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From concept to completion, the international headquarters of the LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae law firm is a study in economy, efficiency, and function.
The $17.8 million relocation project was completed in July 1992, on time and under budget. Taking advantage of a poor real estate market in 1990 and 1991, the firm negotiated a very affordable long-term lease that more than met their present and future needs. Designed by The Phillips Janson Group, New York, the eight interlocking floors plus concourse (lower level) and ground floor space in the 23-story high rise at 125 W. 55th St. was designed for performance. Ostentatious displays have no place here.
The move from its 520 Madison Ave. location was necessitated by the general practice firm's growth. The New York headquarters, which has approximately 780 staff members, doubled in size from 1982 to 1992. In addition to its own legal operation, the headquarters provides support services for its worldwide operation which consists of 480 lawyers in 16 other offices (13 in the U.S.).
LAW FIRM'S SUCCESS DRIVES RELOCATION
"We moved because of inadequate space and an inefficient layout," says partner Alan M. Berman, who heads the firm's national real estate practice. "Our people were spread out. We had people on contiguous floors, on non-contiguous floors, and in another building. That was unacceptable. Our lease was nearing its end and it was an excellent time in the real estate market to take advantage of the space that was available at desirable rental rates."
"Previously, their space planning was dealt with on a daily basis," adds project architect James G. Phillips, managing partner of The Phillips Janson Group. "They were stratified in a very dysfunctional fashion on a number of different elevator banks and with inconsistent space. This was a real opportunity to plan their environment from scratch with an eye to the future."
Berman and managing director Paul R. Stuken headed the law firm's four-person committee that monitored lease negotiations, design, construction, and relocation. Charles Bellotti, president of RBI Consultants, Inc., was hired as the project consultant.
"I give LeBoeuf a lot of credit because their relocation committee was a very small one," Phillips says. "Consequently, we didn't have many different points of view and a whole lot...