How Tall Can Buildings Really Get?

There’s a constant race to build the tallest structure the world has yet to see. Today’s construction is highly successful and competitive, which makes us wonder: how big can buildings really get? 

The world famous Empire State Building stands 381 meters tall, but humans continue to exceed this height with more extravagant structures. Can you imagine a tower as tall as 1,000 meters high? In just four years, Saudi Arabia plans to create a building this tall, which goes beyond many others we’ve seen.

When does it stop? With such little capacity in cities like New York, it’s no wonder skyscrapers grow more and more over the years. Buildings made before the twentieth century were built on awkwardly shaped plots of land. Today, buildings are designed to be tall to prevent limited space without wasting space. Believe it or not, our limit is far beyond any current structures. A kilometer would be easy - a mile or more is also possible.

What it comes down to is whether or not we actually want a tower taller than the largest mountain in the world. Some architects worry that people will feel unsafe. What are your thoughts on the rise of New York skyscrapers? Let us know on Facebook!

AM & Associates 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. 

Bronx Historic Building to be Demolished

Plans to replace the Bronx's 'Castle on the Concourse' are set in motion. After almost two decades, the historic building will be torn down in exchange for an affordable housing complex.

According to a new Crain's report the 30,000-square-foot, unkempt structure was “left to rot under the city's stewardship”. The de Blasio administration is now requesting a proposal to reconstruct what was once a unique addition to the city. The transformation is said to bring 120 apartments, improving overall public health for the Bronx.

What are your thoughts about this recent city project? Let us know on our Facebook or Google+ page.

The experts at Alan Margolin & Associates are here for a variety of services, including concrete inspection and structural safety. Visit our website for a complete list of services we provide.

Keep up with the latest industry news and New York City happenings by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and connecting with us on Google+.

AM & Associates: Services We offer

What kind of construction plans do you have set for the spring? Big or small, safety and proper attention to detail should always be your top concerns! That's why special inspections are a vital component in the building experience.

Which services can Alan Margolin and Associates provide for you in the New York and Metropolitan area? Below is a complete list of special inspection services we offer:

Sprinkler Systems

Standpipe Systems

Energy Code Compliance

Mechanical Systems

Heating Systems

Fuel-Oil Storage and Fuel-Oil Piping Systems

Fire-Resistant Penetrations and Joints

Fire-Resistance Rated Construction

Sprayed Fire-Resistant Materials

Structural Steel

Structural Stability – Existing Buildings

Concrete

Masonry

Wood

Soils

Deep Foundation Elements

Helical Piles

Wall Panels, Curtain Walls, and Veneers

Mastic and Intumescent Fire-Resistant Coatings

Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS)

High-Pressure Fuel-Gas Piping (Welding)

Excavations - Sheeting, Shoring, and Bracing

Underpinning

Private On-Site Storm Water Drainage Disposal & Detention

Flood Zone Compliance

Luminous Egress Path Markings

Emergency and Standby Power Systems (Generators)

Post-Installed Anchors

Preliminary

Footing and Foundation

Structural Wood Frame

Public Assembly Emergency Lighting

Final Inspection

And more…

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.

Mayor Bill de Blasio's Vision Zero Campaign Promotes Pedestrian Safety

There's no question that when many think of NYC streets they think of, well, traffic. Our roads are not flooded with just cars, but also bicyclers, pedestrians and - rather often - construction.

To help keep pedestrians safe, the Vision Zero campaign recently required a reduction in the city's speed limit; from 30 mph to 25 mph. Next, some of the most dangerous streets in the five boroughs will be redesigned to promote safer traveling conditions for all.

A few other implementations you can expect to see include:

• Adding speed cameras 
• Increasing pedestrian crossing times 
• Targeting police enforcement, especially in the evening and overnight hours. 

Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

Interested in learning more about the Vision Zero campaign and how it aims to decrease the number of pedestrian fatalities citywide? Click here »

AM & Associates 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.

An Evolution of Special Inspection in Masonry Construction

Today, buildings need to be built with the potential for higher magnitude forces in mind, whether it be an earthquake or some other nature force. Therefore, even though an earthquake is not necessarily more likely, masonry must be designed more "robustly."

Quality assurance programs have thus too become more important due to this increased focus on reinforced masonry. Since inspection is one of the key components of QA, special inspection in masonry construction has become a critical activity. Special inspectors are instructed to assure masonry walls are built both properly and to code. 

The primary goal of masonry construction special inspection is to catch any mistakes while they are still fairly easy to correct. Public safety is also inevitably in the hands of the various procedures these special inspectors perform. 

Want to know more? Visit www.cement.org »

AM & Associates is a team of NYC special inspectors providing masonry and various other special inspection services to the entire metropolitan area. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information. 

Steps for Creating a Safer Construction Site

There are an endless number of considerations that go into a construction job and safety precautions are certainly one of them. While special inspections and engineering services ensure that all buildings are built properly and to code, individual workers and team members must be in on overall regulations in order to maximize safety. 

