by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Apr 20, 2026 | Building Conversions, Brownstones & Townhouses, NYC DOB
In New York City, some of the most undervalued townhouses on the market are former SRO properties. While these buildings offer significant upside, converting them back to single-family homes requires careful coordination of legal, regulatory, and construction factors....
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Jun 9, 2020 | NYC DOB, Apartment Renovations
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...
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated May 10, 2024 | NYC DOB, General Architecture
What is a Certificate of Occupancy? A Certificate of Occupancy is a document that describes the legal use and maximum occupancy of a building issued by the Department of Buildings. The Certificate lists individual building uses per story, the maximum occupancy of each...
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Jul 14, 2020 | NYC DOB
Filing with the NYC DOB is a complicated and involved process with many protocols to take into consideration. Types of Filing with the NYC DOB Below is a list of the main filing types at the NYC Department Of Buildings. There are actually more but we will not get...
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Mar 15, 2026 | Bathroom Design, Apartment Renovations, NYC DOB
Bathroom renovations in NYC are far more regulated than most homeowners realize — and accessibility requirements can significantly influence layout, fixture placement, and overall design. New York City building codes are complex, even for seemingly straightforward...
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Mar 16, 2026 | Apartment Renovations, NYC DOB, Renovating
Renovating a kitchen in New York City often requires approvals from multiple parties. In addition to complying with the NYC Department of Buildings, homeowners in condominiums and co-ops must also follow their building’s alteration rules. Depending on the scope of...