A people-centered legal workplace transformation at One Liberty Plaza in New York

Global architecture, engineering and construction firm M Moser Associates is leading the major transformation of global law firm Cleary Gottlieb’s New York headquarters. Located at One Liberty Plaza in Lower Manhattan, the approximately 472,192-square-foot (43,869-square-meter) workplace is scheduled for completion in 2028. The project marks an important milestone in Cleary Gottlieb’s global real estate strategy.

Photo credit: M Moser Associates

M Moser Associates has previously supported Cleary Gottlieb’s offices in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Cologne and London. The New York headquarters project further extends the ongoing partnership between the two organizations across multiple global locations.

Choosing to remain at One Liberty Plaza

Ahead of the transformation, M Moser Associates conducted an extensive master planning and creative strategy exercise. Multiple tower locations across downtown New York were evaluated according to spatial, programmatic and operational criteria, as well as Cleary Gottlieb’s long-term goals for quality, community and client experience. Following the evaluation, the firm elected to remain at its longstanding home at One Liberty Plaza. The decision to reinvest in its Lower Manhattan headquarters also reflects Cleary Gottlieb’s continued commitment to the neighborhood it has long called home.

Photo credit: M Moser Associates

人とパフォーマンスを軸にしたワークプレイス

The new headquarters is designed to balance the focused environment required for legal practice with opportunities for collaboration, mentorship and interpersonal connection. Shared office models and flexible collaboration zones will be introduced, while a 10-floor interconnecting stair will form a central element of the workplace. Rather than functioning solely as circulation, the stair is intended to encourage movement and spontaneous interaction between different teams and levels of the organization. Hospitality-driven amenities and enhanced service environments will also be incorporated to improve the everyday experience for both employees and visiting clients. Grant Christofely, Director – Strategy & Transformation at M Moser Associates, describes the New York headquarters as representing both Cleary Gottlieb’s legacy and its vision for the future. The project aims to reflect the law firm’s global stature while advancing flexibility, sustainability and connection throughout the workplace.

Photo credit: M Moser Associates

Designing for sustainability and wellbeing

Health, environmental responsibility and long-term building performance are also central to the transformation. Guided by Cleary Gottlieb’s Climate Action Plan and its membership in the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance, the project will prioritize energy efficiency, healthy indoor environments and high-performance building systems. The headquarters is targeting LEED Gold certification or higher.

A new model for the modern legal workplace

For the project, M Moser Associates is acting not simply as a designer but as a transformation partner, integrating strategy, design, engineering and delivery throughout the process. The project explores how the concentration and confidentiality traditionally required in legal workplaces can coexist with greater human connection, flexible working, wellbeing and environmental performance. Scheduled for completion in 2028, Cleary Gottlieb’s transformed New York headquarters will present a new model for the next generation of legal workplaces.

About Cleary Gottlieb

Cleary Gottlieb is a global law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers from over 50 countries. Working across practices, industries and jurisdictions, the firm provides legal services addressing complex challenges faced by businesses around the world.

About M Moser Associates

Founded in 1981, M Moser Associates is a global integrated architecture, engineering and construction firm. Bringing together strategy, design, engineering and delivery, the firm uses human expertise, data and technology to create workplaces designed for long-term performance.