Frank Fortino, founder and owner of Metropolis, a NYC-based zoning and consulting firm, recently experienced the power of the room through a long-running and highly complex project involving former member Howard Zimmerman, and current members Jonathan Greenspun and Adam Felsenstein. Frank’s client, Federico Pignatelli, was being forced out of his apartment due to an illegal enlargement constructed on the roof that encroached into his building’s air space. This type of compliance matter is exactly what Metropolis handles, so it was an important project for their team.
Frank recommended that Federico engage his team of professionals, and he connected Federico with Howard, Jonathan, and Adam through email, phone conversations, and in-person meetings. Together, they coordinated a strategy to address the situation. Metropolis prepared a detailed compliance report that supported the engineering findings and documented structural defects, along with potential risks of ground movement.
The Results
Over the course of many meetings and collaborative efforts, each member played a critical role. Metropolis’ work continued until the city issued a formal letter confirming that the enlargement was not a legal structure and required removal. This determination was a major victory for Frank’s client. The next phase is now underway, with Adam engaged to resolve the court case on the client’s behalf.
The timeline of involvement varied, with Metropolis engaged for more than three years, Howard for approximately two years, Jonathan for under a year, and Adam beginning his work more recently. Metropolis’ fee for the project totaled approximately $378,000.
This experience underscores the power of the Alliance. Each member brought expertise, credibility, and commitment to achieving the best outcome for the client. When professionals deliver at the highest level, trust grows naturally and leads to long-term relationships and future opportunities. This collaboration demonstrated the strength, performance, and value that our collective brand represents.