U.S. Department
of Justice
United States v. Silverstein (S.D.N.Y.)
On August 26, 2019, the court approved and entered a Stipulation and Order of Settlement and Dismissal of the United States’ claims against the architectural defendant in United States v. Silverstein Properties, Inc. (S.D.N.Y.). The complaint, which was filed on January 5, 2017, alleged the designers and developers of One River Place and Silver Towers in New York City violated the Fair Housing Act by failing to design and construct these properties so as to be accessible to persons with disabilities. A partial consent decree with the developer defendants entered on January 12, 2017 provides for standard injunctive relief, coverage of an additional property developed by the defendants, retrofits of non-compliant features, payments of $480,000-$960,000 to aggrieved persons and a $50,000 civil penalty. The Stipulation and Order of Settlement with Costas Kondylis and Partners, LLP, the architectural firm that designed One River Place and Silver Towers in New York City, requires the firm to establish a $10,000 fund to compensate aggrieved persons and pay a civil penalty of $5,000. The firm is also required to retain documents related to its design of the buildings. As of the date of the stipulation the principal of the firm is deceased and the firm is an inactive entity.
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