Byron Carlson Petri & Kalb, LLC finds success in real estate projects
By RITA DUCKWORTH
The Edwardsville law firm of Byron Carlson Petri & Kalb, LLC continues to utilize its expertise in real estate law for the benefit of its clients in their real estate development opportunities. While the firm represents businesses in a wide variety of areas such as business formation, employment issues, and commercial litigation, one of its primary focuses is on real estate transactions and development.
As partner Christopher Byron explains, “We are currently handling all the legal work for several major real estate developments in the Edwardsville and O’Fallon area. As a result, we decided to form Edwardsville Title and Escrow, LLC, a boutique title company to serve our clients’ needs.” Besides providing legal advice and services to corporate real estate developers, the firm plays an active role in developing properties themselves.
Many high-profile properties in the Metro East are the result of Byron and his firm’s development efforts. Among the most notable ventures is Park Street Plaza, a project built in partnership with Plocher Construction. “The development is now complete and 100 percent-occupied,” says Byron. The five-story building is Edwardsville’s tallest. It contains Madison Mutual Insurance, Flint Law Firm, Crushed Red, Edward Jones, and Jilly’s Cupcake and Ice Cream Bar.
Also recently completed is Dewey’s Pizza in O’Fallon, Ill.
“The building is Dewey’s new prototype, standalone restaurant, larger than any of their other locations,” says Byron. “It was developed in conjunction with the law firm and our development relationship with Dewey’s.”
The firm’s largest project at the moment is Pin Oak Plaza, a 100-acre site located west of I-55 on Route 143. The firm is working to develop the site into a major center in the Metro East for “commercial and medical development” says Byron. Current plans include a Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, commercial retail space, a convenience store, and a medical office park. A lighted intersection will be built to ease access to the Plaza. The development will also serve as the main entrance and access point to the neighboring Edwardsville Family Sports Park.
Byron Carlson Petri & Kalb was formed when colleagues Chris Byron, Brian Kalb, and Christopher Petri left their previous firm to open their own practice. They later merged with Eric Carlson’s firm. The practice consists of the four partners, three associates, and four paralegals. In addition, Carlson’s father Jon G. Carlson, and Byron’s father the Hon. Nicholas G. Byron serve as “of counsel” attorneys.
Byron attended The University of Southern California and University of Illinois before getting his law degree from Washington University School of Law. He and his wife live in his native Edwardsville with their three children.