HABITAT
Take a peek behind the facades of New York’s co-ops and condos to find out who's fixing things up, and how much it costs. Articles in this section cover dozens of individual projects in co-ops and condos all over New York City. Learn how NYC co-op/condo boards met the challenges of the fix-up, and how you can use their experiences to smooth out yours.
Are you doing capital improvements at your co-op or condo? Email kfarrell@habitatmag.com or emyers@habitatmag.com to have your project included in our column.
Board Tackles 25 Lobby Renovations in Roslyn Heights
Written by Emily Myers on July 09, 2025
Roslyn Gardens co-op transforms 25 lobbies with modern design, durable materials, and high-traffic flooring.
New York City Council Delays Gas Detector Mandate Until 2027
Written by Emily Myers on July 02, 2025
The new deadline will take effect one year after the Department of Buildings (DOB) determines there are enough approved and affordable gas detectors available on the market.
Plot Twist: NYC Pushes LL97 Deadline to New Year's Eve
Written by Emily Myers on June 25, 2025
Building owners can extend their filing deadline for Local Law 97 to Dec. 31, 2025 by submitting an extension request before Aug. 29, 2025, and the Urban Green Council has an interactive tool to help co-ops and condos plan for energy efficiency and compliance.
Boiler Room Overhaul Halves Gas Use and Emissions at Sutton Place Condo
Written by Emily Myers on June 18, 2025
St. James's Tower Condo in Sutton Place has reduced its fossil fuel use by half with a $2 million boiler room overhaul, which will save the building $44,400 in annual emission penalties starting in 2030.
Hudson Heights Co-op Makes a Calculated Oil Upgrade
Written by Emily Myers on June 11, 2025
Pinehurst House, a 38-unit co-op in Hudson Heights, replaced their aging oil-fired boiler with a new one to reduce costs and ensure reliable heat and hot water.
Queens Co-op Seeks $3 Million in Tax Breaks After Landmarks Window Win
Written by Emily Myers on June 04, 2025
The Berkeley, a 288-unit prewar co-op in Jackson Heights, Queens, is seeking a $3 million tax abatement through the J-51 R program to offset the $5 million cost of replacing more than 2,600 windows at the three-building complex, which received approval for non-original windows despite preservation rules.
South Harlem Condo Fosters Community With a New Lounge
Written by Emily Myers on May 28, 2025
Towers on the Park, a 599-unit South Harlem condo, overcomes bylaw obstacles to create a resident lounge with community amenities.
Common Sense Co-op Carve-Out Bill Hits a Roadblock
Written by Emily Myers on May 21, 2025
In the New York State Senate, a bill to exclude co-ops from landlord-tenant legislation faces a competing bill extending tenant protections to co-ops.
Another Increase in Water Rates
Written by Emily Myers on May 14, 2025
The New York City Water Board is considering a proposed 3.7% increase in water rates, the lowest in four years, which would generate $303 million for infrastructure improvements.
Lower East Side Co-op Gets Funding Lifeline to Fix Crooked Staircase
Written by Emily Myers on May 07, 2025
The board at 153½ Stanton St., a HDFC on the Lower East Side, secured a $300,000 loan to repair the building's crooked staircase.
Board Talk
Engage, enrage, ask questions and give answers with your community of board members. Submit your questions and comments here!
Habitat Week by Week
Co-op and condo board business broken down into bite-sized bits - 2 stories each week. Read now on all digital devices.
Ask the Experts
learn moreLearn all the basics of NYC co-op and condo management, with straight talk from heavy hitters in the field of co-op or condo apartments
Professionals in some of the key fields of co-op and condo board governance and building management answer common questions in their areas of expertise
Subscribe
join nowGot elected? Are you on your co-op/condo board?
Then don’t miss a beat! Stories you can use to make your building better, keep it out of trouble, save money, enhance market value, and make your board life a whole lot easier!