Keep your job site a safe and successful one by incorporating these few tips below:

Instill safety as a core value. From the top down, safety and it's importance should be understood by all. Executives should lead by example and provide all-level managers with the proper safety training needed. 

Hold everyone accountable. If individual employees are not held accountable for risking safety they are more likely to cut corners and cheat the system. Set safety goals early on and make sure they are addressed in routine reviews. 

Evaluate your subcontractors safety performance. What is the safety culture and safe day-to-day operations of the subcontractor you are looking to hire? It is a poor idea to hire a subcontractor that could put your current safety standards at risk. 

Develop a detailed fall management program. With falls being the number one cause of death and injury on construction sites, it is essential that an effective fall management program be developed. At just 6 feet or higher a reliable procedure should be known and put into place. 

Talk about safety regularly. Don't leave safety guidelines behind at the planning stage but always circulate safety reminders and crucial procedures regularly. Whether it be in the weekly meeting or at the start of the day, make sure the important aspects of your safety plan are remembered and respected by all. 

AM & Associates 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.

New York's Landscape is Changing! Here's How

New York is a city of rich & vibrant history and you know more stories are set to be told in the year 2015. How will our favorite skyline be altered and tweaked in the upcoming year?

See below for a few major highlights:

Famous architects are taking action - bring oddly shaped structures and a few tall pieces of work to our city. 

Price growth will continue to be paired with a boom in luxurious condo buildings. 

Cultural renovations will meet completion. The Whitney Museum along the High Line will open on May 1st and the St. Patrick's Cathedral has set a goal to wrap up its restoration in time for Christmas! 

For more details on what you can expect throughout the upcoming months, visit ny.curbed.com »

AM & Associates 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.

New Year, New Project? Choose AM & Associates

We live in a city that never sleeps and neither does its construction! For your 2015 engineering projects and special inspection needs, consider our team at Alan Margolin and Associates. 

Our proactive approach to every project we complete ensures that your work will be completed in a timely manner while safeguarding against costly defects and code violations. 

Open communication has always been key to a project's success and will continue to be so in the upcoming year. Help your project stand out by connecting with us at AM & Associates. For a few more reasons you'll be glad you worked with us, see our YouTube video below: 




For updates on construction codes and NYC happenings in the new year, connect with us on social media! 

Facebook - Twitter - Google+ - YouTube 

NYC Housing Market Brings Demographic Changes

The NYC housing market is ever-changing and the demographic changes by neighborhood are certainly no different. Between 2000 and 2010 there has been a lot of movement within the boroughs - as certain demographics (categorized by race, age and income) have shrunk in some areas and grown in others.

According to the Citizens Housing & Panel Council, 5 major trends can be highlighted:

1. In 2010, the largest population cluster (1 million residents) includes low-income families and singles, majority-Hispanic. 
2. The black middle class declined by 18%, with an overall 5% decline of the city's overall black population.
3. Majority-white upper-middle class areas have become whiter. 
4. Traditionally diverse areas are becoming increasingly occupied by high-income white, mostly single, households. 
5. Asian populations have expanded into areas preciously dominated by white populations. 

Learn more about these housing market changes here »

IAS accredited and experts in NYC construction and applicable building codes, AM & Associates is comprised of professional engineers, architects, certified inspection technicians and more. Our clients own and manage over 100 million square feet of space in NYC, including high rise office buildings and other major complexes. 

An "Urban Bowl" Penn Station?

Plans for a new Penn Station are in the works but it does require some negotiating with the long standing Madison Square Garden. NYC architects and city planners hope to reveal a drastically improved Penn Station by 2023 which, in recent years, has been an extremely overcrowded transit hub. 

To make this dream a reality, "the Garden would need to relocate to the Morgan postal facility between 28th and 31st streets and Ninth and Tenth avenues." Solutions that do not require the removal of the Garden from its current location are also in the works but sources of funding still need to be discussed. 

For more on the potential transformation of Penn Station visit ny.curbed.com. 

Alan Margolin and Associates is your New York City special inspection agency. For a complete list of services we provide to support a bigger, brighter and safer metropolitan area, visit our website. 

Keep up with the latest industry news and New York City happenings by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and connecting with us on Google+.

Luxury Apartments Have NYC Construction Booming

Have you noticed the surge in luxury residential development? It certainly has NYC construction booming and Alan Margolin and Associates is keeping tabs.

According to the New York Building Congress, spend on construction in 2014 will total to be 17% more than the previous year – marking a post-recession rebound.

There is one concern, however. Little to no investment is being made in affordable units for moderate and low-income New Yorkers. For wealthy buyers, on the other hand, the New York housing market is about to get much bigger.

For more on this story, visit NY Daily News.

AM & Associates 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.

Trinity Church Set to Expand

More residential buildings are on the rise and this time it is happening on the Trinity Church's 2 million dollar property. 

