2000 May
2000 May Vol. 20, No. 5
Focus on...Interior Design & Maintenance
Gumley-Haft
Daniel J. Wollman, chief executive officer and managing director of Gumley-Haft Real Estate, is not the executive one would expect to see as head of one of Manhattan’s premier residential real estate management firms. Casually dressed and sitting in front of a wall of framed Sports Illustrated covers and surrounded by photos of his four children, Wollman’s hands quickly move on a computer while he talks on a telephone headset. Words like "litigation," "keeps excellent records" and "as soon as I’m off, I’ll fax that to you" punctuate the conversation that Wollman is obviously having with a board president. Read More
Swimming Pool Management
There’s almost nothing that sounds more luxurious to potential co-op and condo buyers than an on-site swimming pool. Apartment prices are often higher in buildings with pools because they are viewed as a fun and relaxing amenity. However, managing and maintaining a building’s pool can be anything but relaxing. Swimming pools demand a great deal of time, energy and money. Joyce Siegel, board president at the Vanderbilt, a 369-unit condo at 240 East 41st Street in Manhattan, says in reference to her building’s pool, "A lot of people love pools, but when you start looking at the bottom line, you start to think, ‘oh no.’" For a building to successfully manage a swimming pool, it must address many issues including liability, usage regulations and maintenance. Proper management insures that the pool will be safe and enjoyable for everyone–this is no small task. Read More
City Landscapes
It’s Spring, as the saying goes, and a young man’s fancy turns to love. Your co-op board, while they may be romantics at heart, smell Spring and their minds go to landscape maintenance. The landscaping of a property is the first thing visitors see; it adds value to the units and influences quality of life. Even so, many experts say not enough thought, time and money is going into this very important area. While it may be true that April showers bring May flowers, grooming the grounds is a January to December affair. Read More
NORC Program
Last month, the New York Association of Realty Managers (NYARM) hosted a seminar on a somewhat new phenomenon known as "NORCs." Short for "Naturally Occuring Retirement Communities," the acronym has come to mean much to many seniors throughout the country, particularly New York City, who have been enabled to remain in their homes and communities. The term NORC is a demographic description resulting from a social pattern called ‘aging-in-place,’ says Nat Yalowitz, president and chief executive officer of NORC Supportive Services Center (NORC-SSC), a non-profit organization founded in 1996 to assist housing entities develop senior service programs. He explains, "Many older people who moved into apartment buildings or housing complexes when they were younger now need help to remain living independently in their residences." The NYARM seminar was just one step in an effort to educate the co-op and condo community about this evolving trend toward developing senior services. Read More
Lighting
Lighting is much more than a device that enables us to see. Proper lighting defines space and creates atmosphere, essentially setting the mood and tone of an area. When designing a space, where does lighting come into play? According to Rebecca Alston, owner of Rebecca Alston, Inc., an interior design firm based in Manhattan, "Lighting is extremely important within the design process. You can destroy your finishes with the wrong source." With this in mind, board members must consider many factors when designing common area. Not only must they consider aesthetics, they must examine the cost and efficiency of bulbs and fixtures. Read More
War Stories
There are two major aspects to any renovation project in a co-op–one is getting approval from the co-op board, the other is getting approval from the Building Department. Getting only one approval is not enough. In other words, just because the Building Department approves the work you want to do, it does not mean it will be acceptable to the co-op’s board of directors. By the same token, just because a co-op board approves a renovation, it does not mean you can avoid obtaining approval from the Building Department. You can open yourself up to a lot of hassles if you don’t go through the necessary channels to obtain approval. Apartment alteration "war stories" exemplify the need for utilizing proper renovation procedures. Some of the accounts from the front line will make you think twice before taking any shortcuts. Read More
Floor and Wall Coverings
The lobby of the SoHo building where Stephen DeCordova, an actor, owns a co-op is almost too small to be noticed. A tiny vestibule leads to a narrow hallway where you’ll find the stairs and elevator. Four years ago, this entryway was dark and dingy with broken-down floors. Now, a few wise decisions later, the space has an impact that is far from small. A new slate floor; walls of marble, fresco and brick; stripped steel trim and a glass wall dividing the vestibule from the hall give it a contemporary feeling. It also has something of the flavor of an old train station. On entering, you immediately feel like you’re on your way to somewhere–somewhere interesting, somewhere fun. Happily for the co-op, the stone, metal and unpainted polished plaster make the space practically maintenance-free. As designer William Fares says, "It won’t wear out, it will age." Read More
The London Terrace Restoration
Like a firm handshake or solid eye contact, certain things can turn first impressions into good impressions. For a building, the look of a lobby can make or break its reputation, both among residents and visitors. To catch an approving eye, nothing works better than welcoming, elegant common areas. Realizing this, the board of London Terrace, a 700-plus unit co-op occupying four towers along the corners of West 23rd and 24th Streets and Ninth and Tenth Avenues in Manhattan, decided to renovate the four lobbies and common areas. Read More
