Manhattan Façade Repair & Local Law 11 Specialists
Protecting Manhattan’s Historic Architecture & Ensuring DOB Compliance for Over 20 Years.
In the vertical city of Manhattan, façade maintenance isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about public safety and strict legal compliance. At MGR Restoration, we specialize in navigating the complex Department of Buildings (DOB) regulations specific to Manhattan’s high-rise and historic districts.
Whether you manage a pre-war co-op on the Upper West Side or a commercial high-rise in Midtown, our team delivers precision restoration that passes inspection the first time.
Got a project in mind? Let’s chat about bringing your construction vision to life!
Our Manhattan Restoration Services
- Local Law 11 / FISP Inspections & Repairs
Manhattan has the highest concentration of buildings subject to the Façade Inspection and Safety Program (FISP). If your building is over six stories, you are on the clock.
Cycle 9 Compliance: We handle everything from the initial scaffolding drop to the final filing.
SWARMP Remediation: We identify conditions that are “Safe With a Repair and Maintenance Program” before they become “Unsafe” violations.
DOB Violation Removal: received a violation? We expedite the repairs and paperwork to clear your record.
- Historic Landmark Preservation
Manhattan is home to some of the world’s most strictly protected architecture. We are experts in Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) guidelines.
Brownstone & Limestone Repair: Custom color-matching and composite patching for seamless restoration.
Terracotta Replacement: Sourcing and installing architectural terracotta for historic facades.
Cornice & Lintel Restoration: Stabilizing decorative elements in neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and SoHo.
- Waterproofing & Roofing Systems
Manhattan’s wind tunnels and freeze-thaw cycles destroy inferior waterproofing.
Thoroseal & masonry coatings.
Parapet wall rebuilding.
Flat roof replacement (EPDM/TPO) for high-rises.
- Water Testing of Glass & Panel Facades
High- and low-pressure water testing along with IR scan is highly informative when detecting water and air infiltration façade issues.
- Replacement of Individual Panels
Replacing individually deteriorated panels required carefully removing the damaged panel and its fasteners and replacing them with new matching panels without disturbing the surrounding panels.
- Sealant Replacement
Wet glazing is priceless service to curtain walls when applied and tooled by trained hands. It has superior sealing capabilities and provides bonding strength to the façade components in addition to fulfilling it aesthetic and waterproofing requirements.
- Painting and Color Matching of Panels
With help of advance color matching devices, we take out the guess work and get straight to work. We spray paint the panel system to get back their original look and luster.
- Local Law 11 Curtain Wall Compliance:
We can provide you with a professional inspection of your façade, do the needed repairs and arrange filing a Local Law 11 report to keep your curtain wall compliant with NYC laws. By regularly examining and maintaining your curtainwall, potential problems can be solved ahead of time and save a lot of time, money and future trouble.
Across all projects, we use material matching techniques to ensure repairs blend seamlessly
with the original façade, preserving architectural authenticity—especially for landmarked
buildings under LPC regulations.
Why Manhattan Property Managers Choose MGR
“Navigating a sidewalk shed permit in Manhattan is a nightmare. MGR Restoration handled the permits, the scaffolding, and the repairs without disrupting our tenants.”
Neighborhood Specific Knowledge: We understand that the logistical challenges of a narrow street in Tribeca differ from a wide avenue on the Upper East Side.
Safety First: Fully licensed, insured, and OSHA-certified to work at extreme heights in dense urban environments.
Minimal Disruption: We plan our scaffolding and staging to minimize impact on retail tenants and resident access.
Areas We Serve in Manhattan
We provide rapid response restoration services across the borough, including:
Downtown: Financial District, Tribeca, SoHo, Lower East Side.
Midtown: Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, Murray Hill, Theater District.
Uptown: Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Harlem, Washington Heights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is Local Law 11 (FISP) and does my building need it?
Local Law 11, now known as the Façade Inspection and Safety Program (FISP), requires all NYC buildings taller than six stories to have their exterior walls inspected every five years. If your building falls into this category, you must file a compliance report with the DOB to avoid heavy fines.
What does "SWARMP" mean in my inspection report?
SWARMP stands for “Safe With A Repair and Maintenance Program.” It means your building is currently safe, but specific defects must be fixed by a set deadline (usually the next inspection cycle) or they will automatically downgrade to “Unsafe,” triggering immediate violations. MGR Restoration specializes in clearing SWARMP conditions before they become penalties.
My building was filed as "Unsafe." What happens now?
An “Unsafe” filing is an emergency. You must install a sidewalk shed (scaffolding) immediately to protect the public and begin repairs within 30 days. MGR Restoration can mobilize quickly to install protection and start the remediation work to get your status upgraded.
Which FISP Cycle are we currently in?
NYC is currently in Cycle 9 of the FISP inspections. Deadlines are determined by the last digit of your building’s block number. Contact us with your address, and we will confirm your specific filing window.