Converting 2-family + store to a 3-family
We recently purchased a property that is, according to DOB, a 2-family plus store. The ‘store’ has been used for the past decade, at least, as a studio apartment, which is perfectly appropriate given that it lies within a block of residential row houses. This is to say that it doesn’t look like a store,…
We recently purchased a property that is, according to DOB, a 2-family plus store. The ‘store’ has been used for the past decade, at least, as a studio apartment, which is perfectly appropriate given that it lies within a block of residential row houses. This is to say that it doesn’t look like a store, and would not make sense as a store (either to us or our neighbors).
We’re interested in renovating the studio/store into a proper apartment, and also offically converting the property to a 3-family.
WE HAVE NO IDEA EVEN WHERE TO BEGIN. Advice for books, websites, attorneys, pitfalls, and/or architects would be most appreciated.
Hello again,
JP, how can I contact you? I don’t want free advice, just informed advice.
Kingston, our house is in a VERY residential stretch, with just a corner pizza and a deli within sight, so it’s difficult to imagine ever having a business in the building. I appreciate your thoughts, though–best of luck with your building!
Is there any advantage to the building’s being a legal 3-family, if it’s legal to use the store area as a living space anyway? My building in Greenpoint is a 2-family plus store, with store used for studio/living. Former owner (an architect) said he never changed it from commercial because once changed, it couldn’t ever be changed back. I never thought we would want to use the space as commercial again, but to my surprise the street we’re on is reviving nicely, with restaurants, stores, yoga studios, etc., and I’m starting to think the building actually may be more valuable with commercial space a possibility. Could that happen where you are?
i give way too much away for free as it is. If everyone knew how to do this stuff, Id be out of business.
-jp
12:02 here.
I am in the middle of converting our 2 family plus store into a 3 family and it is a lot more work than I anticipated.
jp – please share with us how one might be able to get the handicap stuff waived. I didn’t think DOB was in the habit of waiving building code.
depends on a lot of things, you can get the handicap stuff waived if your lucky. You need and an absolute minimum to hire a good expeditor and likely an architect to draft and stamp plans. That list came from a mild understanding of the code books. so get reading, multiple dwelling law, fire code, and buidling code.
the DOB may make you sprinkler the stair, depending on whether you have a fire escape or not. Its basically a horrible process.
-jp
Thanks for the feedback so far.
8:07, what did you spend the $50K on? Obviously you wouldn’t recommend your architect, but if I could at least speak to her/him, that would be great.
10:47, who did you work with?
12:02, where did your list come from?
Here is a just the beginning of a long list of things you will have to do to convert to a 3 family.
The entrance way has to be handicapped accessible, meaning there has to be a ramp or a lift if there are any stairs involved with getting to the front door.
The ground floor bathroom has to be handicapped accessible.
The boiler room has to be enclosed with a two hour fire wall.
makes no sence, i did it for atleast half that price!
I did this. It took about three and a half years plus $50,000 in architecture fees, expeditor fees, and permits. There was no actual renovation work performed.