Affordable Living on the Upper East Side

When people think of the Upper East Side, many may think of Gossip Girl, hedge funders, and old money. If you do your research, you’ll actually discover that there are some parts of the Upper East Side that go against that stereotype and are more affordable. If you travel to 90th-99th Streets in the UES, you’ll be in the area known as Carnegie Hill that offers varying price points.

Pricing

These streets have attracted a number of New Yorkers who are looking for lower living costs compared to what they are offered further downtown in Manhattan. While sale prices in the UES 90s are generally higher than Manhattan as a whole, rental prices are lower. The average Manhattan rental costs about $3,195, but the cost of rent in Carnegie Hill is $2,875 on average. The cheaper end of the market is mostly made up of pre-war walk-ups on side streets near the river.

Calmer Environment

Many residents like that Carnegie Hill is an area that has all the convenience of city living while still offering a break from all the hustle and bustle that comes with being in Manhattan. Resident and Earl’s Beer and Cheese owner, Mike Cesari shared his feelings on the area saying, “You can live in New York City and at the same time, you feel like you’re not living in New York City. The pace is a little slower. You have access to everything the city offers but can escape a bit as well.”

The Perks

Even with its more relaxed atmosphere, the Upper East Side 90s are not without their perks. These streets are home to the Smithsonian Design Museum, the Jewish Museum, and the 92nd Y. The area also has several prestigious private and public schools for those families with children. And now that the Second Avenue Q line has been extended to 96th Street, traveling here is even easier.

There are always areas in Manhattan that can surprise you like this one. Who knew that the area of NYC known to be the most expensive actually offered many affordable options? Want more surprising information about New York City? Connect with AMAA on Facebook and Twitter!

We are your source for special inspection and related services in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

17th Century Bar Remains in Financial District

When you look around New York City these days, your eyes meet skyscrapers, subway entrances, and taxi cabs by the dozen. It’s hard to imagine what the city looked like 50 years ago, much less how it looked long before that. But if you take a walk to the financial district, you’ll be able to see a piece of 17th century Manhattan in the form of the Lovelace Tavern remains.

The Lovelace Tavern

The tavern itself dates back approximately 350 years. The building was owned by Colonel Francis Lovelace, governor of New York at the time, and operated from 1670 to 1706 when it burned down. In 1697, the colonial New York City Council decided the Stadt Huys was unfit for use, so the Lovelace Tavern became the new spot to carry out government business. It functioned as a second city hall for several years until an official city hall was built in 1700.

The Tavern’s Discovery

In the 1970s, as part of an agreement with the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the Dollar Savings Bank funded a full excavation of the building site on Broad and Pearl Streets. During the excavation, archaeologists discovered the foundation walls and burned floorboards of the Lovelace Tavern, along with several artifacts, including bowls, plates, smoking pipes, and broken bottles.

The Tavern’s Significance

The discovery of the tavern paved the road for future excavations in Lower Manhattan. In 1983, the Landmarks Preservation Committee received a proposal which specifically outlined and protected the Dutch street grid. The tavern’s discovery also displayed the only above-ground physical evidence of 17th-century Dutch presence in New York, since most of NYC’s downtown colonial architecture was destroyed in a fire on December 16, 1835.

If you’re in the Financial District, stop by Broad Street, and take a look at what’s left of the Lovelace Tavern. If you want to keep up with more history and fun places to visit in NYC, connect with AMAA on Facebook and Twitter!

We are your source for special inspection and related services in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

Tour of a Founding Father's Home: Hamilton Grange

The ten-dollar founding father without a father got a lot farther by working a lot harder, by being a lot smarter, by being a self-starter.

Alexander Hamilton came to NYC looking to be a new man after devastation reigned on his home in the Caribbean. After attending King’s College, he played a crucial role in forming our country’s constitution and served as the United State’s first Secretary of Treasury.

In 1802, Hamilton’s country home was completed in NYC. He lived here with his wife, Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, and their eight children for two years before he was tragically killed in a duel with Aaron Burr. Elizabeth and the children remained in the house for 35 years until they moved to Washington D.C. Today, the house, dubbed by Hamilton as “The Grange,” still stands in NYC and offers tours to the public. If you're not able to make it there in person, let us give you a run-down of the founding father’s home.

