Community Preservation Corporation – Domino Sugar Factory
Represented an affiliate of the Community Preservation Corporation in the development of the 11.5-acre waterfront complex in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, that was formerly home to Domino Sugar. We advised on the site's rezoning, which resulted in one of the largest residential redevelopment projects in the city. We collaborated with Mayor Bloomberg's office, community leaders, and city and state departments and agencies on the design and development, and obtained approvals from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, the New York City Planning Commission, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
World-Wide Group – Land Use and Zoning
Representing the World-Wide Group in land use and zoning issues at a number of sites in Manhattan.
Escorial Affiliate – Prospect Heights Condominium Development
Represented an affiliate of Escorial in the redevelopment of a former parking garage in Prospect Heights into residential condominiums, including counsel on land acquisition, unused development rights, 421-a certificates, design and construction agreements and the condominium approval process.
Republic of Turkey – New York Consulate
Representing the Republic of Turkey in the development and construction of a new and expanded consulate at 46th Street and 1st Avenue across from the UN's General Assembly. Our work includes advice on government relations, real estate development and construction, leasing, land use and zoning.
Beijing Developer – Manhattan Development Site Acquisition
Represented a Beijing-based developer in the acquisition and financing of a gas station on Manhattan's west side. The developer intends to create a mixed-use building that will include residential condominiums and ground floor retail space.
HK Organization – Brooklyn Joint Venture Acquisition, Financing and Disposition
Represented an affiliate of HK Organization in the joint venture with a real estate fund to acquire, finance, refinance and subsequently sell the property known as The Chocolate Factory, a large, historic mixed-use building in Brooklyn with over 100 newly renovated residential units.
Deutsche Bank – $220 Million Theater District Financing
Advised Deutsche Bank in land use and zoning matters in connection with a $220 million completion financing loan for a condomininium conversion project in the Theater District.
The Lightstone Group – BSA Approval for Landmark Building Conversion
Represented The Lightstone Group in obtaining New York City Board of Standards and Appeals approval for a proposed alteration of a landmark, Garment District office building into a hotel.
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey – World Trade Center Land Use Counsel
Land use counsel to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in the development of the new World Trade Center complex.
Madison Realty Capital – CPC Approval for NoHo Historic District Development
Represented Madison Realty Capital in obtaining City Planning Commission approval for a proposed development in the NoHo Historic District.
Major Sports Team – Land Use & Zoning Advice
Represent a major professional sports team with respect to its zoning and land use matters.
Real Estate Developer – 600-Unit Rental Project in East Harlem
Represented a client on the approval of a redevelopment project for a 600-unit rental building to be built in East Harlem; the project features a 80/20 affordable housing arrangement.
KRE Group – 281 Fifth Avenue Assemblage and Sale
Represented the KRE Group in the assemblage of a development site including 281 Fifth Avenue, and the sale of the assemblage to Victor Nomad LLC. The deal included an adjacent air parcel with additional development rights and inclusionary housing certificates.
Financial Institutions – South Street Seaport Development Rights Sale
Advised a consortium of four large financial services companies on the sale of 333,000-sq.-ft. of development rights in Manhattan's South Street Seaport to the Howard Hughes Corporation.
Real Property Investor – Brooklyn Power Generating Facility Litigation
Represented the owner of a Greenpoint, Brooklyn waterfront property in a successful New York State Siting Board case against Transgas Energy's proposed waterfront power generating facility.
Youngwoo & Associates – Manhattan “Sky Garage” Condo Development
Represented Youngwoo & Associates LLC in developing a unique residential condominium building in New York's West Chelsea neighborhood, which features full-floor units with a parking facility for a car at each level. We advised on the land acquisition, construction financing and zoning issues.
Youngwoo & Associates LLC – Art Gallery Condo Development
Represented Youngwoo & Associates LLC in developing a 16-story condominium in New York's West Chelsea neighborhood. The building is designed to be an art gallery, and our work included an air rights acquisition and construction loan financing.
Sherwood Equities – High Line Acquisitions and Developments
Represented Sherwood Equities in connection with the acquisition of development sites at 508 West 20th Street and 360 Tenth Avenue, near the High Line Park. We also assisted Sherwood with the acquisition and sale of a significant amount of development rights; and the financing and development of the sites.
Property Owner – Landmarks Preservation Commission Guidelines
Represented the owners of a former bank branch in their attempts to lease the interior landmark space to a major national drugstore chain. We worked with the chain and its architects in adjusting its national store design guidelines to meet with standards set by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Real Estate Owner – BSA Building Permit Challenge
Represented a Brooklyn real estate owner before the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals in connection with a successful effort to prevent adverse parties from obtaining building permits.
Steiner NYC – Zoning and Land Use
Represented Steiner NYC in connection with the zoning and land use analysis of various New York City development sites, including the site of a 52-story residential rental tower in Downtown Brooklyn.
Real Estate Developer – Staten Island Retail Center Complex
Representing the Alpert family in connection with the development of a large shopping center complex in Staten Island. Our work includes a significant Uniform Land Use Review Process application involving street mappings, special permits, government relations activities and an environmental impact statement.
Toll Brothers – Joint Venture Development of Brooklyn Bridge Park
Advised Toll Brothers City Living, the urban development division of Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE: TOL), in its joint venture with Starwood Capital Group to develop a 550,000-sq.-ft. luxury hotel and residential complex at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Real Estate Developer – LPC Review for NoHo Property
Represented a residential building owner with respect to a special permit application and landmarks review for a new property in Manhattan's NoHo neighborhood.
Verizon Wireless – Appellate Victory in Cell Phone Tower Zoning Dispute
Represented Verizon Wireless in the company's successful appeal of a New Jersey township's denial of a variance allowing for the construction of a 140-foot cell tower. The victory followed a more than seven year effort to obtain approval for the project which aimed to provide service in a "dead zone" affecting the Princeton area. In a unanimous decision, the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division reversed a lower court's ruling, agreed with our argument that the township's zoning board had acted improperly and ordered the board to reconsider the application.
Real Estate Developer – Industrial-to-Residential Conversion
Represented a real estate developer in its application to the New York City Board of Standards & Appeals for a variance to convert an industrial building to a 100-unit residential building.
Real Estate Investment Company – Five-State Residential Portfolio Acquisition and Financing
Represented a major real estate investment and service company in its acquisition and financing of a five-state, 14-property portfolio of residential rental and condominium apartment complexes. The portfolio was financed through 14 first mortgage loans and 12 mezzanine loans, culminating in a four-day closing.
