA, a 7.5 million square foot mixed-used retail, office, residential, and hospitality project featuring distinctive public parks and amenities; • Royal Poinciana Plaza, an approximately 190,000 sq. ft. high end boutique retail shopping project in Palm Beach, FL; • Hyde Park Village in Tampa, FL; • The Street Chestnut Hill in Brookline, MA; and • Market Street in Lynnfield, MA.
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Affiliations
- ICSC + US Law Program Planning Committee; Member
- CREW Boston; Member
- Boston Bar Association; Member
Admissions
- Massachusetts
- California
Education
Suffolk University Law School ( J.D. , 2007 )
Emerson College ( Master of Arts , 2000 )
Suffolk University ( B.A. , 1997 )