NEW YORK CITY-A trio of residential development veterans hasjoined forces as Trio Partners with an eye toward capitalizing oncurrent market opportunities. They’re also launching a nationalmultifamily brand, Trio Properties, and cofounder Pamela F. Samuelstells GlobeSt.com the company expects to be announcing its firstdeals before 2010 is done.

TRIO Partners aims to focus on repositioning existingmultifamily and hospitality projects as well as on developing newones in key markets along the coasts and in resort areas, and hasplans to complete several luxury condominium projects in theNortheast in partnership with financial institutions. “It’s reallynot enough anymore to just foreclose on assets,” Samuels says. “Youneed capable operating/development partners.”

She adds that the Trio principals, which also include Robert A.Levine of RAL Cos. and David J. Wine, formerly vice chairman of theRelated Cos., are “fortunate to have the trust of many primaryinstitutions. They have been actively seeking to partner withus.”