Matthew J. Kiefer
Of Counsel
Boston
mkiefer@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 6597Matthew J. Kiefer
Of Counsel, Boston
mkiefer@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 6597When real estate developers and owners need to obtain parcel dispositions and entitlements from public agencies for complex urban projects, Matthew Kiefer is a trusted resource.
Matt has a particular focus on projects involving collaborations between for-profit developers and non-profits or public agencies and projects that address unique policy, feasibility, and design challenges. These include market-oriented, mixed-income and affordable housing; commercial and mixed-use projects; and facilities and master plans for universities, cultural institutions, and other non-profits. He is a Fellow of the esteemed American College of Real Estate Lawyers and is recognized by Chambers USA as “a pre-eminent force in development and land use work.”
In addition to his law practice, Matthew teaches in the Master in Real Estate program at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and has written and spoken widely on land use topics.
Civic Leadership as an Urban Development Advocate
Through sustained civic engagement, Matthew takes an active role in improving the city where he works and lives in areas from zoning and permit modernization to open space and historic preservation. He generously shares his knowledge and perspective about design, development, and land use policy, and encourages thoughtful debate on how to reshape cities to meet their 21st century challenges.
Related Representative Matters
National and regional real estate developers in securing developer designations from multiple public authorities, including the Boston Planning and Development Agency, Boston Housing Authority, Mayor’s Office of Housing, Massport, and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Guided clients through the complexities of land and air rights projects, public housing redevelopments, and affordable housing initiatives, enabling transformative projects in urban renewal areas, the Seaport, and along the Mass Turnpike and Central Artery.
Major institutional investors and property owners on regulatory approvals to convert Boston office buildings into state-of-the-art life science facilities. Navigated zoning and permitting challenges to enable timely repositioning of assets in response to market demand.
Leading developers in obtaining approvals for large-scale real estate projects in Boston’s Seaport District, including residential, hospitality, retail, technology, and lab spaces. Supported one of the city’s fastest-growing neighborhoods, facilitating mixed-use development across apartments, condominiums, hotels, and commercial hubs.
National developers on master-planned, phased projects approved under Boston’s Planned Development Area provisions, including Seaport Square, a 6.3-million-square-foot development on 23 acres, and the Harrison-Albany project, a 700,000-square-foot mixed-use community in the South End. Strategic guidance ensured coordinated approvals across multiple phases and asset classes.
For-profit and non-profit developers on residential projects throughout Boston’s neighborhoods, including Allston-Brighton, Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston, Fenway, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Roxbury, the South End, and the West End. Secured approvals for market-rate, mixed-income, supportive housing and affordable housing developments, managed compliance with Boston’s Inclusionary Development requirements, and advanced public housing redevelopments through creative public-private partnerships.
Developers and institutions in obtaining state waterfront licenses under Chapter 91 for projects incorporating innovative climate resilience strategies. Notable projects include Clippership Wharf in East Boston, the Innovation and Design Building in the Ray Flynn Marine Park, and facilities in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Our work enabled sustainable waterfront development while advancing regulatory compliance.
Leading hospitals and universities, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Northeastern University, the Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, and Harvard University’s Allston campus, on institutional master plans and related projects. Representation has included collaborations with private developers to deliver student housing and other revenue-generating campus facilities, addressing complex zoning and community issues.
Cultural and nonprofit organizations on the development and expansion of significant facilities across Boston. Work includes securing approvals for expansions of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, as well as new facilities for The Possible Project, United South End Settlements, the Boston Society for Architecture, Historic Boston Incorporated, and the Emerald Necklace Conservancy.
Developers and institutions in the adaptive reuse and historic restoration of landmark properties in the Back Bay, South End, and Beacon Hill historic districts. Our guidance helped balance preservation requirements with modern design and use needs, enabling projects that enhance Boston’s historic fabric.
Developers and civic organizations on the formation, regulatory approvals, and funding of public-private partnerships to create publicly accessible open spaces. Work has supported projects that combine private development goals with community benefits, advancing urban design and public access across Boston.
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Recognition
Chambers USA Guide
June 5, 2025
Accolades
- Elected to Honorary Membership, American Institute of Architects, 2020
- Elected to Honorary Membership, Boston Society for Architecture, 2017
- Elected Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL), 2012
- Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, Massachusetts, 2019, 2021-2025 (Band 1)
- Martindale Hubbell Peer-Review Rated AV Preeminent™
- Boston Magazine
- Top Lawyers, Real Estate, 2021
- Top Attorneys in Massachusetts, 2016
- Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers® (2016, 2019, 2025): Land Use and Zoning Law
- Best Lawyers in America®, (2008-2017, 2020-2026): Land Use and Zoning Law - Real Estate Law
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2019-2024
Affiliations
- Teaching: Lecturer, Master in Real Estate Program, Harvard Graduate School of Design
- Planning and Policy: Current Executive Committee member and past Chair, Boston Municipal Research Bureau; Co-Chair of Advisory Board and member of Management Committee, ULI Boston; Board Member, Leventhal Map and Education Center
- Regulatory Reform: City of Boston Article 80 Reform Steering Committee; Inclusionary Development Policy Mayor's Working Group; MEPA Climate Change Adaptation Advisory Committee; Mass DEP Chapter 91 Waterways Work Group
- Design and Historic Preservation: Council of Advisors and former Board President, Historic Boston Incorporated; Chair, Truro Historical Commission
- Open Space: Co-founder, Emerald Network; Member, Trustees Collaborative for Open Space
Admissions
- Massachusetts
Education
University of Michigan Law School
Boston University
Harvard University Loeb Fellow