Shaping the NYC Skyline

Jason Dubowski’s impressive portfolio featuring many notable projects speaks for itself. From his early years, Jason displayed a passion for architecture and design, leading him to a thriving career in New York, where he moved from Texas after having graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Texas in Arlington. We're thrilled to have Jason on the show and for the opportunity to delve into his remarkable journey, helping us gain insights into his path to success. Join us as we explore the realities of an architect's day-to-day work, how Jason's experiences have shaped his career trajectory, and his contributions to Shaping the NYC Skyline.

In this episode, Brenda and David talk to Jason about:

• his journey to becoming an Associate Partner at Hill West Architects.
• exploring the challenges and responsibilities of architectural design in today’s ever-changing environment.
• the rise of the so-called “StArchitect” and the desire for branded buildings. 
• unraveling the complexities of designing buildings in new markets and navigating the differing processes in varying zoning districts.
• the impact of NYC’s constantly evolving  legal environment on building design and construction.
• And more… 

Jason Dubowski, AIA, LEED AP, is an accomplished Associate Partner at Hill West Architects, bringing over 15 years of expertise in residential and mixed-use developments across New York City. With an unwavering passion for architecture and construction, Jason has thrived in his role as an energetic team leader, showcasing his exceptional project management and executive architect skills. 

More on Shaping the NYC Skyline:

Website - https://seidenschein.com/

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Instagram - Shaping the NYC Skyline (@shapingthenycskyline) • Instagram photos and videos 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SeidenSchein

Email - [email protected]

Phone -  212-935-1400

SEIDEN & SCHEIN, P.C.

570 Lexington Avenue, 14th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Join Brenda and David as they recap their experience at the Annual New York State Affordable Housing Conference, including the solutions and strategies presented by government and other real estate professionals to try and ease the City’s housing shortage.

In this episode, you will learn about the:

• City’s views on the affordable housing crisis and the various methods that need to be employed to resolve it. 
• Arguments made by the City to convince the State of the critical nature of the 421-a real estate tax exemption. 
• The essential role that private real estate developers play in creating affordable housing in high-income areas, which cannot be accomplished by government-subsidized projects alone.
• The groundwork that the City is laying down to make it easier for real estate developers to build in NYC.
• How the City intends to address the bureaucratic processes that delay eligible tenants from occupying affordable housing units.

“Reducing red tape and making it easier for developers to build is crucial in solving the affordable housing crisis.” 

- David Shamshovich

Connect with David and Brenda here:

• website- https://seidenschein.com/ 
• LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/seiden-&-schein-p-c-/ 
• Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/shapingthenycskyline/
• YouTube- Coming Soon
• Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/SeidenSchein 

From childhood memories to creating a renowned real estate development company, Brian Ezra's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. With Avi Fisher and Jesse Wark by his side, Brian created a company that will leave a lasting impact on the Brooklyn skyline. Their complementary skill sets, shared values, and deep seated trust in each other's abilities were the keys to unlocking opportunities that they never thought possible. This is an origin story you won't want to miss.

In this episode, Brenda and David talk to Brian about:

• The importance of strategic partnerships as a catalyst to developing real estate.
• Avery Hall's historical focus on the Brooklyn real estate landscape.
• The difficulties that NYC developers face in today’s political climate 
• The need to modify real estate policies to streamline development in New York City. 
• What the future has in store for Avery Hall Investments. 
• And more… 

Brian Ezra is one of the three founding partners of Avery Hall, responsible for sourcing and acquisitions, project conceptualization and the company’s overall development strategy. Brian is a fourth generation Brooklynite, and has leveraged his deep passion and knowledge of Brooklyn and real estate development to enhance the Brooklyn community. Over his 15-year career in real estate, Brian has overseen in excess of $1 billion of development and investment activity, comprising over 1.5 million GSF and 1,000 residential units. 

More on Seiden & Schein:

Website- https://seidenschein.com/

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/seiden-&-schein-p-c-/

Instagram- Shaping the NYC Skyline (@shapingthenycskyline) • Instagram photos and videos 

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/SeidenSchein

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMdGGW2my3H0lozf3mVMNCQ

Email- [email protected]

Phone-  212-935-1400

SEIDEN & SCHEIN, P.C.

570 Lexington Avenue, 14th Floor

New York, NY 10022

If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by the complex and ever-changing real estate tax incentives in NYC, then you are not alone!

One of the major obstacles to developing and preserving housing and affordable housing in New York City is the exorbitant real estate taxes. Tax incentives are critical to ensure that a new multi-family development generates positive cashflow and is thereby able to secure construction and permanent financing. Likewise, tax incentives are necessary to encourage developers and landlords to maintain and repair existing residential buildings. 

But what are some tax incentive programs and their benefits, how did they come about, which ones are still available, what is the future of new residential developments given the expiration of the 421-a program and lack of a substitute program, and how will this affect the production of housing in NYC at the apex of the housing crisis?

In this episode, you will be able to:

About Jay Seiden:

Jay Seiden, a co-founder of Seiden & Schein, P.C., has dedicated his career to mastering the complexities of tax incentives for real estate developments in New York City. 

Connect with us here:

Website- https://seidenschein.com/ 

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/seiden-&-schein-p-c-/mycompany/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/SeidenSchein 

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/shapingthenycskyline/

In the first episode of Shaping the NYC Skyline, David Shamshovich and Brenda Slochowsky sit down to chat with Alvin Schein, a NY real estate attorney and one of the founders of Seiden & Schein, P.C., a boutique real estate law firm in New York.

Alvin discusses the NYC real estate industry from a historical perspective, dating back to the 1970s, and his thoughts on the current state of real estate development in New York, including the development of market rate rental apartment and affordable housing in New York City and what needs to be done to chip away at the ever growing NYC housing crisis.

Alvin also discusses the inclusionary housing and the 421-a real estate tax exemption programs and other tax incentive programs (like J-51 and 420-c) administered by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), areas in which Seiden & Schein has long standing expertise, and the politics surrounding the New York State legislature’s refusal to renew the Affordable Housing New York program (AHNY) or extend the statutory deadline for NY real estate developers to complete their newly constructed projects in order to qualify for the tax abatement. Alvin also expresses his views on 485-w, the replacement for the 421-a tax exemption proposed by Governor Kathy Hochul, and the proposals made by Mayor Eric Adams to incentivize developers of real property in New York to build more residential housing, including converting offices to residential buildings, legalizing basement apartments, and bringing back single room occupancies (SRO).

In this episode, we also discuss how real estate developers must show lenders that their proposed projects will be profitable in order to obtain construction loan financing and permanent financing, and the inability of projects to pencil out and obtain such loans if they are required to provide the amount of low income housing that is being sought by the NY legislature.

We also discuss the impact that the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (the 2019 NYC Rent Law) has had on New York landlord’s due to the statute severely limiting a building owner’s ability to increase rents for rent stabilized units, despite the rising costs of operating residential buildings in New York and the need to repair and maintain residential rental apartments that are covered by the NY Rent Stabilization Law.

We hope you enjoy this insightful and inspiring conversation with Alvin Schein regarding the state of real estate development in NY. Tune in to learn more about his remarkable achievements and contributions to Shaping the New York City Skyline.

You can find our podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review us. We appreciate your support and feedback. For more information, please visit us at seidenschein.com

Thank you for listening and stay tuned for more episodes.

Website- https://seidenschein.com/ 

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/seiden-&-schein-p-c-/mycompany/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/SeidenSchein 

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