How difficult is it to renovate or update a prewar apartment?

Here is an article that I found which might be of interest to anyone else with this concern. It's at http://www.cooperator.com/articles/1147/1/Old-Glory/Page1.html

And one more article at http://www.cooperator.com/articles/290/1/Authenticity-Fetches-Big-Bucks/Page1.html

lobster, ask away. really.

Lobster, certainly there are issues unique to pre-wars as there are to newer structures but renovating is a huge, difficult task regardless of the vintage of the building so if you prefer pre-wars, as I do, don't be overly concerned about the age of the unit. My resolution for you is that you MUST continue sharing your interests & concerns with us on SE. Mazel tov.

I don't think I'd put much weight on pre- or post-war in terms of deciding whether to undertake a reno (so long as by pre-war we aren't talking about 1890. Plaster walls are a royal pain in the ass if you choose to go that route in a pre-war, and you may have more rewiring or plumbing updates to do, but none is an especially heavy lift if you are talking about gut renovations of pre vs. post war.

Hope you continue to ask and start interesting threads. :)