by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Dec 22, 2021 | New York City, NYC DOB
On December 15, 2021 New York City Council passed a rezoning plan to SoHo and NoHo. This plan incorporates rezoning to mixed use zoning districts for commercial and residential uses with Mandatory Inclusionary Housing for residential developments within the newly... 
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Jan 22, 2022 | Apartment Renovations, NYC DOB
Can you turn a studio into a one bedroom apartment? It is possible to legally turn a studio apartment into a one bedroom apartment in NYC provided the studio has sufficient floor area and windows. An architect can obtain approval from the NYC Department of Buildings... by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Nov 19, 2021 | NYC DOB, Renovations, Townhouses
SRO stands for Single Room Occupancy. These are typically Class B rental units where individuals rent a single room and have shared bathroom facilities. In New York, many small buildings, townhouses, and brownstones were converted to SROs. Today there is a trend for... 
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated May 26, 2020 | Building Codes, NYC DOB
Legally Required Windows are windows that must be provided to satisfy a code requirement for example a bedroom must have a window as per code. This would be considered a Legally Required Window. Legally Required Window Certain spaces with buildings have... 
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Jun 26, 2020 | General Architecture, Hospitality, NYC DOB, NYC Zoning
Weather a hotel is a commercial or residential building is a matter of context. For example according to the New York City Zoning Resolution a hotel is a commercial use whereas the New York City Building Code Classifies a Hotel as Residential Occupancy. A hotel being... 
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Jun 9, 2020 | Apartment Renovations, NYC DOB
The Special Tribeca Mixed Use District (TMU) has special rules governing the size and configuration of Lofts with regards to enlarging, extending, combining, and subdividing lofts. These rules will supersede the Zoning Codes of the Underlying District. Special... 
