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Contact: Toni Valenti
212.267.6646 x 210
tvalenti@nycla.org
New York County Lawyers Association to Establish New Headquarters at 28 Liberty Street
April 11, 2019 – New York, New York The New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA) announced today that it has signed a lease at 28 Liberty Street in lower Manhattan to serve as its new headquarters and anticipates a move into the space in early 2020.
Formerly known as One Chase Manhattan Plaza, 28 Liberty had an infusion of over $150 Million in capital upgrades and boasts a Danny Meyer restaurant with breathtaking views on the 60th floor. Future plans for this venue include 200,000 square feet of retail space with an upscale restaurant, top music acts and a 10 screen movie theater set to open in the next few months. Located conveniently near the courts and only a few blocks from its current location, 28 Liberty is easily accessed by downtown’s new Fulton Street Station.
“This exciting development is the culmination of a long and deliberate process that we started in 2016. It marks the beginning of a new chapter, allowing NYCLA to better serve the needs of current and future members in a brand new space in a state-of-the-art building that will be an important downtown destination,” said Michael J. McNamara, NYCLA’s President.
The NYCLA Board of Directors unanimously voted on Monday, April 8th to approve the lease and authorize the sale of its current headquarters at 14 Vesey Street in lower Manhattan. The proposed sales transaction is subject to the approval of the New York State Attorney General and NYCLA is in the process of seeking that approval.
“If you look at law firms across the country, they look a lot different than they did even 10 years ago. Bar Associations should reflect their Members, and NYCLA recognizes that technology and the need for flexible space has become very important. We are very excited about the possibilities for our Members in this extraordinary new environment,” said NYCLA’s President-Elect Stephen C. Lessard.
Sophia J Gianacoplos, the Association’s Executive Director, notes that preserving the culture of the Association is also important. “Our new Home of Law will meaningfully advance NYCLA’s capacity to meet quickly changing Member needs. What makes NYCLA so compelling to our Members – opportunities to impact and shape the legal landscape, our inclusivity and welcoming sense of community – will be coming with us.”
NYCLA retained outstanding architectural, real estate and legal firms to advise the Association in this important project. The architectural firm Gensler engaged NYCLA in an extensive process to envision the optimal look and feel of a 21st Century bar association and develop a program for the new space. CBRE worked with NYCLA to market its existing building and identify a new home for the Association, and DLA Piper LLP provided legal representation in connection with the transactions.
About the New York County Lawyers Association
The New York County Lawyers Association (www.nycla.org) was founded in 1908 as one of the first major bar associations in the country that admitted members without regard to race, ethnicity, religion or gender. Since its inception, it has pioneered some of the most far-reaching and tangible reforms in American jurisprudence. For more information on NYCLA please visit nycla.org
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