Environmental Consulting for Real Estate Acquisition and Development
How We Serve Our Real Estate Partners
Environmental risk is critical in commercial property transactions, where even minor oversights can lead to major liabilities. Managing environmental due diligence in real estate transactions requires a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, site history, and future land use. ESE Partners is your partner for comprehensive commercial real estate environmental due diligence, from Phase I and II assessments to permitting, remediation, and environmental impact statement support.
Some firms focus narrowly on individual services, but we provide integrated real estate environmental assessments that address every phase of acquisition and development. Our inclusive approach delivers the real estate environmental reports clients need to move forward with clarity.
Mitigating Risk Through Environmental Due Diligence
Environmental due diligence in real estate transactions helps limit liability by identifying potential issues before acquisition or development begins. Our due diligence services include ASTM E1527-compliant Phase I ESAs, transaction screens, property condition assessments, and wetlands due diligence.
Building Sciences
Our real estate environmental assessments often include building sciences services such as asbestos, lead paint, and mold surveys, along with indoor air quality testing and air monitoring during abatement. These evaluations support health, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Remediation and Brownfields Redevelopment
ESE Partners supports real estate environmental due diligence through full-scope remediation and brownfields redevelopment services. We conduct site characterization studies, develop response action plans, and manage remediation from start to finish, facilitating stakeholder collaboration and regulatory compliance every step of the way.
Navigating Regulatory Compliance
We help clients meet regulatory requirements during commercial real estate environmental due diligence by managing every aspect of permitting. From wetlands and cultural resources to endangered species surveys, ESE Partners maps out a clear compliance path for development.
ESG Guidance
Our environmental due diligence in real estate transactions integrates ESG factors into acquisition and development strategies. We offer ESG reporting, regulatory insight, and planning guidance to align projects with evolving stakeholder and compliance expectations.
Environmental Challenges for Acquisition and Development
Real estate deals, especially commercial ones, often come with environmental issues that aren’t always obvious at first glance. Left unaddressed, those issues can stall progress or create long-term liabilities. ESE Partners helps developers, brokers, and investors get ahead of those risks early by uncovering concerns tied to past land use, existing site conditions, and shifting regulations.
From urban infill projects to open land development, our team knows how to spot environmental factors that can impact project outcomes. We offer practical, full-scope commercial real estate environmental assessments and solutions to identify and manage risk throughout the entire process.
Managing Environmental Liabilities in Urban Settings
Redeveloping commercial properties in urban areas often uncovers legacy contamination, aging infrastructure, or undocumented prior use. These variables make commercial real estate environmental assessments more complex and time-sensitive. ESE Partners helps clients manage these risks through rapid site evaluations, historical records reviews, and targeted subsurface investigations. We deliver critical real estate environmental reports and data that keep urban projects moving forward.
Quantifying Environmental Liabilities
Unlike firms that stop at site observations or generic reporting, ESE Partners offers real-dollar environmental liability forecasts. We quantify potential cleanup, permitting, and compliance costs based on site-specific findings, so clients have clear data to make investment decisions. This financial clarity gives stakeholders and investors greater confidence during commercial real estate environmental due diligence and negotiations.
Trust ESE for Your Commercial Real Estate Environmental Due Diligence
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scope of a Phase I ESA?
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is a comprehensive evaluation designed to identify potential environmental liabilities associated with a property. The scope of a Phase I ESA typically includes the following components:
- Records Review: This involves examining historical and current records related to the property and its surrounding area. This includes reviewing land title records, historical aerial photographs, fire insurance maps, and environmental databases to identify any past uses that might have led to contamination.
- Site Reconnaissance: A physical inspection of the property is conducted to observe current conditions and uses. This includes looking for signs of contamination, such as distressed vegetation, chemical spills, or storage tanks.
- Interviews: Interviews are conducted with current and past property owners, occupants, and local government officials to gather information about the property’s history and any known environmental issues.
- Report Preparation: The findings from the records review, site reconnaissance, and interviews are compiled into a comprehensive report. This report includes an assessment of any recognized environmental conditions (RECs) and recommendations for further investigation if necessary.
The goal of a Phase I ESA is to identify any potential environmental risks before a property transaction, helping to protect buyers and lenders from unforeseen liabilities. If any RECs are identified, a Phase II ESA may be recommended to further investigate the extent of contamination.
When do I need an asbestos survey?
An asbestos survey is typically required in several scenarios to ensure safety and compliance with regulations:
- Before Renovation or Demolition: If you are planning to renovate or demolish a building, an asbestos survey is necessary to identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that may be disturbed during the process. This is crucial to prevent the release of asbestos fibers into the air, which can pose serious health risks.
- Real Estate Transactions: During property transactions, especially for older buildings, an asbestos survey may be conducted as part of the due diligence process to assess potential liabilities associated with ACMs.
- Occupational Safety: If there are concerns about the presence of asbestos in a workplace, an asbestos survey can help identify and manage any risks to ensure a safe environment for employees.
- Regulatory Compliance: Compliance with local, state, and federal regulations often necessitates an asbestos survey. For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have specific requirements regarding asbestos management.
- Building Maintenance: Regular maintenance of older buildings may require an asbestos survey to ensure that any ACMs are properly managed and do not pose a risk to occupants.
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