Elliott Vilkas

Education

Cooper Union School of Art and Architecture, Graduated 1964

Elliott Vilkas was educated at the Cooper Union School of Art and Architecture in New York City, graduating in 1964.  Born in Havana, Cuba, he has many fine New York City achievements to his credit, including the 353 Central Park West Condominium, The Forum at 343 East 74th Street, Hampton House Condominium at 404 East 79th Street, Liberty Terrace at 380 Rector Place in Battery Park City, and the Marriott Courtyard Hotel at 3 East 40th Street.  In 1964 he joined the firm of Emery Roth and Sons as a draftsman, zoning and code reviewer, and expeditor.  In 1972 he moved to the office of Philip Birnbaum, where he was involved in the development of major high-rise residential projects.

He founded the Vilkas Group in 1980, assisting major developers throughout the New York metropolitan region with the development of residential, commercial, and public projects.  His services consisted of zoning and building code consultation, preparation of design schematics and construction documents, coordination with engineers and the applicable trades, complete expediting services through the various City agencies, obtaining of special permits from the City Planning Commission, and the obtaining of variances from the Board of Standards and Appeals.  Mr. Vilkas also regularly lectures industry professionals, including Plan Examiners at the Department of Buildings.

Mr. Vilkas has been recognized by the Cooper Union School of Architecture with an Alumni Association Award, and has also received recognition from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for his submissions in the Washington Market Redevelopment Competition.  He also collaborated with the Battery Park City Authority in the development of its master plan.

He is a past president of the New York Society of Architects, Vice President of the Zoning Advisory Council, and a member of the MBE Minority Business Enterprise Certification.