Renovating a Downtown apartment in a high-rise tower, what's different versus a villa, and what will the building actually allow?

You're right that a high-rise apartment reno is as much about the tower's rules as the work itself, and Downtown buildings tend to be strict. Expect: a formal NOC from building management before anything starts; defined working hours (often mid-morning to late-afternoon on weekdays only, no weekends) so noisy work is boxed in; service-lift booking for every material delivery and debris removal, with the passenger lifts off-limits for the job; and mandatory protection of the lift interiors, corridors and lobby, with a deposit you lose if you damage common areas. On the work: moving walls, and any plumbing, gas or electrical change, needs approval because it touches the building's systems, and wet-area waterproofing is taken seriously here because a leak goes straight into the apartment below, which is the fastest way to a dispute and a bill. So the plan is: get the building's renovation rules and NOC first, design the logistics (lift slots, debris, hours) around them, and treat waterproofing and approvals as non-negotiable. A team that regularly handles apartment renovation in Downtown towers will know each building's specific rules and often manages the NOC and lift-booking side for you. Sort the building's requirements before you design the works, not after.