Development, Land Use & Zoning

Assist multiple real estate developers in connection with the development of mixed-use projects to be built over the Massachusetts Turnpike. These transformative projects include extensive work on agreements with transportation agencies, local, state, and federal permitting, and analysis of engineering and construction challenges.

Counseling a large, urban university in connection with the development of a new science and engineering building. Assisted the client with all aspects of the master planning and land use matters related to this development project.

Representation of a privately-held real estate developer in connection with the redevelopment of Bulfinch Crossing, also known as the Government Center Garage Redevelopment project, in Boston, MA, with particular focus on agreements with the MBTA relating to the transit station at the project site.

Representation of the YMCA of Greater New York in a number of mixed-use developments, including the negotiation of contracts of sale, development agreements and condominium arrangements for new branches in Chinatown, Chelsea and downtown Brooklyn, as well as in two bond issuances by the New York City Industrial Development Authority, the proceeds of which were used to finance, or refinance, improvements made to a number of YMCA branches.

Representation of Time Warner Inc. in connection with various aspects of the development of Time Warner Center.

Representation of New England Development (NED) in its master planning and development of University Station, a transit-oriented, 120-acre, 2 million-square-foot, mixed-use development in Westwood, Massachusetts, that lies adjacent to a regional Amtrak station and is composed of 750,000 square feet of retail, 650 units of multifamily residential, 325,000 square feet of office, 100 units of assisted living and 160 hotel rooms. The firm represented NED in the financing, development, leasing and disposition of the property, as well as in structuring joint venture agreements with co-developers.

Representation of the New York City Economic Development Corporation in connection with the redevelopment of the Seward Park Urban Renewal Area, encompassing nine sites on the lower east side of Manhattan. The project was structured to accomplish a number of public goals, including the development of 1,000 new residences (half market rate and half affordable) and the relocation of the Essex Street Market, an iconic public market.  The project also includes 450,000 square feet of retail, 400,000 square feet of office space, community attractions, and green spaces.  Our work required a public RFP process and negotiation with multiple bidders, purchase and sale agreements, condominium documents, and innovative restrictive covenants.

Representation of The Kraft Group (TKG) in the permitting and development of Patriot Place, a 1.4M SF office, retail, entertainment and hotel complex at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.  The firm previously assisted TKG with securing federal, state and local approvals to build the $325 million professional football and soccer stadium.

Representation of Georgetown University in connection with zoning and entitlement approvals for its Campus Plan, which has included coordinating related approvals for its clinical partner, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Georgetown is a longstanding client of the firm and has been key to our industry group’s platform in the District. Several years ago, we advised the university in its development of Georgetown Community Partnership, a project focused on fostering collaboration for future planning within the university, the community and the city. Large institutions generally undergo the master planning process every 10 years, but through this unprecedented collaboration, Georgetown has secured approval for a plan that will oversee campus development over the next 20 years. We have also been working with Georgetown University and MedStar Georgetown to secure approval for a 500,000-square-foot medical and surgical pavilion that would see the existing hospital complex expanded and modernized. Serving as the university’s chief land use counsel, we guided Georgetown in connection with all aspects of the planning process, including coordination with the community and—and its hospital partner—to develop this inclusive plan.

Representation of Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRIT) in connection with the development of Assembly Row in Somerville, Massachusetts. This partially completed mixed-use project is composed of multiple parcels and entitled for up to 2,100 residential units, 1.75 million square feet of commercial space, 512,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and cinema space and a 200-room hotel. In addition, the project includes construction of a bus and light rail mass transit station. Goulston & Storrs provided counsel in connection with structuring a series of transactions with AvalonBay for the latter to develop the first two parcels. Both will include ground floor retail space and multifamily residential rental units above. This project also included Brownfields redevelopment, condominium ownership structuring, improvements to state owned parks, REIT tax and other compliance issues and retail leasing.

Assisting developers in renovating, demolishing, and otherwise converting office buildings to residential apartment, hotel, and other uses, including by obtaining entitlements and special exceptions, working with neighboring property owners, negotiating contracts and development agreements, and working through environmental and contamination issues.

The City of Boston launched an update to its comprehensive housing plan – “Housing A Changing City: Boston 2030” – designed to address housing needs at a time when Boston’s population was growing faster than expected. The update set new goals for housing production, including the goal of improving the quality and quantity of student housing for college students to free up conventional housing units for the local community.

The City asked local colleges and universities to join the initiative and provide additional on-campus student housing. Our client, a major research university, didn't hesitate to answer the City's call.

Representation of Samuels & Associates in the zoning approval, local, state, and federal permitting, development, and closing on an air rights lease with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in connection with the construction of the Parcel 12 Air Rights mixed-use project over the Massachusetts Turnpike in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.

Representation of multiple private and non-profit organizations in the development and implementation of coordinated mixed-use developments for arts, medical, and other institutional uses.