New York County Lawyers' Association Building at 14 Vesey St. Photo: Monika Kozak/NYLJ

The New York state attorney general has approved the sale of the New York County Lawyers Association building at 14 Vesey St., which has been the association's headquarters for 89 years.

“We are on track with our plan to move into our new space in early 2020, which will offer our members amenities such as technology-enabled conference rooms, Wi-Fi and other enhanced services,” NYCLA president Stephen Lessard said in announcing the approval. “Steps away from our current location and the courts, our new home of law will provide our members with a space designed specifically for the way that attorneys work today and ensure the continued future of our organization.”

Staying in the Vesey Street building presented challenges. It was difficult and costly to modernize it and extend Wi-Fi throughout the building. With millennials less interested in attending events onsite, bar associations have been reevaluating the cost of maintaining ornate and historic headquarters.

While members were universally impressed with the building's beauty and stature, hardly any of those surveyed objected to selling it, Toni Valenti, director of marketing and membership, said in an interview.

The Vesey Street building, a New York City landmark, is the work of Cass Gilbert, the architect who designed the U.S. Supreme Court.

The new headquarters at 28 Liberty St., owned by Fosun International, was formerly known as One Chase Manhattan Plaza and has undergone $150 million in upgrades. The building will have 200,000 feet of retail space with an upscale restaurant, top music acts and a 10-screen movie theater. The state attorney general has offices in the building.

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NY County Lawyers to Sell Vesey Street Headquarters After 89 Years