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A GUIDE TO RESEARCHING THE HISTORY OF A BUILDING
(Adapted from Christopher Gray, "A Guide to Researching the History of a Building," New York Times, 2 July 1995, p. 5)
To complete an in-depth study of a building, the only information you need to provide is the block and lot number. New York City information centers provide the rest!
1. First, ascertain whether or not your building is historically significant. This information can be attained by calling: The Landmarks Preservation Commission at (212) 669-7700.
2. The next place on your agenda should be:
The Manhattan Office of the Department of Buildings
280 Broadway, 5th floor, 9am-5pm.
(212) 566-5000
Here you can use the public access terminals of the computer-building-application index. Record keeping started in June 1866. (Later for boroughs other than Manhattan.) They have some information and databases available on their Web site, including complaints and violations and recent jobs performed on the property: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/bis.html
3. Now, hit the pavement again and go to: The Municipal Archives at 31 Chambers Street, Room 103 (212) 788-8580. Here you will find the Department of Building's docket books. These are yearly summaries on microfilm.
4. For title records, visit the Office of the City Register at 66 John Street, 13th floor, (212) 361-7550.
Also, try their Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS)
http://a836-acris.nyc.gov/Scripts/Coverpage.dll/index
This database allows a search for property records by block and lot numbers, document type or party name; selected scanned documents may be viewed.
5. Now that you have the dates of the building you can check the census at the: New York Public Library, 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue, (212) 340-0849. Go to the History Room and ask any available librarian to assist you on how to use their records.
6. Finally, to determine the personal information on residents or owners and other building facts go to:
The New York Historical Society
2 West 77th Street at Central Park West
Library open Tuesday- Saturday 10am-5pm
(212) 873-3400
To further investigate the people affiliated with the building look in: Byron and Valerie Falk's Comprehensive New York Times Personal Name Index.
Other Helpful Web Sites:
New York City Property Information System (Department of Finance)
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/home.html
click on "Real Estate Tax" then "Assessment Roll"
*Access the Real Estate Tax Assessment Roll
*Determine the property tax rate and amount, and market value of any property in the five boroughs.
*View Lot and Building Size.
Department of Housing Preservation and Development
http://167.153.4.71/hpdonline/provide_address.aspx
*Search for Building Registration
*Search for Housing Maintenance Code Violations
New York City Rent Guidelines Board
*View complete list of rent stabilized buildings
Department of Citywide Administrative Services
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcas/html/dres_menu.html
*View properties for auction by NYC, including information on lot size, zoning and assessed value. Includes map image of each parcel.
New York City Housing Authority
NYCHA Property Directory
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/html/propertyguide.html click on "Contents"
*Search for public housing unites by address, development name, or block and lot numbers.
*Determine management of each unit.
*Determine what types of facilities are available at each development.