Better amenities can equal better quality of life for residents, increased value and salability of units, and can sometimes even generate income for the building, such as a fitness room with annual gym membership.
Building amenities are getting more exotic by the day--IMAX theater, squash court, chef's kitchen, anyone? In a competitive market, co-op/condo boards and building owners realize that adding or improving amenities can be a worthwhile investment.
With some creative thinking and careful planning, unused or underutilized spaces can be converted into functional and attractive offerings for your building. However, effectively repurposing space can be a considerable undertaking. To make it less daunting, the first step a board should take before starting any major construction project is to hire a professional engineer or registered architect to conduct an in-depth evaluation and analysis, known as a feasibility study, to determine the project's viability.
In RAND's latest Ask the Engineer column, we discuss:
- How feasibility studies can save time and money
- Considerations a site evaluation will cover
- Code and zoning research
- What is included in the feasibility study report
For more on feasibility studies, read the full article and send us your questions or comments to info@nullrandpc.com, or call us at 212-675-8844. We look forward to hearing from you!
Stephen Varone, AIA is president of RAND Engineering & Architecture, DPC and Peter Varsalona, PE is RAND's Principal and head of the firm's Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Team.
