Overview

Kenneth Lowenstein is a land use attorney who advises clients on all aspects of site development in New York City, including site analysis, zoning changes, special permits, variances, landmark proceedings and air rights transfers. He appears regularly before the New York City Planning Commission, New York City Council, Board of Standards and Appeals, and Landmarks Preservation Commission. Mr. Lowenstein also assists clients in obtaining approvals from various New York City regulatory agencies, including the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Department of Buildings and others.

Recent matters handled by Mr. Lowenstein include:

  • representing the Real Estate Board of New York on matters relating to the Affordable New York Housing Program and affordable housing matters
  • representing a major national real estate company on the development of a full block on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with approximately 1,000 dwelling units and three new high schools
  • representing a joint venture of two leading New York City affordable housing companies on the development of a full block in the East Harlem area of Manhattan
  • ongoing representation of a major real estate company on the development of a 4.5 million-square-foot, mixed-use project on the West Side of Manhattan
  • representing a Boston-based developer on the development of a large residential development on the Upper West Side of Manhattan
  • representing a client in the development of a "last mile" distribution center in the Bronx
  • land use due diligence analysis for prospective purchasers and construction lenders
  • representing a client on the development of a large waterfront parcel in Queens
  • advising clients regarding and obtaining approvals for tax exemption under the Affordable New York Housing Program and the Extended Affordability Program

Mr. Lowenstein has more than 30 years of experience in the land use field. Prior to entering private practice, he worked for a U.S. congressman and served in senior positions in both the New York state and city governments – including on former Mayor Edward Koch's staff and in New York City's Department of Buildings and HPD.

Credentials

Education
  • Harvard Law School, J.D.
  • Cornell University, B.A.
Bar Admissions/Licenses
  • New York
Court Admissions
  • All State Courts in New York
Memberships
  • Real Estate Board of New York, Housing and Zoning Committees
  • Citizens Housing & Planning Council, Board of Directors
  • New York Housing Conference, Board of Directors
Honors & Awards
  • The Best Lawyers in America guide, Land Use and Zoning Law, 2022-2025; Real Estate Law, 2025
  • Chambers USA – America's Leading Lawyers for Business guide, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, 2014-2024
  • The Legal 500 USA, Real Estate – Land Use/Zoning, 2008-2009, 2017-2018, 2022-2024
  • Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend magazine, 2022
  • New York Super Lawyers magazine, 2006-2020

Publications

Speaking Engagements

News