As market fluctuates, property maintenance is key.

The New York City commercial real estate market conditions fluctuate constantly, but one factor of property management remains consistently important in leasing space: property maintenance.

Smart building managers will continually upgrade all aspects of their properties to compete and achieve maximum rents and occupancy levels. With almost 90 years experience in this tough market, the Kaufman Organization is able to apply our decades of knowledge to the improvement of third-party assignments, as well as our own properties, resulting in high levels of tenant satisfaction and profitability.

Of course, the work must be completed to the highest possible standard at the best possible prices to maximize both of these measurers of success.

For example, we recently implemented a major capital improvement project on properties in the Fashion District including 450 Seventh Avenue and 460 West 34th Street.

At 450 Seventh, a 500,000-sq.-ft. office building owned and managed by the Kaufman Organization since 1946, the $4 million upgrade included state-of-the-art computerized elevators, a new lobby, new public corridors, and new bathrooms. The facade of the building was also updated, returning its outer appearance to its original stateliness.

Also, to meet a new and more stringent code of compliance, we installed a new, state-of-the-art Class E fire alarm system to ensure tenants' safety. As a result, occupancy levels have reached 95%.

At 460 West 34th Street, elevators have been modernized, all of windows have been replaced and the lobby has been remodeled to reflect its original art-deco style. It is changes like these that keep tenants pleased with their offices and new leases being signed.

Another improvement to our buildings is our 24/7 Emergency Coverage, a system that connects all buildings to an around-the-clock response center. The system will contact the appropriate person to fix a problem, be it a leaky pipe, a faulty elevator or a fire. The peace of mind property managers can provide clients through upgrades can make their building stand out from the crowd.

While undertaking these changes, it is of course of utmost importance that we stay in constant contact with the Department of Buildings, working with them to ensure code compliance. As experienced managers, we know the "in's and out's" of municipal filings and can make sure work is properly filed. The complexities of these details make our experience in the industry one of our strongest assets.

In short, market conditions change. During a strong market, you can rent anything, and in a weak market, your properties must stand out from the crowd. The fact is, you must always be upgrading to prepare for the next cycle to protect the value of your asset.

Since 1918, the Kaufman Organization has been synonymous with unparalleled real estate management services in New York City. By being owners as well as managers, we are intimately knowledgeable about real estate and bring the same level of concern and expertise to outside management assignments.

With our state-of-the-art management systems and our deeply experienced staff, we are uniquely qualified to deliver first-class service to customers.

STEVE KAUFMAN, THE KAUFMAN ORGANIZATION