The Home Itself

Hamilton commonly called The Grange his “sweet project” and made many of the decisions when it came to choosing the molding, window decorations, and even the flooring. The two-story, Federalist-style house has four upstairs bedrooms, a first-floor study, living room, dining room, and a kitchen in the basement that is now part of the visitor’s center.

The Living Room

The entire living room has been restored to mimic the original decor. It is styled with Louis XVI-type furniture and even has five of the original chairs from 1802. There is also a copy of a portrait of George Washington hanging on the wall. Washington actually sent the Hamiltons the original portrait as a gift, since Alexander viewed him as a mentor.

The Study

History has it that no one was allowed into Hamilton’s study unless he personally invited them. Hamilton designed the room himself and chose a deep green to reflect the outdoor beauty of his estate. Visitors will also note that the study is relatively small. Hamilton did this on purpose, since he already had a large office in New York City.

You can take a ranger-led tours of Hamilton’s house Wednesday through Sunday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m., and self-guided tours from 12 to 1 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. Best of all - the tours are free! Do you want to keep up with more history and fun places to visit in NYC? Connect with AMAA on Facebook and Twitter!

We are your source for special inspection and related services in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

What are Special Inspections?

As per the 2008 NYC Building Code, the New York City Department of Buildings requires all construction projects to be specially inspected. This is to ensure construction work is done in compliance with all applicable building codes and the Department of Building’s approved plans and specifications. However, not just anyone can conduct these special inspections. In order to be in compliance, a registered NYC DOB special inspections agency must do the job. You cannot have your TR-1 processed or approved without a special inspections agency’s write-off.

What is the IAS?

In short, the IAS stands for the International Accreditation Service. As a subsidiary of the International Code Council, the IAS has worked since 1975 to provide objective evidence that an organization or agency functions at the highest level of ethical, legal, and technical standards. In a world that demands reliable products and services, accreditation is a necessity to determine what organizations will provide clients with the best experience.

AMAA & the IAS

AMAA is an IAS accredited Class 1 special inspections agency, meaning we are permitted to perform the work associated with such special inspections on any project. We are also one of the first agencies in the New York City metro area permitted to perform special inspections on construction projects.

NYC Energy Code Compliance Inspections

We are committed to meeting the growing demand for energy compliance in NYC. AMAA has an extensive background with the requirements of the 2014 NYC Energy Construction Conservation Code Progress Inspection. We provide skilled inspectors to thoroughly document your NYC TR-8 item projects.

AMAA Service

Our staff is always available to answer questions about new or ongoing projects, and our operations team work with your project team to ensure that your construction project stays on schedule. Located in midtown Manhattan, we are able to provide our clients and expediters with quick and convenient services.

AMAA is your source for special inspection and related services in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

Secrets of NYC's Weirdest Places

It seems that no matter where you go in New York City, there are fun facts and secrets around every corner. You’ve probably walked by buildings before, thinking they could never have any interesting backstories. In some cases you might be right; but in others you’d be wrong. These are some fun secrets about a few of NYC’s weirdest places.

Blood Angle: Doyers Street

Doyers Street connects Pell Street & the Bowery in Chinatown. It’s unusual 90-degree angle turn provided the perfect place for ambushes during the “Tong Wars” in the 20th century. Fights constantly broke out at that curve between Chinatown’s famous Tong Gangs. Tunnels that run under the street allowed gang members to flee the scene of the crime during that time. So many murders happened on Doyers Street that the site became known as “Blood Angle.”

The World’s First Elevator Shaft: Cooper Union Foundation Building

Back in the 1850s, Peter Cooper decided that he wanted his new building - one of the tallest buildings in New York at the time - to have an elevator. (Keep in mind, elevators didn’t exist yet.) Believing that a practical elevator would be invented soon, the building used a pulley system inside a shaft to bring goods between floors. Shortly after this, the first elevator was created by Elisha Otis; but to Cooper’s surprise, it was square, not round like he had envisioned.

New York’s Walk of Fame: Theater 80

In 1971, former actor, Howard Otway, opened Theater 80 in St. Mark’s Place to show films from decades past. To celebrate the opening, Otway invited several movie stars to a party and asked them to leave their signatures and handprints in the cement in front of the theater. Among the names in the sidewalk are Dom DeLuise, Joan Crawford, Myrna Loy, and Gloria Swanson.

