By Robert Proffitt, R.A. A partnership with Kean University and Grimshaw has brought Metropolis Group out of the concrete jungle and into the bucolic woods of northern New Jersey. While many Metropolis projects involve challenges due to the population density in an urban environment, this engagement requires deft balance to create… View more
By George Crawford If you’re a permit expediter, then you know that commercial and residential building owners need to brace for the impending perfect storm—namely, higher NYC taxes and utilities, coupled with lower rents—heading straight for their bottom lines. While the protest period has already passed for the tax assessments issued… View more
By Renee Sosnowski Effective Wednesday, May 10, 2017, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) has let NYC expediters know that it’s adopted a new Buildings Penalties Schedule. Rule Relocation The new rule relocates the DOB Penalty Schedule from the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings Environmental Control Board (OATH… View more
By Alex Rippere Courtesy of Local Law 87 of 2009, and codified in the 2014 Construction Codes, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) requires Energy Efficiency Reports (EERs) on all buildings over 50,000 square feet or for multiple buildings on a single tax lot that total more than 100,000… View more
By Frank Fortino It’s official. The NYC expediting industry has its new 421a. This past weekend, New York legislators in both the Assembly and the Senate approved “Affordable New York.” The Affordable New York legislation went into effect on Monday, April 10, when Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the 2018 state budget…. View more
By Austin Regan Once the exclusive domain of air conditioning equipment and pigeon coops, building rooftops are now prized amenities. Developers market their buildings based on the views from outdoor spaces and the amenities those spaces hold. While a usable roof can increase the value of a development and offer greater… View more
By Robert Proffitt, R.A. Last year, energy management experts at Bright Power and architects at Thread Collective approached Metropolis Group for assistance with a pilot program in Brooklyn: creating a solar-powered electrical grid in an urban environment. Our experience with solar grid installation, extensive code and zoning expertise, and creative problem-solving… View more