Firm History
The Lyme Timber Company began investing in timberland and rural real estate in 1976. During its first 25 years, Lyme made a series of $1 million to $10 million investments in forestland properties throughout the eastern US.
Proceeds from Lyme’s early timberland investments and from offerings of limited partnership units in 1993 were used to capitalize Lyme Properties, a subsidiary company focused on the development of commercial real estate. Between 1993 and 2006, Lyme Properties became the largest life sciences property developer in New England. The Lyme Properties business was sold in a series of transactions culminating in 2007.
In 2022, The Lyme Timber Company LLC bought out the remaining passive interest of the original owners and is now 100% owned by current employees.
Fund History
In 2002, Lyme organized The Lyme Northern Forest Fund with $64.5 million in capital commitments. At the close of its investment period in 2005, this fund had invested in five properties totaling 260,000 acres. The fund was wound down in 2013.
In 2006, Lyme organized The Lyme Forest Fund with $190.6 million of capital commitments. At the close of its investment period in 2009, this fund had invested in seven properties totaling 433,000 acres. The fund was wound down in 2019.
In 2010, Lyme organized The Lyme Forest Fund III with $160.4 million in capital commitments. At the close of its investment period in 2014, this fund had invested in twelve properties totaling 230,000 acres.
In 2014, Lyme organized The Lyme Forest Fund IV with $250 million in capital commitments. At the close of its investment period in 2018, this fund had made nine investments totaling approximately 397,000 acres.
In 2018, Lyme organized The Lyme Forest Fund V with $300 million in capital commitments. At the close of its investment period in 2022, this fund had made five investments totaling 923,000 acres.
In 2019, Lyme organized The Lyme Conservation Opportunities Fund. As of December 2021, this fund had invested in six mitigation banks and one forest carbon sequestration project.