Services
DLS represents tenants’ best interests through the search, the strategy, and every point of negotiation, from the first conversation to a signed lease. DLS advises tenants exclusively, never landlords. Deep knowledge of New York’s commercial real estate market creates leverage throughout the process.
Leverage for renewals, restructures, and expansions is built before negotiations begin. That means identifying alternatives, starting the conversation well in advance, and understanding the landlord’s incentives before the tenant has to make a decision.
Workplace strategy comes before real estate strategy. DLS offers clients consultations with expert workplace strategists to turn headcount, growth, and working patterns into a clear space plan before the search begins. The result is a defined requirement, a more disciplined search, and better-informed real estate decisions.
Method
DLS establishes clarity from the very beginning. The initial consultation defines the space and building requirements, aesthetic preferences, lease structure, and target terms that form the brief. DLS then maps how the team works today and where the business is headed. The result is a brief built around a dynamic business, not a static space.
The search casts a wide net, on and off market, identifying availabilities before they are widely known. Each option is tested against the brief in the context of current market conditions. The strongest opportunities are distilled into a curated presentation that gives clients a clear view of the market and where to focus.
Negotiation begins from leverage built early. Options remain open, the landlord’s incentives are understood, and every term is evaluated for its cost over the full lease term. That preparation creates room for creative solutions and terms shaped around the client’s objectives.
Repeated negotiations across the table from the city’s landlords and their brokers have given DLS a clear understanding of their strategies and what it takes to get deals over the finish line. The work includes first offices, full floors, major headquarters, and assignments for international organizations establishing a presence in New York City. Many assignments remain confidential.
“Dan just gets it — from truly understanding our needs and focusing us on high-value options, to protecting our downside as an active partner in negotiations.”— CLIENT, NAME WITHHELD AT CLIENT’S REQUEST
“As my company has grown and our office needs have increased, Dan has been a fantastic partner and has always advised us extremely well. He set us up with our current office, our previous office, and I’m sure, when the time comes, our next office.”— CHARLIE GRAY, FOUNDER AND CEO
In a standard New York office lease the tenant representative’s fee is customarily paid by the landlord out of the transaction, so DLS Commercial Real Estate’s representation typically costs the tenant nothing.
DLS runs every engagement the same way: a discovery consultation sets the brief, an exhaustive search surfaces every option that fits, and terms are negotiated from leverage. Objectives first, the tenant’s interests only.
Selected clients
Questions
Two practical questions, answered directly.
In a standard New York office lease the tenant representative’s fee is customarily paid by the landlord out of the transaction, so DLS Commercial Real Estate’s representation typically costs the tenant nothing.
DLS runs every engagement the same way: a discovery consultation sets the brief, an exhaustive search surfaces every option that fits, and terms are negotiated from leverage. Objectives first, the tenant’s interests only.