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…
Nothing lasts forever, not even your roof. While roofs have a relatively long life compared to other building systems and components, at some point they will need either partial or full replacement. Here are the facts and factors you and yo…
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 …
Congratulations—you’ve just been elected to your HOA’s board of directors, and given your first monthly financial packet. Maybe your first thought is, “This is all so confusing—thank goodness I’m not the treasurer, and don’t have to underst…
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…
Congratulations! You’ve just been elected to the board of directors, and given your first monthly financial packet. Like many new board members, your first thought may be, “This is so confusing. Glad I’m not the treasurer - I don’t have to …
Emergencies in multifamily communities can take on many forms. High-rises and sprawling developments alike can be impacted by big crises, such as fires or hurricanes, as well as smaller challenges, such as a broken pipe or a fallen tree lim…
Among the many benefits of living in a multifamily building or HOA is a built-in community of residents who can get to know each other if they want to and ultimately enjoy spending time together. Some communities encourage their residents t…
As Carrie Fisher’s character says in When Harry Met Sally, “Everyone thinks they have great taste and a good sense of humor,” but that’s obviously not true—and some of the decorative ideas in multifamily buildings challenge this belief. I…
Striking a healthy balance between the governance and the management of a co-op or condo community can be a challenge. While it’s the board that governs, it’s management that executes…at least that’s how it’s supposed to be in theory. That …