Adam B. Taubman
Adam advises clients on the development potential of sites and on the repositioning of existing buildings, coordinates applications for complex discretionary land use approvals, and conducts land use due diligence for property acquisition and financing. He also assists clients with development site assemblages and negotiates complex transactions for the transfer of development rights.
Adam regularly appears on behalf of clients before New York City’s various land use agencies, including the City Planning Commission, the Board of Standards and Appeals, the Department of Buildings, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the Department of Transportation, the City Council and local community boards. He has secured rezonings, special permits, variances, zoning text amendments, large-scale development approvals, waterfront zoning approvals, vested rights approvals, and zoning interpretations to facilitate major development projects and enhance the value of his clients’ properties throughout the city.
Among his most notable recent work, Adam represented major health care institutions in obtaining zoning variances and related approvals for a new hospital center, a new ambulatory care facility, a new biomedical research building and an expanded emergency department. He obtained City Planning Commission and City Council approvals for the continued operation of Madison Square Garden and significant enhancements to signage. Adam also represented a major theater owner in the negotiation of a multi-party development rights transaction and in obtaining approvals from the City Planning Commission and Landmarks Preservation Commission for the substantial rehabilitation of a landmark theater.
Adam was selected to New York Super Lawyers in 2023 through 2025 and was recognized by City & State as a Trailblazer in Law in 2026.
Experience & capabilities
Selected matters
Secured key zoning and code interpretations to facilitate the residential conversion of existing commercial buildings throughout the city.
Representing a major health care institution in connection with the master planning of its 27-acre campus and related discretionary land use approvals.
Representing a major international retailer in connection with the development of a new flagship location in Midtown Manhattan, including in the prosecution of an application to the City Planning Commission and Metropolitan Transportation Authority for a transit floor area bonus and related zoning waivers.
Represented Madison Square Garden in obtaining City Planning Commission and City Council approvals for the continued operation of the arena and significant enhancements to signage.
Represented a prominent self-storage facility operator in securing key approvals from the Board of Standards and Appeals and the Department of Buildings to allow the continued operation of facilities within its portfolio.
Represented a major theater owner in the negotiation of a complex, multi-party development rights transaction and in obtaining approvals from the City Planning Commission and Landmarks Preservation Commission for the substantial rehabilitation of a landmark theater.
Represented an affordable housing developer in obtaining an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for the development of a 115-unit senior affordable housing building in Queens.
Represented major health care institutions in obtaining zoning variances and related approvals for a new hospital center, a new ambulatory care facility, a new biomedical research building and an expanded emergency department.
Represented a major developer in securing state and city approvals for the enlargement and reconfiguration of the World Financial Center.
Represented a major university in connection with land use approvals for new and converted academic buildings.
Represented Broadway Housing Communities, a nonprofit housing developer, in obtaining a rezoning and other land use approvals for the development of a 13-story mixed-use building containing 124 units of affordable housing and a children’s museum.
Sectors
Services
Background
Education
- J.D., magna cum laude, New York University School of Law, 2008
- Order of the Coif
- Robert McKay Scholar
- Dean's Scholarship Recipient
- Article Editor, Annual Survey of American Law
- Executive Board, Real Estate & Urban Policy Forum
- B.A., Psychology, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Yale University, 2004
Bar Admissions
Recognition
Chambers and Partners’ Chambers USA
City & State
Thomson Reuters’ New York Metro Super Lawyers*
New York City 40 Under 40 Rising Stars
Marvin Frankel Pro Bono Award
* No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the Super Lawyers selection methodology can be found here.
