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What does pre-war building mean NYC?
IT is a sliver of a word, and a nonspecific one at that, but in New York City real estate, “prewar” speaks volumes. The term, applied generally to apartment buildings built before World War II, conjures images of high ceilings, thick walls, plaster ornamentation and generous layouts.
What does it mean when a building is pre-war?
A prewar apartment is a term that pertains to apartment buildings constructed before World War II. Prewar buildings are generally considered to be those constructed between 1900 to 1939, but buildings that date back to the 1880s are often included in the prewar category.
Why do people want pre-war apartments?
By and large, pre-war buildings remain a good investment. They also deliver a lot of value to buyers, especially those who plan to buy and hold for at least a decade. This largely reflects the fact that most pre-war buildings are co-ops, which are generally much less expensive than new condos.
How do I know if my building is pre-war?
Pre-wars have hallways, foyers and high ceilings, often nine feet or more. Apartments in newer buildings tend to have lower ceilings (eight feet was the standard for post-wars) and they usually have uniform floor plans.
Are prewar buildings quiet?
Because of the aforementioned structural integrity and quality build, most prewar apartments are quite a bit quieter than newer postwar apartments, as the materials between each unit are often thicker.
Why are NYC apartments so old?
The reasons are varied. Some of the buildings have too much residential area, too much commercial space, too many dwelling units or too few parking spaces; some are simply too tall. These are buildings that could not be built today.
What are NYC apartment walls made of?
Drywall consists of crushed gypsum plaster sandwiched by cardboard paneling and is generally a half-inch thick. Therefore, unless you’ve found a stud — a vertical beam that’s part of the apartment’s internal structure — you’ll hang your object onto a hollow and relatively weak wall and will need to account for this.
When were pre-war houses built?
These homes may be old, but they’re full of spunk and charisma. Homes built between 1890 and 1940 — before World War II — were dubbed pre-war. At the time, houses started changing, shifting from functional farmhouses and Victorian mansions, to a happy medium of two-storied houses and a basement.
What is pre-war and post war?
Here’s a quick primer: Prewar is anything built before World War II, Post-war is anything built between World War II and the 1990s. And new construction is just what it sounds like—buildings that are currently being built or were built in the last year or so.
Do pre-war buildings have elevators?
Usually pre-war buildings, walkups have no elevators and are generally five stories or shorter. Most have a voice intercom for buzzing guests in. (Technically, townhouses are considered walkups, but are simply called townhouses.)Mar 13, 2013.
What is a pre-war 6?
Compass. If you’re drawn to New York’s older, prewar buildings, you’re probably a fan of the classic six. These are apartments with detailed facades, high ceilings, and plaster moldings—and as the name suggests, a layout with six, separate rooms.
What is FT doorman?
A full-time doorman means a full-time salary (and generally benefits are included as well), and the cost of the doorman is typically added to the rent of everyone who lives in the building.
Can I build a house in NYC?
A basic new construction house in NYC will cost about $300 – $350 per square foot. This will be a house with basic quality, often referred to as builder quality, materials and fixtures. You will not have to use the cheapest products in this house, but you also cannot use the most expensive ones.
What is considered new construction in NYC?
The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) has very specific rules about when an “alteration” becomes a new building. For example, the DOB will look at how much floor area is added. If it was increased by more than 110%, it’s a new building.
What are apartment buildings made of?
The number of floors and the presence of a podium varies; the key unifying element, it turns out, is under the skin. They’re almost always made of softwood two-by-fours, or “stick,” in construction parlance, that have been nailed together in frames like those in suburban tract houses.
Are brick buildings quieter?
Houses make with brick as the siding material are quieter than houses made with other siding materials. Made from clay fired at nearly 2,000°F, brick is the most fire resistant siding material available.
Are older buildings more soundproof?
Not necessarily. It depends on the specific sound control measures in place. In fact, many older apartment buildings are much quieter than their newer counterparts because they were built when construction costs were lower.
What is a postwar building?
Postwar Buildings A postwar apartment is one that was built after World War II, but before the 1990s. Compared to prewar buildings, these apartments tend to look similar to each other and have more of a “cookie cutter” type of look.
