David M. Gest has a wide-ranging real estate practice focused on zoning and land use matters. David has experience working with city planners, architects, landscape architects, and environmental and historic preservation consultants on major development projects. He also has worked with an array of city agencies and community groups throughout the zoning and historic preservation review processes, such as appearances before the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Philadelphia Historical Commission, and the Civic Design Review Committee.
David also has experience with many aspects of transactional real estate work, including complex due diligence review, property acquisition and disposition, construction agreements, eminent domain, and leasing of retail, office, and laboratory space.
Prior to becoming an attorney, David worked as a consultant for a leading historic preservation consulting firm in California. David also holds a Master of City Planning degree with a focus in community and economic development.
Representative Matters
- Represented national developer in obtaining legislative and administrative approvals for 48-story mixed-use development in Rittenhouse Square, including residential and commercial space, affordable housing, and rehabilitation of historically designated buildings
- Represented affordable housing developer in obtaining legislative and administrative approvals for mixed-use development in Old City, including the construction of permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless persons and the relocation of an historically designated building
- Assisted developer in obtaining legislative and administrative approvals for a 700,000-square-foot mixed-use project with 480 dwelling units, three levels of structured parking, and 80,000 square feet of retail in Philadelphia
- Assisted national hotel company in obtaining Philadelphia Historical Commission approval for a controversial modification of the region’s most iconic and historically important building identification sign
- Assisted developer in obtaining significant use and dimensional zoning variance relief for a 132-unit mixed use project in the Spruce Hill section of Philadelphia
Pro Bono Experience
David serves as pro bono real estate counsel to Mural Arts Philadelphia, which has spearheaded more than 3,800 murals around Philadelphia and produced public art installations such as Monument Lab and Site/Sound: Revealing the Rail Park. He has additional pro bono experience representing nonprofits such as a charter school, community garden organization, and a chamber concert series.