Navigating Local Law 97: A roadmap for affordable housing - by Jared Forman

In the past year, KOW Building Consultants conducted over 150 Integrated Physical Needs Assessments (IPNAs), including ASHRAE Level II Energy Audits. Within this dataset, a significant portion fell under the purview of Local Law 97 (LL97). Here's a breakdown of our findings and key takeaways for the path forward for building decarbonization in the affordable housing industry.

Company of the Month: IMC Architecture
launches new interior design studio

Brooklyn, NY The Brooklyn-based multi-family, commercial and institutional architectural firm IMC Architecture has launched its new interior design studio. Director of design Federigo Luzzi leads the new interior practice, with focus on workplace, commercial, retail, hospitality and residential work. “Our new interior design group will both serve its own clients and support IMC’s architectural projects.

The art of bespoke renovation: Tailoring your property to attract quality tenants - by Ron Fanish

When you own, manage or develop properties for long enough, renovations become inevitable. It may simply be because the building has grown outdated and needs more modern touches. Another reason may be an unfortunate disaster, like a fire or flood, that necessitates rehabilitating significant portions of the property. Despite the cause, veteran property owners, managers and developers know that a renovation is also a major opportunity. It provides the chance to enhance and tailor your property in a manner that surpasses rival offerings and draws in high-caliber tenants.

Allstate Ventures opens the first of three-building development - The Arc

New Rochelle, NY Allstate Ventures held a public opening of The Arc - the first of a three-building Westchester Place development. The 16-story, 144-unit apartment building at 64 Centre Ave., is part of a larger vision of Allstate Ventures through a leading partnership consisting of New Rochelle civic and community arts leaders, working to address the need for high-quality rental homes, ranging from affordable units to market rate luxury homes for residents.

Restoration and St. Nicks Alliance break ground on Dekalb Commons, affordable housing development

Brooklyn, NY Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corp. (Restoration) and St. Nicks Alliance (St. Nicks) celebrated the groundbreaking of Dekalb Commons, three new 100% affordable housing developments. The development includes 652 Dekalb Ave., 639 Dekalb Ave. and 1187 Fulton St. Special guests in attendance included council member Chi Ossé, assembly Member Stefani Zinerman and Assembly member Phara Souffrant Forrest.

New York City mandatory parapet inspections starting January 1, 2024 - by Joe DiPompeo

To ensure the safety and longevity of these structures, and the safety of the public on the street, New York City has introduced a new mandate.  Starting on January 1, 2024, all buildings in NYC with parapets facing the public right-of-way, regardless of height, must undergo an annual inspection. This initiative is a significant step toward maintaining the city’s architectural integrity and ensuring the safety of its residents and visitors.

Property of the Month: Morgan North - the redevelopment and adaptive reuse of the largest USPS postal distribution center in NYC

Manhattan, NY The expansive, 645,000 s/f Morgan North redevelopment by Tishman Speyer transforms what was once New York City’s largest postal distribution center into a multi-use, sustainable property housing creative office space, a multilevel rooftop park and street-level retail. Located at 351 9^th Ave., the body of the building encompasses an entire city block between 9th and 10^th Aves. from

Why New York property managers shouldn’t settle on software - by Anthony Vendittoli

Venator Advisors is a property management consultancy that specializes in the implementation of real estate technology. We’re based in New York and New Jersey but have clients across the country. While some businesses haven’t fully caught on yet, automation has changed the game, and basic accounting software simply won’t cut it in the real estate industry anymore.

A pivotal period for geothermal energy – with New York City leading the way - by Charles Copeland and Tristan Schwartzman

Recent extreme weather – and related environmental conditions – has made the need to address climate change more inescapable than ever. From the immediate devastation of wildfires to the reduced air quality of their far-reaching smoke plumes to the relentlessness of heat domes and flash flooding, the case for reducing carbon emissions is irrefutable. 

Standard Communities expands offices and staff due to progressive growth of the company

Manhattan, NY Standard Communities, a national affordable housing developer and investor, has expanded its principal offices and added staff reflecting a growing business. “We have applied productive strategies, with acquisitions and ground-up development, to extend our successful track record in a challenging environment,” said Scott Alter