Along with a 444 seat public school and a 1 million-square-foot development at 4 Hudson Square, Trinity Real Estate (church's property arm) is now looking for a partner to undergo this 430-foot-tall, 300,000-square-foot residential building in Hudson Square. 

For more on these new developments in planning, click here. 

Alan Margolin & Associates has been proving engineering services to the New York area for over 30 years. Focusing our craft on special inspection, we are experts in the New York City Department of Buildings' requirements and ensure all construction is built properly and to code. 

Our IAS accreditation is proof that we operate at the highest level of ethical, legal and technical standards. Visit our website for more information on our credentials and a complete list of services we provide. 

Keep up with the latest industry news and New York City happenings by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and connecting with us on Google+.

Landmark Colony - Bringing Life Back to the Farm

Remember the 45-acres of abandon farm land on Staten Island? It is finally being brought back to life! Once known as the New York City Farm Colony, this land is being transformed into 350 units of senior housing by NFC Associates, backed by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. 

Vacant for more than 40 years, this land will soon be referred to as Landmark Colony. Changes to the old buildings are being made with an effort to avoid generic designs and contain a bucolic feel in the mist of a city. 

For more details on the redevelopment, click here. 

Alan Margolin & Associates has been proving engineering services to the New York area for over 30 years. Focusing our craft on special inspection, we are experts in the New York City Department of Buildings' requirements and ensure all construction is built properly and to code. 

Our IAS accreditation is proof that we operate at the highest level of ethical, legal and technical standards. Visit our website for more information on our credentials and a complete list of services we provide. 

Keep up with the latest industry news and New York City happenings by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and connecting with us on Google+.

44 New NYC Developments Revealed

NYC real estate will not fall short this season. With 44 new developments hitting the market, available condos and rentals are plentiful. 

215 Chrystie Street. This two part building - half hotel, half apartment - will be filled with a contemporary interior. 

1110 Park Avenue. This 16 story white stone building will add nine new residences to the upper east side. 

252 East 57th Street. These long awaited 93 condos include amenities that will not disappoint. 

19 Park Place. With circular balconies and glass railings, 24 condos will be added to Park Place. 

515 West 29th Street. One of the many new additions to the High Line, this buildings wavy exterior isn't the only thing that makes it unique. Each resident will have their own outdoor space with a fire pit.

Verizon Building. This highly anticipated project will convert the top floors to condos listed at prices starting out around $2 million. 

For a complete list of new developments, visit ny.curbed.com. 

Alan Margolin & Associates has been proving engineering services to the New York area for over 30 years. Focusing our craft on special inspection, we are experts in the New York City Department of Buildings' requirements and ensure all construction is built properly and to code. 

Our IAS accreditation is proof that we operate at the highest level of ethical, legal and technical standards. Visit our website for more information on our credentials and a complete list of services we provide. 

Keep up with the latest industry news and New York City happenings by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and connecting with us on Google+.

Chapter 33 of the 2014 Construction Code Brings Changes

New provisions have been made in Chapter 33 of the 2014 Construction Codes and training sessions are underway. A total of four training sessions will highlight the following changes made:

Occupant protection plan for office buildings - during long periods of constructions and demolitions, this will ensure the safety of its occupants. 

Fire safety provisions - deep evacuation sites must include standpipes and hoists.

Daily sidewalk shed inspection - either by construction site contractors or building owners, these must now be checked daily to ensure safety and proper lighting. 

Changes to the construction code help to ensure safety for every New Yorker. Learn more about the launch at nyc.gov. 

Alan Margolin & Associates has been proving engineering services to the New York area for over 30 years. Focusing our craft on special inspection, we are experts in the New York City Department of Buildings' requirements and ensure all construction is built properly and to code. 

Our IAS accreditation is proof that we operate at the highest level of ethical, legal and technical standards. Visit our website for more information on our credentials and a complete list of services we provide. 

Keep up with the latest industry news and New York City happenings by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and connecting with us on Google+.

Long in the Works Moynihan Station in First Phase of Construction

An expansion on Penn Station? Our beloved Grand Central may have some competition! This long-awaited Moynihan Station is beginning to make progress. 

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Juan Miguel Lago

The first phase of the expansion, a $300 million dollar project, will include the following:

• An expansion of the existing concourses below the post office
• An underground passageway connected to Penn Station
• An emergency ventilation system
• Two new entrances at the corners of 8th avenue and 31st and 33rd streets

And that's not all! According to curbed, phase two "will turn the grand building into an open, light-filled train hall the size of Grand Central's grand hall."

For more on Moynihan Station's progress, click here. 

AM & Associates provides a full range of special inspection services including mechanical, structural, fire, and life safety to name a few. For a full list of inspections provided, please click here. 

Located atop the iconic Grand Central Station in midtown Manhattan, AM & Associates is proud to deliver quick service to our clients and expeditors. Our staff of highly trained inspectors work to accommodate our clients schedules and diligently process and return the constant flow of forms required for each NYC building project. 

Keep up with the latest industry news and New York City happenings by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and connecting with us on Google+.