adding balconies to condo building

I know we’ll eventually have to engage the services of an expeditor, contractor, and/or architect, but I am writing to get your wisdom on how best to start investigating this project. We live in a 6-unit, owner-occupied, new(ish) construction condo in Windsor Terrace.  Our half of the building has three apartments, and we all get along famously.  We were just talking last night about whether we can add a balcony to each apartment (well, patio to the first floor)–and if we can, should we and how much might it cost…. From a building perspective, it is certainly possible.  But we don’t know about set-back requirements or other issues we need to be aware of. Planning to go to homeowners’ night at DOB soon to talk to those folks.  Any other ideas, suggestions, warnings (!) would be appreciated.

curiositykilledthecat

in Construction 12 years and 11 months ago

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pigthree | 12 years and 11 months ago

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they seem to add these to their buildings in s. williamsburg and wallabout overnight.

brucef | 12 years and 11 months ago

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If the balconies are stacked over each other, simple footings can support them all with ironwork columns. Cantilever decks, attached from within are prohibitive, as two thirds of the supports have to be inside the house, with one third out. OK if you are buildinh from scratch, but too hard as retrofit. You will definitely need architect, and possibly structural engineer,as the masonry? opeinings need legal headers and you are changing egress.