Many property owners are surprised to learn that in New York City, the property owner — not the city — is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk in front of their building. Under NYC Administrative Code Section 19-152, property owners must: Failure to comply can result in fines, legal liability if someone is injured, and the […]
New York City buildings face constant wear from harsh winters, heavy rain, pollution, and freeze-thaw cycles. Over time, brick mortar begins to crack, crumble, and weaken. That’s when property owners often hear two terms: brick pointing and repointing. But are they the same thing? If you own a brownstone, apartment building, commercial property, or landmark
If you own a building in New York City that’s six stories or taller, the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) will give your facade one of three ratings every five years under the Façade Inspection & Safety Program (FISP): Most NYC building owners understand “Safe” and “Unsafe.” But SWARMP is the rating that confuses co-op
If you own a building in New York City that’s six stories or taller, the rules just changed. In 2025, the NYC City Council passed a wave of new legislation — including Local Laws 49, 50, and 51 — that directly affects how you inspect your facade, how long you can leave a sidewalk shed
If you own or manage a building in New York City that’s six stories or taller, Local Law 11 isn’t optional. It’s the law. And one of the first questions every co-op board, condo owner, and property manager in NYC asks us is simple: How much is this going to cost? The honest answer? It
New York City buildings are tough. But even the strongest brickwork wears down over time. If you see cracked bricks, crumbling mortar, or white powdery stains on your walls, don’t wait. Small brick problems turn into expensive structural damage fast — especially with NYC’s brutal freeze-thaw winters and heavy rain.At MGR Restoration, our licensed brick
If your NYC building is over six stories tall, you are required by law to have your facade inspected every five years. This law — officially called the Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP), but widely known as Local Law 11 — protects pedestrians, tenants, and your investment. Failing to comply can mean thousands of dollars
In New York City, your building’s exterior is constantly under attack. Between the freezing “freeze-thaw” cycles of winter and the heavy vibrations from the subway, brick and stone structures eventually wear down. When you notice damage, you will likely hear two terms: Masonry Repair and Masonry Restoration. While they sound similar, choosing the wrong one
If you walk through New York City, you see them on almost every block. Dark tunnels made of steel beams and wood covering the sidewalk. These structures are called sidewalk sheds. Many people call them scaffolding, but that is not technically correct. A sidewalk shed is built to keep pedestrians safe from falling debris. Scaffolding
When you walk through the streets of New York City, the first thing you notice isn’t the lobby of a building—it is the exterior. This outer shell is known as the facade. Over time, this “face” of your property takes a beating from traffic pollution, bird droppings, mold, and harsh weather. But what is facade
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