New York City is home to many of the most iconic buildings in the world. The familiar skyline is displayed on various postcards and photographs and is often referenced in pop culture each day. In addition to being known for its diverse cultures and high-end fashion, the Big Apple is home to many skyscrapers, including One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and of course, the Flatiron Building. Originally designed by Daniel Burnham and completed in 1902, the Flatiron Building sits at 175 Fifth Avenue in the heart of its namesake, the Flatiron District. The structure was one of the earliest skyscrapers in New York City history and quickly became one of its top tourist attractions, mainly due to its unique triangular shape. In 1966, the Flatiron Building was designated as a landmark in New York City and would become a National Historic Landmark in 1989. The Flatiron Building was originally developed as offices for the Fuller Company and remained as such until 2019 when Macmillan Publishers left the building.

Located at 36 Journal Square Plaza in Jersey City, New Jersey, The Journal is a two-tower residential and retail development that contributes to the ongoing transformation of the Journal Square neighborhood. The project is centered around newly designed public plazas that improve circulation, connectivity, and the overall pedestrian experience.

The Interplay between the Amended RPAPL 881 and
The NYC Building Code

On December 5, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed major amendments to the New York Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law (RPAPL) § 881, which governs access to adjoining properties during construction. In contrast to its brief predecessor, the revised statute explicitly enumerates specific construction installations and cross-references construction codes and regulations. Consequently, understanding and properly applying the new law requires significant engineering insight. The following analysis examines the modified text to offer practical engineering clarifications to legal practitioners navigating these disputes.

Across the built environment, sustainability is often discussed in terms of metrics and targets. While those frameworks are important, many of the most impactful decisions happen at a more practical level—through how we approach existing buildings.

One of the most effective ways to support more responsible development is by extending the useful life of structures. Adaptive reuse allows buildings to evolve alongside changing needs, minimizing demolition while maximizing the value already embedded in the built environment.

GMS provided structural engineering for the new three-story field house located west of the existing football field and overlooking the adjacent soccer and lacrosse field. The fieldhouse includes several strategies to reduce its carbon footprint and conserve water and energy and was built for $26M. The field house totals approximately 45,000 sf and opened in the Fall of 2025.

When people think of New York City, they think of the bright lights, the larger-than-life skyscrapers, the diverse cultures, the endless activities, and landmarks that attract millions of tourists worldwide each year. As a cultural epicenter, the Big Apple has plenty to offer. It is, of course, also home to many of the flagship locations of some of the most famous and recognizable brands in the world, namely on Fifth Avenue. Fifth Avenue has a longstanding history spanning as far back as the 19^th century, with iconic brands such as Gucci, Armani, Nike, Prada, Versace, and Louis Vuitton establishing their own retail stores along the well-known avenue. We are proud to say that GMS has extensive experience when it comes designing structures to support and help realize the visions of these unique shopping environments. Nationwide, we have been involved in retail projects from new, ground-up constructions to renovations. We work with a wide variety of materials to solve unique challenges that may arise. The GMS team are experts at analyzing complex geometries of architectural amenities, unique storefront systems, canopies, and stairs.

Two GMS projects were recognized by the ACEC New York 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards:

50 Ninth Avenue – A renovation and adaptive reuse of multiple landmarked townhouses in the Meatpacking District. This project not only respects the past but also shapes the future of adaptive reuse in New York City and beyond.

25 Water Street – An office-to-residential conversion in Lower Manhattan, one of the largest of its kind in the city. The success of the project is a testament to the bright future of the adaptive reuse of large office buildings nationwide.

At Gilsanz Murray Steficek, we believe that building stronger communities goes beyond the structures we design. This Giving Tuesday, we’re proud to support organizations that advance equity, resilience, and opportunity across a range of fields — from healthcare and education to the built environment.

GMS provides a comprehensive range of inspection services for structures and building envelopes, including special inspections, garage, façade, retaining wall, tunnel, pedestrian bridge assessments, and parapet testing. We have ICC certified special inspectors, NYC Qualified Parking Structure Inspectors (QPSI), Qualified Exterior Wall Inspectors (QEWI), Qualified Retaining Wall Inspectors (QRWI), qualified parapet inspectors, and nationally certified tunnel inspectors. Our qualified staff deliver clear evaluations, code compliance support, and repair design services to ensure safety and performance.

To learn more about GMS inspection services, email us at info@gmsllp.com or call (212) 254-0030.

GMS served as the structural engineer for two SKIMS flagship projects in New York City and Los Angeles, supporting the brand’s expansion into iconic retail destinations on both coasts.