Team Ben Ableman

Ben Abelman, an Associate at Hill West, has extensive experience in zoning, urban design, and high-end residential architecture. Over the course of his career, he has worked across both the public and private sectors, developing a unique perspective on how zoning and design shape the built environment of New York City.

Ben began his career at Ogawa Depardon Architects, managing townhouse renovation projects that required approval from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. He later joined SCAPE Landscape Architecture, where he contributed to forward-thinking research projects including Petrochemical America and Oyster-tecture. He went on to work at the New York City Housing Authority within its Real Estate Development Department, followed by more than a decade at FXCollaborative, where he rose to the role of Director of Zoning and Pre-Development, managing rezonings and feasibility studies across the five boroughs.

A native New Yorker, Ben received his Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design and his Master of Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation.

His design philosophy is rooted in a deep appreciation for zoning as the “DNA” of development in New York City. He views constraints as catalysts for creativity, guiding solutions that are both functional and contextually responsive while contributing meaningfully to the city’s urban fabric.