VVA completes buildout

Real Estate Weekly, Jan 8, 2003

VVA, LLC, the premier New York-based project management and consulting firm, has completed a 177,000-SF buildout of the new Manhattan offices of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP, a national law firm. Located at 875 Third Ave., Thelen Reid's new location features a state-of-the-art conference center and many other client-focused amenities.

Thelen Reid's lease at its former location at 40 W. 57th St. ended Nov. 29. In order to move into 875 Third Ave., Thelen Reid had to deal with an accelerated 17-week buildout at the new location. Thelen Reid insisted, however, that even with an accelerated schedule, there be with no effect on quality or cost.

VVA's experience with fast track, high-end projects enabled the project to be completed successfully on time and under-budget.

"Law firm construction projects can be extremely complex requiring the coordination of numerous consultants as well as the ability to understand the individual character of each firm," said Lorenzo Vascotto, principal and managing director of VVA. "Our extensive work within this sector gives VVA a great advantage and allows us to be a value-added team member."

"Under a demanding schedule, Thelen Reid needed office space befitting a dynamic and busy law firm that would also enable, us to grow with our clients for many years to come," said Jonathan D. Siegfried, partner at Thelen Reid and manager of the New York office. "VVA came through for us. Our new facility affords a modem, functional and comfortable place for our New York attorneys to work on behalf of their clients, while leaving room for strategic growth."

Thelen Reid signed its lease on 875 Third Ave. in May 2001 with plans to begin construction in early 2002 and staff relocation in late summer. Following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the space's former tenant, law firm Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, was unable to vacate the location as they had planned to move into the World Trade Center. Thelen Reid delayed its move to accommodate Sidley Austin in this difficult situation.

"I was originally unsure whether we needed an outside project management consultant to assist us with this effort, but the VVA team proved invaluable," said Arthur C. Silverman, a partner and specialist in construction law in Thelen Reid's New York office.

"This was our first experience with VVA, but their foresight, judgment, experience, practical wisdom and efficiency. demonstrated why many of their clients use them repeatedly. As a person with many years of experience in New York City construction matters, I can say without reservation that I don't know how we could have done this without them."