Residential

We represented the architect of a 14-unit condominium conversion against breach of contract and negligence claims.

We worked on multiple matters involving claims relating to the construction of an apartment building and tenant disputes.

We successfully obtained a multi-million dollar arbitration award on behalf of our client, a large international developer of residential buildings in Manhattan in claims against its contractor, who delayed the project past substantial completion, caused defective work to be installed at the project and wrongfully terminated its contract.

We represented an architect/interior designer of a townhouse in Brooklyn in arbitration against error and/or omissions claims.

We are defending our client in an action involving claims by a former business partner in a California real estate transaction.

We represented an architect against breach of contract and negligence claims brought by the condominium board of two 15-story buildings in Manhattan.

We represented a high-profile developer in connection with project labor and construction management agreements for a significant condominium project.

We represented an architectural firm and its principles, individually, against claims of breach of contract and malpractice brought by the developer of a condominium.

We represented a major real estate developer and owner in the drafting and negotiation of license agreements with adjoining property owners, as well as preparing all construction contracts for construction of a 40 story residential development in Manhattan.

We are representing a contractor who specializes in luxury residential projects, in a dispute with a high-profile owner of a two-floor co-op in the fabled “Tower of Power,” building on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Home to some of New York’s titans of business, this Park Avenue building has seen its share of astronomical purchase prices for apartments and their subsequent renovations. Despite having successfully met the demands of the co-op board for getting the noisiest work completed during the summer, when building residents decamped for the homes in the Hamptons, Maine and Nantucket, the co-op owner was displeased when finishing touches were scheduled for the Fall and has refused to pay for the balance our client’s work. This dispute is being adjudicated in an arbitration forum.

Zetlin & De Chiara represented the owner of a luxury residence located in Southampton, New York in the design and construction contacts for a major renovation of a south-of-the-highway home. Agreements were signed with a world-renowned architect and a high caliber general constructor, as well as the top design professional, MEP engineer, structural engineer, landscape architect, lighting consultant, wind consultant, pool design consultant, and other design consultants. The project’s budget was over $20 million. 

We drafted and negotiated various redevelopment, design and construction management contracts, served as liaison for resolution of ongoing disputes including termination of contract, and defended architect and engineering design professionals in litigation.

We represented an international Owner/Developer of three condominium projects in a dispute with the Construction Manager in arbitration proceedings that continued in connection with delay and cost overrun claims totaling over $10 million on the multiple residential development projects.  

We successfully represented several design professionals with respect to a claim relating to the settling of a high-rise condominium tower in San Francisco in one of the most visible construction disputes in the United States.

We drafted and negotiated various design and construction management contracts and served as liaison for resolution of ongoing disputes including termination of contracts. 

We drafted the project agreements for a large luxury apartment complex on behalf of a world-renowned client in New York City.

A national real estate developer has a large, luxury residential project in New York City that was scheduled to be completed before the COVID-19 construction shutdown. The project, an 82 story, 162 luxury condominium unit tower in Mid-town Manhattan, has been in progress for seven years. The residential project was undertaken in concert with the major renovation of the Museum of Modern Art, one of the City’s most valued cultural institutions. The developer is now in a dispute with the contractor over damages for the delay in completion. We are advising the developer after having been involved earlier in the project with drafting and negotiating the construction contract as well as crafting and negotiating the project labor agreement governing wages and work rules for all labor working on the project.

Zetlin & De Chiara represented the owner of a triplex apartment on New York City’s Fifth Avenue in all the project-related agreements for the complex gut renovation. The estimated construction budget was greater than $20 million. We negotiated and crafted agreements with the world-renowned Architect, General Contractor, as well as top design professionals, including the structural engineer, MEP engineer, historic preservation consultant, expediting and code consultant, landscape designer, lighting designer, and other design professional consultants.

We represented an interior design architect against deficiency claims in connection with the interior design of an apartment in Manhattan.

We drafted and negotiated a full range of design and construction agreements on behalf of high net worth individuals in connection with multi-million dollar renovation projects of condominium/cooperative units, townhouses and homes in New York City, the Hamptons, Westchester, Bedford, Connecticut, Palm Beach, Aspen and Los Angeles.

We drafted and negotiated numerous access and license agreements with adjacent property owners on behalf of townhouse owners in New York City and Brooklyn in connection with renovation projects.

We successfully represented an engineering firm in connection with claims asserted against a State for substantial unpaid engineering fees arising out of a post Hurricane Sandy rehabilitation, reconstruction and mitigation program.

We represented a homeowner in connection with property damage claims against a utility company.

We were the lead counsel in an arbitration proceeding over the installation of a new HVAC system in a 2,820 unit, 15 building apartment complex in Manhattan, New York.

We represented a construction consulting firm in a large residential development.

We counseled residential project owners regarding project issues arising during construction, including issues relating to change order disputes, termination rights, liens, delays and construction/design deficiencies.

We are representing the owner of a several hundred unit rental property in Long Island, New York with respect to a claim relating to the design and construction of the roof, windows and building envelope, which have been compromised and is allowing a significant amount of water to infiltrate the building.

We arbitrated on behalf of owner with claims including fraud against a construction manager.

We represent one of New York's largest real estate developers in a dispute with an HVAC contractor. The project, a new high-rise residential tower in mid-town Manhattan, underwent major remediation of the heating and cooling system. The HVAC system was found to be defective and incomplete. The owner has engaged Zetlin & De Chiara to resolve the dispute.

We drafted and negotiated various adjacent property access and license agreements with adjoining neighbors, and resolved party wall disputes. 

We represented design team against claims that the construction of Manhattan condominiums resulted in subpar air and water quality.

We defended an architect in a lawsuit brought by the developer of a residential development in New York City in a suit claiming $13M in damages. 

We successfully represented a client in litigation involving a high-end residential condominium building concerning claims of defective design and construction of the fire-protection systems in Washington, D.C.