BUILDING DEPARTMENT COMPLIANCE

Safety and Department of Buildings (DOB) regulatory compliance are an undeniable concern for responsible construction-industry professionals and property operators throughout New York City. Consulting with Manhattan-based AK Engineering is the first step in ensuring your project is completed in compliance with the requisites as defined by the NYC Building Code.

AK Engineering provides a complete spectrum of inspection services, helping clients fulfill NYC DOB regulations within an expansive array of categories. NYC Special Inspections are performed by AK Engineering during various stages of construction, addressing each specific project’s needs and ensuring every regulated component of an installation satisfies DOB requirements. DOB-approved AK Engineering can help guide you through the regulatory process and will provide the Special Inspections and Progress Inspections you require to ensure compliancy.

IAS ACCREDITATION

AK Engineering excels at the leading edge of the construction industry, due, at least in part, to: Knowledgeable, well-trained and courteous AK Engineering inspectors and professionals, who work closely with project teams to identify issues of concern and propose effective solutions to problems; timely, efficient coordination with project teams that ensure time-sensitive inspections are conducted in support of aggressive construction schedules, and quick turnaround of Building Department forms.

As an experienced and fully qualified Special Inspection and Progress Inspection agency, AK Engineering is proud to share its accreditations. AK Engineering is officially recognized as an International Accreditation Service (IAS)-accredited Special Inspection Agency (SIA). The DOB requires an engineering firm be accredited by IAS or an equivalent organization for such inspections to be valid for all Class I projects. 

FEATURED PROJECTS

The qualifications and background of AK Engineering supports the firm’s success in providing a full range of DOB-required special/progress inspections for all types of industries and architectural environments in New York City.

AK Engineering provides Special Inspections within a wide scope of industries ranging from financial, media, legal and retail to real estate management, hospitality and higher education.

AK Engineering has continued to build impressive client and project rosters since inception. Included among its many notable clients are H&M, Trader Joe’s, Cushman & Wakefield, The Blackstone Group, NBA, MLB, Marriott, Viacom, KPMG, Equinox, Joe & the Juice, KKR, Core Power Yoga and Peloton, to name just a few.

Restaurants & Commercial Kitchens

Starbucks Roastery NYC

Starbucks Reserve Roastery NYC brings the American coffee company’s great passion for coffee to the greatest city in the world. The excitability of New York City drew Starbucks to open a roastery in the meatpacking district of Chelsea, marking the company’s fourth roastery worldwide and second location in the U.S. AK Engineering is proud to share its partnership with Starbucks as the special inspection agency hired for the flagship store at 61 Ninth Avenue. The 23,000 square foot space on the corner of 9th Avenue and 15th Street houses an exciting design that includes two coffee bars, an experience bar, a craft cocktail bar, a boutique bakery, a tasting room and expansive seating areas. The centerpieces for the impressive project include fully operational coffee roasters and silos, where every day Starbucks Master Roasters make small batch coffee roasts. Each reserve coffee bean is expertly hand selected from its origin to confirm it meets the quality and ethical sourcing standards that Starbucks lives by. The functional space was designed for an immersive customer experience. The project included a new commercial kitchen, a complex flue system for the roasters, structural infrastructure for the mezzanine and split-level areas and coordination for all new MEP components within the public assembly space. AK Engineering worked closely with the team to confirm that all inspections were conducted within the building code standards and ensure the project was completed on schedule.

Retail

Nike Flagship NYC

AK Engineering was hired to conduct special inspection services for Nike’s Flagship Store located at 650 Fifth Avenue. The six-story, 68,000 square foot store on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 52nd street provides the “Ultimate Immersive Nike Shopping Experience”. The project was designed to provide the customer with a personal and responsive experience. The store features The Nike Speed Shop, Sneaker Bar, Live Store, digital commerce data area, Arena, a Sneaker Lab and Expert Studio, all locations that allow consumers to seamlessly shop and customize products. The retail areas that span each of the six floors are connected by several decorative convenience stairs and four new elevators. The facility was equipped with cutting edge technology and sustainable and energy efficient MEP systems. The new infrastructure provided many challenges for the massive project that was completed within an impressive 18-month schedule that allowed the store to open right in time for the holiday season in 2018. AK Engineering expertly guided the team through the inspection and sign off process to allow the project to be completed on time and in compliance with the latest building code regulations.

