Client: Boston Properties Inc. Project Date: June 15, 2024 – Ongoing Location: 601 Lexington Ave., New York, NY Malatesta Paladino is currently
For over 40 years, Malatesta Paladino has been a trusted vault replacement contractor in NYC, specializing in vaulted sidewalk repair, structural reinforcing, and complete vault replacement. Since 1985, we’ve helped commercial property owners and building managers tackle the unique structural challenges of NYC’s aging vaulted sidewalk infrastructure — delivering fully NYCDOT-compliant results.
A vaulted sidewalk is a sidewalk built over an underground space — typically a basement, storage area, or utility room that extends beneath the public sidewalk. This construction style was common in 19th and early 20th century New York City, particularly in Manhattan, as property owners sought to maximize below-grade space in dense urban lots.
Unlike standard sidewalks that rest on compacted soil, vaulted sidewalks are elevated concrete slabs supported by structural walls, steel beams, or masonry below. Over time, vaults can deteriorate due to water infiltration, structural fatigue, or inadequate original construction, making them far more complex to repair or replace, and far more dangerous to ignore when deterioration sets in.
Uneven or sunken slabs indicate the structure below may be compromised.
A hollow sound when walked on suggests void formation beneath the slab.
Moisture in your basement or vault space after rain signals waterproofing failure.
Orange or brown staining indicates corroding embedded steel reinforcement.
Concrete breaking apart, especially on vault ceilings, requires immediate evaluation.
Unaddressed violations result in the city completing the work and billing you — at a far higher cost than hiring a private contractor.
Preventing full replacement, our vaulted sidewalk repair services include crack injection, slab stabilization, concrete patching, corroded rebar treatment, joint resealing, and drainage correction.
We handle everything: demolition, new reinforced concrete forming and pouring, waterproofing membrane installation, and full sidewalk surface restoration to NYCDOT standards — including all permits and inspections.
We perform structural reinforcing when a vault needs targeted strengthening, we provide steel beam installation, rebar retrofitting, shoring, underpinning, and load capacity upgrades.
Our waterproofing services include traffic-bearing membrane installation, elastomeric coatings, expansion joint treatment, and drainage system integration — coordinated alongside repair or replacement work.
A thorough inspection including structural analysis, waterproofing assessment, and load capacity evaluation to identify underlying issues.
Management of the full Department of Buildings permit process
Installation of sidewalk sheds or pedestrian protection, coordination with building management, and establishment of safety zones.
Careful removal of existing vault structures while maintaining building stability.
Installation of steel beams and reinforcement followed by high-strength concrete placement meeting NYC code requirements.
Advanced waterproofing membranes and drainage systems protect below-grade spaces from water infiltration
NYC DOB inspections and documentation provided for compliance and recordkeeping.
Vaulted sidewalks are regulated under NYC Building Code and Department of Buildings oversight. Key requirements include:
Malatesta Paladino ensures all projects comply with NYC regulations, helping prevent violations and liability risks.
We've been working on New York City's infrastructure since 1985, with deep knowledge of the city's regulations, buildings, and underground conditions.
Every project meets NYCDOT specifications. We pull all permits and manage all inspections from start to finish.
From structural assessment to demolition, construction, and final inspection — everything is handled under one roof.
A+ rated with the Better Business Bureau for quality and professionalism.
Many completed vault replacement projects at major properties
Structural reinforcing can extend the life of an existing vault while meeting modern safety standards. Services include:
Vaulted sidewalk work involves structural engineering, underground utility coordination, multi-agency compliance, and active traffic management — all at once. The NYC Department of Transportation has specific permitting, inspection, and material requirements for this type of work that differ from standard sidewalk repair. Non-compliance can mean fines, failed inspections, or having to redo completed work at your own cost.
Beyond compliance, there’s the matter of liability. Property owners in NYC are legally responsible for the structural condition of vaulted sidewalks adjacent to their buildings. Malatesta Paladino brings decades of hands-on experience with this specialized work — protecting your property, your tenants, and the public.
We serve commercial property owners throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Nassau County. Vaulted sidewalks are especially common in older Manhattan neighborhoods — Midtown, the Financial District, the Upper East Side, and Tribeca — but our work extends across all five boroughs wherever vaulted sidewalk repair and structural reinforcing services are needed.
The right approach depends on the extent of the deterioration. Minor cracking, surface damage, or localized waterproofing failure can often be addressed with targeted repairs. However, widespread structural deterioration, significant void formation, or extensive corrosion of the supporting steel typically warrants a full vault replacement. We conduct thorough assessments before recommending any course of action.
In New York City, property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalks adjacent to their buildings, including vaulted sidewalks. If the NYC Department of Transportation issues a violation and the property owner does not address it within the required timeframe, the city will perform the work and bill the owner — usually at a much higher cost than hiring a private contractor.
Yes. Vaulted sidewalk repair and replacement in NYC requires permits from the NYC Department of Transportation. Malatesta Paladino manages the entire permitting process on your behalf, ensuring all work is properly authorized and inspected.
The timeline depends on the size and complexity of the project. Most vault replacement projects are completed within one to three weeks. We provide a detailed project schedule before work begins so you can plan accordingly.
In most cases, access to the vault or basement space below will be restricted during active construction for safety reasons. Our team works as efficiently as possible to minimize the duration of any access restrictions, and we communicate clearly with building management throughout the project.
Client: Boston Properties Inc. Project Date: June 15, 2024 – Ongoing Location: 601 Lexington Ave., New York, NY Malatesta Paladino is currently
Client: Boston Properties Project Date: January 15, 2024 – Ongoing Location: 90 Church St., New York, NY Malatesta Paladino is currently engaged
Project Date: December 15, 2023 Client: CMJ Lynbrook LLCLocation: 368 Ocean Avenue, Lynbrook, NY 11563 Malatesta Paladino undertook a comprehensive renovation
