Expertise in Real Estate Law and Transactions
Mr. Kessler specializes in public-private transactions, including ground leases and subway station improvement agreements. He also deals with leasehold condominiums for not-for-profit organizations, particularly in Times Square. Mr. Kessler has represented owners and tenants on net leases, commercial leases, and telecommunications matters. He has also prepared and negotiated contracts for real estate development and improvement, as well as occupancy, and operation.
Role in NYC Real Estate Ventures
Prior to joining Rosenberg & Estis, Robert Kessler was Senior Counsel at the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC). He played a key role in forging many of New York City’s largest and most sophisticated public/private real estate ventures. These ventures include the 42nd Street/Times Square redevelopment, Metro-Tech, Brooklyn Renaissance Plaza, and Queens West. He also represented EDC and the New York City Industrial Development Agency (IDA). He worked on many other sale, lease, development, construction, privatization, regulatory, contracting and financing matters.
Expertise in Real Estate Law and Public/Private Transactions
Mr. Kessler’s diverse experience includes land use and zoning, environmental regulation, legislative affairs, and condemnation. He also has experience with tax abatements and exemptions, New York City and State procurement and public approval processes. Additionally, he has expertise in corporate retention incentive transactions and privatization of City assets. He is a recognized speaker on public/private partnerships and has been honored as a New York Super Lawyer.
As a prominent real estate attorney in New York City, Mr. Kessler continues to provide unparalleled legal representation and sound counsel to clients in the industry. His wealth of knowledge and experience make him a valuable asset to anyone seeking legal guidance in this complex area of law.
Notable Work
Robert Kessler is a highly accomplished and experienced real estate attorney in New York City. He has an impressive track record of representing prominent clients in complex transactions. Mr. Kessler’s notable work includes representing an international hotel company on the sale of a high-profile asset in midtown Manhattan, and leading a team of attorneys representing The Durst Organization with respect to lease extension and multiple signage-related agreements in connection with Nasdaq’s relocation of its headquarters to 151 W. 42nd St. (f/k/a 4 Times Square), completing a complicated transaction in a compressed time frame.
Notable Representations
He has also represented a charitable foundation in the net lease of an 11-story building on 5th Avenue, the formation of a leasehold condominium and the leaseback of certain space. Furthermore, Mr. Kessler has led a team of attorneys representing Durst Broadcasting LLC in multiple simultaneous agreements to relocate broadcasters to One World Trade Center and in several subsequent agreements with broadcasters.
In addition to his high-profile work, Mr. Kessler has continuously represented owners with respect to construction management and general contractor agreements, including representation of over 10 different clients in construction management agreements or general contracts with over 15 different construction managers/general contractors for over 20 projects of various sizes in the New York City metropolitan area, Georgia and Florida.
Mr. Kessler has also represented numerous clients in various commercial leases, telecommunications and signage licenses, construction, architect, engineer, and consultant agreements, corporate transaction documents, license agreements, leases, permits, financing documents, and service agreements.
With a commitment to delivering excellence and effective solutions, Mr. Kessler has gained a reputation for his strategic and global approach to real estate law. His broad experience and deep knowledge of the industry make him a valuable asset to clients seeking counsel in complex real estate transactions.
Year Joined Firm
Area of Practice
- Transactional Law
- Real Estate Leasing
- Real Estate Development
- Construction
Bar Admissions
Education
- University of North Carolina School of Law (JD 1985, With Honors, Law Review: North Carolina Law Review, Note and Comment Editor)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (MA 1985, Major: City and Regional Planning)
- University of Pennsylvania (BA 1981, With Honors, Major: Urban Studies)
Published Works
- “The Development Agreement and its Use in Resolving Large Scale, Multi-Party Development Problems: A Look at the Tool and Suggestions for its Application,” 1 Journal of Land Use and Environmental Law 451, 1985
- “The North Carolina Time Share Act,” 62 North Carolina Law Review 1356, 1984
- “North Carolina’s Ridge Law: No View From the Top,” 63 North Carolina Law Review 197, 1984
Classes & Seminars
- Public/Private Real Estate Development Deals in New York City: Times Square and Beyond, Public/Private Partnerships (Speaker), Lorman Education Services, New York, NY, 2007
Professional Associations & Memberships
- New York Building Congress: Construction Law Committee
- American Bar Association: Forum on Construction Law, Member
- New York City Bar Association
