Land use

Our land use practice is one of the most well respected and experienced in New York City. With a core group of partners and a cadre of other lawyers and planners, we offer unsurpassed technical knowledge, industry insight and experience. 

Our lawyers handle large and complex land use matters, representing most of New York's leading developers and institutions and advising on many of NYC’s most high-profile projects. Our goal is to help clients add value to their property and developments while minimizing regulatory risks and processes. To do this, we work on all the land use aspects of site development in New York City, including:  

• Counseling as to regulatory compliance, issues and opportunities. 

• Due diligence for purchases and financings. 

• Negotiating and documenting development rights transactions. 

• Securing as-of-right and discretionary approvals under the city’s zoning and historic preservation laws. 

• Advising on litigation strategies to assert our clients’ rights or defend their land use approvals. 

• Advising on tax incentive and economic development matters and eminent domain proceedings. 

Our lawyers have obtained public approvals for many of New York City’s highest-profile projects and best-known institutions and buildings, including:  

• Each of the five supertall buildings at the southern end of Central Park, including One57, 432 Park Ave., Central Park Tower, 220 Central Park South and 111 W. 57th St. 

• Rezonings, zoning variances and development projects throughout the City. 

• Restorations, enlargements and new construction in virtually every historic district in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. 

• The City’s major developers, as well as national and international corporate brands. 

• Major colleges, universities, hospitals, museums and other non-profits. 

• Lincoln Center, Broadway theaters and other performing arts venues. 

Many of our team members have served in senior positions in city administrations, where they acquired unsurpassed institutional insight and experience. Our lawyers also hold leadership roles in the Real Estate Board of New York, the leading industry association.