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We live in a brownstone in the north slope that is adjacent to an open lot on one side of the building. The owner of the vacant lot recently informed us that he plans to build a new brownstone of roughly the same size as ours on the site, and asked if we would be amenable to a party wall agreement, which we understand to mean an arrangement whereby we would allow him to use our existing wall to support his beams and joists, rather than erecting a new wall immediately adjacent to our own. We don’t have any experience with such matters, and so would appreciate any guidance regarding the specific issues we should consider in deciding whether or not to enter into a party wall agreement. In particular, we would welcome advice on the structural, acoustic, safety, and economic implications of agreeing to a shared wall. We would also appreciate referrals to qualified engineers who may be able to help us assess this kind of situation. Many thanks for any guidance you can offer!