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Sisto Martello

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A podcast about New York City Development, Zoning, Code and Construction

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SCA School Design in NYC | Retail Space in NYC | Kerry Zucker | ESKW Architects | Episode #127

From public school buildings to retail spaces, the range of what gets designed and built in New York City is unlike anywhere else in the world. In this episode of Sisto Says, Sisto sits down with Kerry Zucker of ESKW/Architects — a firm with over 60 years of experience designing community-focused projects across education, housing, and culture in New York City. Kerry and Sisto cover a lot of ground in this one — from the nuances of designing for the School Construction Authority and what it really takes to deliver SCA projects on time and on budget, to the evolution of retail space in NYC and what architects are navigating as that landscape continues to shift. It's an honest, wide-ranging conversation between two people who know this city and its built environment inside and out. Whether you're in architecture, construction, or real estate in New York, this episode is worth your time. Listen, subscribe, and drop your comments!
Aug 6

Everything You Didn't Know About NYC School Designs with Rob Rogers | Rogers Partners | Sisto Says Eps# 126

Building schools in New York City is one of the most complex undertakings in the industry — and few people know that world better than Rob Rogers. In this episode of Sisto Says, Sisto sits down with Rob Rogers, Principal of Rogers Partners Architects+Urban Designers, for a wide-ranging conversation about what it really takes to design and build education spaces in one of the most demanding cities in the world. Rob and Sisto dig into how education architecture has evolved over the past four decades — from the rise of science and athletic facilities to the pedagogical shift away from traditional classroom models. They talk about the logistical realities of building in active schools, the key differences between public, private, and charter school projects, and why assembling the right team is everything when you're navigating landmark buildings, complex zoning, and tight construction windows. They also preview what NYC's new existing building code, expected in July 2027, could mean for the education sector — and why it may open the door to more flexibility and creativity for architects and code consultants alike. If you work in architecture, construction, or real estate in New York City, this conversation is well worth your time. Watch, subscribe, and learn more about Design 2147 at www.design2147.com
Jul 30

The State of the Queens Real Estate Market | Vince Prezioso | Corcoran Group | Sisto Says Eps# 125

Queens isn't just one market — it's dozens of neighborhoods, each with its own story, its own momentum, and its own set of opportunities. In this episode of Sisto Says, Sisto sits down with Vince Prezioso, a seasoned real estate broker with the Corcoran Group and over 40 years of experience buying and selling property across Queens. Vince and Sisto dig into what's really happening on the ground — from the impact of City of Yes and the 485X tax benefits, to the looming foreclosure wave hitting rent-stabilized building owners, to why land in Queens is still one of the hottest plays in the city right now. They also talk about what it takes to unlock value in complex, multi-zoned properties and why the best deals always come down to building the right team. If you work in real estate, development, or construction in New York City, this one is packed with real insight from two people who've been in the trenches. Watch, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments.
Jul 23

NYC Sustainability's Impact of Local Law 97 | Patrick Beesley | Runwise | Sisto Says Eps# 124

Local Law 97 is one of the most significant pieces of legislation to hit New York City building owners in a long time — and if you haven't figured out your compliance plan yet, the clock is ticking. In this episode of Sisto Says, Sisto sits down with Patrick Beesley, Director of Partnerships at Runwise, to break down what LL97 actually means for the people running buildings in this city. Patrick walks through how smart building technology is helping owners reduce carbon emissions, cut energy costs, and stay ahead of the law's escalating requirements — without the kind of capital-heavy overhaul most people assume is necessary. It's a practical, boots-on-the-ground conversation about sustainability in New York City and what the path to compliance really looks like. Whether you own a building, manage one, or work in the construction and real estate space, this episode is worth your time. Watch, subscribe, and drop your questions in the comments.
Jul 16

Preservation of Landmarks in NYC | Angel Ayon | Ayon Studio Architects | Eps# 123

New York City's landmarks tell the story of who we are, and keeping them standing takes a lot more than nostalgia. In this episode of Sisto Says, Sisto sits down with Angel Ayón, Principal of AYON Studio, an award-winning architect and preservationist who has spent over 26 years dedicated to saving and enhancing some of New York's most significant historic buildings. From his work on the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum to community advocacy in Harlem, Angel brings a rare combination of technical expertise and genuine passion for the built environment. He and Sisto dig into what landmark preservation really looks like in practice, the regulatory process, the challenges, and why it matters for the future of our city. If you work in construction, architecture, or real estate in New York, this one is worth your time. Watch, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments.
Jul 14

Facade Restoration Part 2: The Real Cost of Delays | Matthew Jaworski | Brend Restoration | Eps #122

Matthew Jaworski of Brent Restoration is back for round two, and Sisto and Matthew picked up right where they left off. This time they get into the mechanics of a facade project from start to finish — what actually triggers the work, how an unsafe condition or a five-year cycle gets things moving, and why your building's insurance and ability to borrow money can hinge on the state of your envelope. They spend a lot of time on the single biggest source of delay that Matthew sees on his jobs: neighbor licensing agreements. If you've ever wondered why a sidewalk shed goes up before anyone's even talking about the actual scope of work, this is the episode that explains it. They also get into how the products have changed — terracotta, membranes, sealants, roofing — and why Matthew's take is that most failures aren't about the product at all, it's about the installation. Plus a look at where technology and AI are (and aren't) changing the trade, and why soft costs on a project have crept up so much over the years. If you're a building owner, property manager, or anyone who touches facade and envelope work, this one's packed with the kind of detail you won't get anywhere else. Thanks for watching. Subscribe for more conversations like this one, and drop your questions for Matthew in the comments.
Jul 13

Facades, FISP & the Fight for Rigger Safety | Matthew Jaworski | Brend Restoration | Eps #121

For decades, the people actually doing facade and rigging work in New York City had no voice in how it was regulated. In this episode of Sisto Says, Sisto talks with Matthew Jaworski, owner of Brend Restoration, Shelter Rock Safety, and a founding member of the NYC Special Riggers Association, about what changed that. They cover the evolution of Local Law 10 and 11, how the Department of Buildings works with trade organizations today, the shift from visual inspections to drones and rope access, and why some of the smartest safety reforms, like eliminating dangerous standoff brackets, only happened once tradespeople were finally in the room. If you want to understand how New York balances regulation, safety, and getting the work done, this conversation is worth your time. Watch, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments.
Jul 10

40 Years of NYC Construction & Mentoring the Next Generation | Bob Zirkel | EW Howell | Eps#120

If you want to understand how NYC construction really works, you talk to someone who's lived it. In this episode of Sisto Says, Sisto sits down with Bob Zirkel, Vice President at EW Howell — one of New York's most respected general contractors — for a conversation worth having. Bob has been in the industry for over 40 years, starting on the ground as a superintendent and working his way up. They discuss how much this city and this business have changed, what it takes to build in New York today, and how to bring the next generation of project managers up the right way. Whether you're already in construction or just curious about what it takes to build in one of the most complex cities in the world, this one's worth your time. Watch, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments.

A podcast about New York City Development, Zoning, Code and Construction

Creator

Sisto Martello
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

120
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 SISTOSAYS
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SISTOSAYS