Did you know that little sections of NYC had this much history to them? What other secrets do you know about the Big Apple? We’d love to hear about them. For more fun facts and information on New York City, connect with AMAA on Facebook and Twitter!

We are your source for special inspection and related services in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

History Lies Beneath the Gilsey House

Can you imagine strolling through the Lower East Side and seeing a 41 acre farm? Obviously New York City has transformed over the last few centuries, but a trip to the past would reveal that very farm in the spot Gilsey House now stands.

The Man Who Started It All

In the late 1700s, Casper Samler purchased 41 acres of land that stretched from present day 23rd Street to 42nd Street. Casper ran a dairy farm on the land, which was triangular in shape and bound by Bloomingdale Road (Broadway) & the old Eastern Post Road (the road to Kingsbridge).

St. George Cricket Club

In the 19th century, the St. George Cricket Club, known as the Dragonslayers, began using the empty land behind Casper’s farmhouse as their playing grounds.Though it was described as "dwarfish and insignificant" in appearance, a small ale house on the property was the players’ favorite location from 1838-1844.

The Ale House

The ale house proprietor, Ralph Burroughs, was famous “as a cultivator of the most luscious and delicious kitchen stuff to be purchased upon the Manhattan island,” which clearly was the more important factor. Players would walk through the Burrough’s garden to the cricket grounds

after enjoying a hearty vegetable dish from the ale house.

Gilsey House

When Casper died in 1810, his farm was passed down to his grandchildren and step-daughter, Margaret. In 1869, Peter Gilsey leased a large portion of land from the estate for $10,000 a year and tore down the farmhouse to make way for Gilsey House. This structure served as an eight-story hotel until it closed in 1911 after a long conflict with the hotel operator and the Gilsey estate over the lease terms. In 1980, it was converted into co-op apartments.

Today, Gilsey House still stands on the corner of Broadway & West 29th Street. Even with all our knowledge about how far Manhattan’s infrastructure has come, it’s crazy to think that a dairy farm and cricket grounds used to sit where apartment buildings are now. Are you looking to keep up to date on more NYC buildings and news? Connect with AMAA on Facebook and Twitter!

We are your source for special inspection and related services in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

Can Solar Power Heating Work in NYC Buildings?

New York City is home to 8.4 million people, all who use utilities every day. In an effort to improve NYC’s green thumb, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability published a report on the city’s water and energy usage back in 2013. The main finding of the report? Multi-family properties account for over half of the energy consumed by the city’s buildings, with ⅔ of that energy going towards heating and hot water. The main cause of this was inefficient steam heating systems that use a high amount of energy. One suggestion on how to fix this problem came from a California-based nonprofit, which suggested using solar water heaters instead.

Would It Work for NYC?

The Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) noted that for buildings that have high daily hot water usage, solar water heating can be used to supplement existing systems and reduce heating costs by 60-80%. There was some speculation about whether or not the system could work during New York’s more dreary months. Nicholas Oliver, a project manager with the CSE, resolved that the solar technology is actually better at catching indirect sunlight as opposed to direct, so it would work wonderfully for New York.

Real Solutions

Since the system works best on buildings where there’s plenty of roof space in relation to the size of the building, low-rise buildings would probably benefit more than tall apartment towers would. To remedy this, Paul Gottsegen, president of the Halstead Management Group, suggests solar sharing programs. He believes, “this is the way to go, because not every building has the roof print to accommodate enough solar panels.” In solar heating programs like these, community members help cover the cost of placing the panels somewhere else. Once the energy is collected, those who contributed get a reduction on their energy costs.

What’s Next?

Sustainability CUNY, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, and the New York Economic Development Corporation have teamed up to start an initiative called the NYC Solar Partnership. For now, it’s taking requests for information from potential suppliers of community solar power. Those homeowners who do opt for solar water heating can benefit from income tax credits and even grant money if they go through Solarize NYC.

We may see solar panels popping up on the roofs of NYC buildings in the near future. Do you want to keep up to date on NYC buildings and news? Connect with AMAA on Facebook and Twitter!

We are your source for special inspection and related services in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.