Improper designs in violation of the Fair Housing Act caused developer Glenwood Management to accept $950,000 in fines in a settlement with the Manhattan U.S. attorney in February.
Prosecutors said at least three of Glenwood’s buildings have scores of inaccessible features, such as thresholds and mailboxes out of reach of those in wheelchairs. The settlement also requires Glenwood to retrofit buildings to bring them into compliance with FHA rules and inspect six other structures for possible violations.
While these types of violations are rare, particularly when experienced architects and engineers are involved, the complexity of FHA and other regulations make it risky for developers to hire newbies, some designers say. A New Jersey architect told Construction Dive that if the architect or engineer doesn’t come from a background of designing multifamily housing, some of the requirements could be overlooked.
Accessibility regulations are particularly complex, governing several building attributes such as entrances, common areas, doors, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Nov 4, 2015
Labor City: The Qatari complex for 70,000 migrant workers opens
The project is just one of seven house complexes built by the government for the country’s approximately 260,000 labor migrants.
Architects | Oct 27, 2015
Top 10 tile trends for 2016
Supersized tile and 3D walls are among the trending tile design themes seen at Cersaie, an exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings held in Bologna, Italy in October.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 27, 2015
Multifamily building in downtown Montreal is being built from the roof down
The method eliminates the need for scaffolding and cranes.
Modular Building | Oct 22, 2015
My Micro NY will soon be New York's first micro-apartment building
The Manhattan modular building will be completed in December and will contain apartments with low rents, but small space.
Architects | Oct 20, 2015
Four building material innovations from the Chicago Architecture Biennial
From lightweight wooden pallets to the largest lengths of CLT-slabs that can be shipped across North America
Multifamily Housing | Oct 20, 2015
Builder confidence rises on multifamily’s strength
Starts and completions were up solidly in September, but permits are leveling off.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 16, 2015
Textile factory turned multifamily has train tracks running through it
The Counting House Lofts is a 200-year-old building that still has its train tracks, exterior train bay doors, and a watch house tower.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 15, 2015
Montreal apartment is world’s largest residential cross-laminated timber project
Its 434 condo, townhouse, and rental units in three eight-story buildings are made from sustainably harvested wood turned into panels by Canadian company Nordic Wood Structures together with the Cree Nation in Chibougamau.
Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | Oct 15, 2015
Apartment takes progressive turn in architecturally traditional D.C.
The new Lyric 440K Apartments is a 14-story structure housing 234 one- and two-bedroom units in the heart of D.C.'s up-and-coming Mount Vernon Triangle
Multifamily Housing | Oct 12, 2015
Freddie Mac: Multifamily demand should outpace supply through 2016
Vacancy rates and rent growth are “converging” in most markets.
