Page 15 - New England Condominium May EXPO 2019

of whether there are windows, gyms always lobby level was converted to a gym. The require artificial ventilation.” What Are the Options? “It’s something I’ve done many times,” were able to work with an architect to add suggested a multi-use space that included dominium boards when she consults with says Susan Lauren, Principal of Lauren In- terior Design in New York City, about re- purposing existing spaces. “More and more that this type of repurposing requires De- older buildings are undertaking projects like partment of Buildings approval and a change rent out the space for high-end fundraising and perhaps most importantly for co-ops this to compete with new construction. One in the building’s Certificate of Occupancy. of the easiest things to do is to take an apart- ment or an unused space, usually in the base- ment, and turn it into an amenity. I did a ture in Chicago, describes the award-win- job at Renoir House \\\\\\\[on the Upper East Side ning adaptation of a courtyard in an apart- of Manhattan\\\\\\\], where they took an unused ment building constructed in the 1920s to a apartment and turned it into a gym. It was more modern use. “The building had an ‘H-’ occasional logjam that can result in missed nities mean added value, and added value so clever. It was simply a question of taking shape,” he says. “We took a portion of one of opportunity. “We worked with a condomin- down a couple of walls, and we retained the the courtyards and built bicycle storage. The ium building constructed in the 1960s,” he you sell – so if you’ve been eyeing a disused bathroom. We got rid of the kitchen and idea was to encourage residents to exercise, says. “At one time the building had a com- brought in appropriate flooring and equip- ment. The flooring was designed to cut to the lakefront and bicycle paths. Another it been out of operation for some 15 to 20 the time to turn it into something wonder- down on noise. It wasn’t difficult.” Lauren also describes another repurpos- ing where a space formerly used as the su- perintendent’s store room on the building’s we turned into a feature of the courtyard. It space was dark, but it was up against the the ground floor. It was a commercial space rused or unused space, Lauren suggests the exterior of the building, and as such they that went unused for a very long time. I following considerations to co-op and con- windows. Once the windows were installed, library shelves, seating, Wi-Fi, and a confer- light poured into the room. Lauren cautions ence table for shareholder meetings. We even can it accommodate? Is the space attractive Think Out of the Box Patrick Rosen, Partner at Rosen Architec- particularly due to the building’s proximity missary as part of the ground floor plan, but promising space in your building, it may be intention was to discourage driving. We years. It was just an empty space behind the ful. came up with a formula – one bike for ev- ery five units – and designed a shed, which a committee of residents set up by the condo has sliding barn- type doors and ter many meetings, the board pulled the plug lights that come on the project because of lack of consensus on automatically on what to do with the space. The space is when the doors still unused.” If you have an unused space, are open. This don’t make the mistake of letting a project amenity became to revitalize it get derailed by indecision or one of the main political infighting. That not only deprives features that the residents of an amenity, but it may mean that building adver- tises.” “People are becoming much more creative,” says Lauren of are gyms, community spaces, and storage. what she sees be- ing done in build- ings now. “At 535 and what your budget is. Storage, especially West End Avenue, in apartment buildings, is often a real neces- we did a multi-use sity – and it’s far less expensive and construc- space. They had a tion- and infrastructure-heavy than a gym or beautiful, round even a community space. corner space on installed a bar area with a refrigerator. They and inviting? Does it have windows? Finally, events. The room has two access points--one and condominiums, what amenities does through the lobby and the other from the your building currently have, and what do street--so if they rent it out for a party, no one competitive properties have? What ameni- is walking through the lobby to enter.” A Cautionary Tale Rosen recalls a situation that reflects the doorman’s desk. We were hired to work with board to re-purpose the space. In the end, af- your building or association will miss out on a potential revenue stream. What’s Popular According to both Rosen and Lauren, the most common and sought-after amenities The main considerations for choosing be- tween these uses are what space is available In deciding what to do with your unde- them: What is the size of the space? What ties would make – or keep – your building competitive with other buildings? In the case of condos and co-ops, ame- means more money in your pocket when basement corner, super’s apartment or other n A J Sidransky is a staff writer/reporter for New England Condominium, and a published novelist. NEWENGLANDCONDO.COM NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM — MAY 2019 15 ISTOCKPHOTO.COM THE BEST TIME TO FIND AN EXPERT IS BEFORE YOU NEED ONE. 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