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Reimagining Urban Centers: Adaptive Reuse

  • Overview
  • Insights
  • Meet the Team

Adaptive reuse in cities has been going on for decades. Its increasing prominence in urban centers has coincided with the more recent redevelopment of urban areas in both small and large metropolitan areas. Rather than building a new structure from the ground up, many developers and architects see opportunities in rehabilitating existing buildings into unique, new-purpose properties.

The trend of adaptive reuse has been further fueled by the growing demand for development in areas of high density, particularly in older neighborhoods with under-developed, unused existing structures such as warehouses and abandoned properties. But along with adaptive reuse comes a very unique set of challenges related to building and zoning codes, historic preservation, environmental issues, health and safety standards, and tax and financial considerations.

Furthermore, in recent years, local governments have increasingly looked to monetize their real estate assets through joint development and public/private partnerships (P3) with the private sector. These increasingly innovative opportunities include the development of new, shared structures, with public facilities on the ground level and private development of upper floors through the acquisition of air rights; the development of private facilities on vacant portions of government-owned property; and the repurposing of all or portions of existing government buildings.

Bilzin Sumberg's attorneys regularly advise developers, owners, and other investors engaged in adaptive reuse and other redevelopment projects, to include pre-acquisition due diligence, entitlements, land use and zoning, construction, finance and development, P3 planning and structuring, and tax incentives. The close collaboration between the firm's practices means that clients can feel confident in navigating all aspects of adaptive reuse projects.

Insights
  • Lawcast Podcast
  • May 7, 2021
Episode 5: Environmental Implications of Adaptive Reuse
Old Structures, New Purpose: Mastering the Practice of Adaptive Reuse
Environmental attorney Howard Nelson walks through the unique environmental aspects of adaptive reuse projects. They offer a big picture overview of the issues involved and legislative developments while also delving into specific types of adaptive reuse projects in South Florida, such as golf cours...
  • Lawcast Podcast
  • May 6, 2021
Episode 4: Moving Upriver: The Story of Adaptive Reuse along the Miami River
Old Structures, New Purpose: Mastering the Practice of Adaptive Reuse
Javier Aviñó, Practice Group Leader for Bilzin Sumberg’s Land Development & Government Relations Group, and Anthony De Yurre, Partner in Bilzin Sumberg’s Land Development & Government Relations Group, discuss the major developments happening along the Miami River. T...
  • Lawcast Podcast
  • May 4, 2021
Episode 3: Wynwood: The Quintessential Miami Turnaround
Old Structures, New Purpose: Mastering the Practice of Adaptive Reuse
Jennifer Fine, attorney in Bilzin Sumberg’s Land Development & Government Relations Group, discusses Wynwood’s take off as one of Miami’s most popular neighborhoods while highlighting how adaptive reuse has been a pivotal part of its transformation. She covers Wynwood’s h...
  • Lawcast Podcast
  • April 23, 2021
Episode 2: Coral Gables: Where Adaptive Reuse and Historic Preservation Meet
Old Structures, New Purpose: Mastering The Practice of Adaptive Reuse
Land Use & Government Relations attorneys Javier Aviñó and Anthony De Yurre discuss adaptive reuse and historic preservation in one of Miami-Dade County’s most iconic historic neighborhoods, Coral Gables. They cover the City of Coral Gables’ use of adaptive reuse to pre...
  • Publication
  • April 16, 2021
How Will Hotels Bounce Back Post-COVID?
The Real Deal
Quick Question: How's the hotel market? The Real Deal asked Bilzin Sumberg's head of real estate, Suzanne Amaducci, for her take on the hotel sector's path to recovery.
  • Lawcast Podcast
  • March 2, 2021
Episode 1: Allapattah: The Next Big Transformation
Old Structures, New Purpose: Mastering the Practice of Adaptive Reuse Series
In Episode 1 of our series, "Old Structures, New Purpose: Mastering the Practice of Adaptive Reuse," land development & government relations attorney Javier F. Aviñó discusses the big changes happening in one of Miami-Dade County’s historic neighborhoods, Allapattah. They cov...
Meet the Team
Brian S. Adler
Partner, Land Development & Government Relations
Javier F. Aviñó
Practice Group Leader, Land Development & Government Relations, Land Development & Government Relations
Anthony De Yurre
Partner, Land Development & Government Relations
Jennifer E. Fine
Associate, Land Development & Government Relations, Affordable Housing & Tax Credit
Carter N. McDowell
Partner, Land Development & Government Relations
Howard E. Nelson
Partner, Head of Environmental Practice, Environmental