Retail

H&M Times Square

H&M is a leading fashion company with approximately 3,300 stores in 54 countries. Its first store opened in Västerås, Sweden in 1947. The retailer’s United States debut took place on New York’s Fifth Avenue in 2000. And when H&M more recently decided to open a new flagship store in the heart of Times Square, the company turned to AK Engineering for conducting and coordinating all required Special/Progress Inspections. Completed in December 2013, the project included a total renovation of multiple floors encompassing 50,000 square feet, which constituted an entirely new, three-story storefront system with all related structural support. The space at 4 Times Square was completely renovated and all mechanical, electrical, plumbing and sprinkler infrastructure and related components were replaced. Other structural modifications included new framing for floor openings to accommodate new escalators and extending of the mezzanine level. The successful completion of inspections and related coordination with the project team has inspired the relationship between AK Engineering at H&M to include additional projects of similar size and scope at the World Trade Center, 589 Fifth Avenue, 111 Fifth Avenue, Herald Square and Soho locations.

Health and wellness facilities

SoulCycle Grand Central

SoulCycle has revolutionized indoor cycling and taken the world of fitness by storm. The 45-minute indoor cycling classes offered by the fitness giant feature high-intensity cardio, muscle-sculpting strength training, and rhythm-based choreography in cleanly designed studios. When SoulCycle built out the striking 5,000 square foot Grand Central studio location at 485 Lexington Avenue, they hired AK Engineering to conduct the special inspections to ensure compliance with building code regulations and help navigate through the building department approval process. The project included a cycling studio, retail areas, reception and locker rooms including showers and bathrooms. The scope included inspections for all associated architectural, MEP and structural items. AK Engineering continues to maintain its long-standing relationship with SoulCycle, working on projects at 12 East 18th Street, 21 West End Avenue, 384 Lafayette Street and 342 Flatbush Avenue.

Restaurants & Commercial Kitchens

Momofuku Columbus Circle

AK Engineering collaborated with the team on the Momofuku Noodle Bar at Columbus Circle by conducting the special inspections for the 4,000 square foot restaurant. Established by chef and founder David Chang in 2004 with the opening of the original Momofuku Noodle Bar, Momofuku has grown to include restaurants in countries around the world. The restaurants have gained recognition for their innovative take on cuisine, while supporting local, sustainable, and responsible farmers and food purveyors. The complex Columbus Circle project included all disciplines of construction in a single restaurant space and a fast-paced schedule. The project included a full commercial kitchen, separate cold prep area, a sleek private dining room, a full bar and open seating dining area, all within the Public Assembly space. AK Engineering successfully coordinated with the team to ensure compliance and quality while maintaining all turn over dates for the project.

hospitality

W Hotel NYC - Lexington Avenue

W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and an innovator in the hospitality industry. When the W Hotel on Lexington Avenue underwent a complete overhaul of its heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) infrastructure, it depended upon the expertise of AK Engineering to perform all required inspections. The scope of the project included the installation of new heat pumps in each guest room throughout 18 floors of the building. All new equipment was installed to accommodate the infrastructure work, which included new cooling towers, pumps, heat exchangers and related controls.

New rooftop equipment was supported on a new steel dunnage and catwalk system. The fast-track project was completed in 20 weeks over several phases without interfering with the hotel’s operations.

AK Engineering kept pace with the project team and accommodated all necessary inspections throughout the duration of the work. The special/progress inspection firm has since completed two additional projects in the building with the same team, including the renovation of all American Disability Act (ADA)-compliant guest rooms and the remodeling of the living room portion of the hotel lobby.

Hospitality

Waldorf Astoria

When the world-renowned Waldorf Astoria renovated its public areas, they relied on AK Engineering to conduct all required inspections throughout the progression and completion of the work. The first phase included revamping the hotel’s impressive 20,000-square-foot Park Avenue entrance. All finishes were restored; new mechanical, electrical and sprinkler components were installed, and a new marquee canopy with all related structural support was erected. The second phase included renovation of a second-floor security office. The project culminated with a challenging third phase, which included the complete renovation of the Waldorf’s unique 15,000-square-foot motor court and related valet areas that run below the building. The enclosed drive, designed for welcoming celebrities and dignitaries, was restored to its original scope of 1931, with a four-lane arrival venue befitting the hotel’s Art Deco design.

The structural floor slab was re-supported with new steel and structural concrete. All new mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), sprinkler and fire alarm components were completed to support the renovation. AK Engineering special/progress inspection services also were administered for renovations of the hotel’s banquet-hall bathrooms and model guest rooms.