“The trees along this city street, Save for the traffic and the trains, Would make a sound as thin and sweet As trees in country lanes.” -Edna St. Vincent Millay Trees provide us with many benefits, from the obv…
Did you know that March 23 is World Elevator Day? Now you do. (You’re welcome.) On that date way back in 1857, the first passenger elevator was installed in the E.V. Haughwout Building—an upscale, five-story department store in Manhattan’s …
With severe weather events becoming ever more common—and more intense—waterproofing your building’s envelope against rain, wind, snow, and ice is a growing concern. To counter the effects of climate change on buildings both old and new, our…
Every so often a scenario comes along in the otherwise fairly predictable world of New York co-ops that has the potential to upend long-standing norms. That may be the case for Carnegie House, a ground lease co-op at the corner of West 57 …
After the deadly collapse of a parking garage building in lower Manhattan last year, the City of New York moved to prevent similar tragedies from occurring, undertaking the herculean task of inspecting every garage in New York City for crac…
At the heart of every shared interest community is the person who makes it run. That person is known by many names: superintendent (or just ‘super’), building engineer, resident manager, community manager. Their duties and responsibilities…
After a long period of low rates marked by high levels of activity in financing, the dramatic climb in interest rates over the past two years has presented challenges for co-op buildings faced with refinancing their underlying permanent mor…
In 2025, the first compliance requirements for Local Law 97 will become a fact of life for literally thousands of New York City co-ops and condos, and those who call them home. Local Law 97 is far-reaching legislation aimed at making New Yo…
A new year always comes with reports of new trends in everything, be it fashion, food…or lobby and common area design in residential communities. Furnishings and design, like clothes, are the subject of style and vogue that morph and change…
The lobby of your building is more than just a transitional space between outdoors and in; it’s an important component in the life of your co-op or condo community. It’s where you enter your home. It’s where your visitors (and potential bu…