Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP (WOH), the Capital Region’s largest law firm, intends to anchor a new office building planned by First Columbia at 705 Broadway, relocating from its current space at 1 Commerce Plaza.
Albany, NY — September 15, 2025 — Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP (WOH), the Capital Region’s largest law firm, will serve as the anchor tenant of a new Tier I office building planned by First Columbia at 705 Broadway, marking its relocation from 1 Commerce Plaza. If realized, the move would result in more than 200 employees working in the city’s core, strengthening Albany’s economy and reinforcing the vitality of the Capital City.
The project represents the first new Tier I (class A) office building to rise in downtown Albany in two decades. Designed as part of a larger mixed-use development, it will feature residential apartments, ground-floor retail, and a public plaza linking Clinton Square with the Warehouse District. By bringing hundreds of professionals downtown each day, the project is expected to generate significant benefits for nearby restaurants, shops, and local businesses.
The new headquarters will also allow Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP (WOH) to bring all of its Capital Region employees together under one roof for the first time in years. The firm currently operates out of multiple locations, including its main office at 1 Commerce Plaza, as well as offices at 80 State Street in Albany and Corporate Woods in Colonie. Consolidating these operations downtown underscores WOH’s commitment to Albany while fostering stronger collaboration among attorneys and staff. The firm will continue to maintain its Poughkeepsie office to serve clients in the Hudson Valley.
WOH has been seeking suitable new space for more than a decade, but until now, the right option had not emerged in downtown Albany. While suburban opportunities were explored, the firm has long been determined to remain in the city’s core, where its roots run deep. At a time when several law firms have departed downtown, WOH views its decision to stay as central to its identity and mission. Founded in 1975 by attorneys from New York City who sought to bring big-city expertise to the Capital Region, the firm has built a reputation for representing high-profile clients while investing in the community it calls home.
The move forward depends on continued collaboration among First Columbia, New York State, and the City of Albany to ensure the project’s feasibility. Key elements include state support for construction to retain more than 200 professional jobs downtown, a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement, and parking arrangements through the Albany Parking Authority. With these measures in place, the new building will not only secure WOH’s future downtown but also help infuse new energy into the city’s core, strengthening Albany’s long-term economic vitality.
“We are proud of our roots here and deeply committed to Albany’s future,” said Robert Schofield, Managing Partner of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP. “This project is about more than office space. It’s about keeping jobs in the heart of the Capital City, attracting new energy to downtown, and playing a role in helping Albany grow and prosper. We look forward to working with our partners in government to make this vision a reality.”