Monthly Archives: July 2016

Developer, Featured, Renovation

Brooklyn Co-living

Brooklyn Co-living Development

Scope

This Brooklyn project is a re-development of an existing three-story building with a commercial ground floor in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Working with a developer, the scope included a gut renovation and addition to transform the structure into an attractive co-living space. EDG provided zoning, financial models, help in fundraising through private equity, development analysis, planning, and full architectural and structural design for the 9,000 sq. ft. mixed-use building.

Approach

The objective was two-fold: create a “singular address” as a Brooklyn focal point and design a kit of parts adaptable for future developments. Given the building’s prominent corner location adjacent to McCarren Park, Bond and EDG aimed to refresh the outdated townhouse and maximize the buildable area. The team gutted existing spaces and added a fourth story, doubling the residential area. Leveraging in-house zoning and code expertise, EDG and Bond produced highly efficient floorplans, with a rentable area only 8% below gross area. The communal living units and amenities are economical and modular to support Bond’s long-term strategy.

Impact

The four-story revitalization features a diversity of social spaces, including a retail base with outdoor seating, interior courtyard, rooftop, and basement recreation area. The design opens the building to the neighborhood, playing to local elements while introducing a signature aesthetic. Paying homage to its eclectic and heterogenous orbit of an industrial warehouse legacy, Victorian fronts, and new residential projects, the building plays up this spirit with a dynamic façade with changes character from day to nighttime. Individual living spaces are elegant, comfortable retreats from the city. Carefully considering the desires of the target demographic, the color palette and material finishes evoke a cool sensibility balancing energy with calm. The innovative mixed-use development creates a community of shared value and sets a new standard for co-living.

Developer, New Building

Lenox Avenue Addition

Lenox Avenue Addition

Scope

This three-story building (Lenox Avenue Addition) with a cellar is located in Harlem, NY. The construction is brick and cast iron, supported on pile foundations. EDG performed a feasibility study for the addition of one to three stories on the existing structure as well as the replacement of the existing structure with a new building. EDG’s work included planning, architectural design, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering and cost-estimating. Previously, EDG was the architects, engineers and project managers for the 9,000-sq.ft. Red Rooster restaurant and event hall, which span two levels of the building.

Approach

Because the building was occupied during design, EDG took the least invasive approach for the foundation test pits and probes. EDG looked to configure the addition so that it was supported by the vertical and lateral supports of the existing building structure. Designing the addition to this 80-year-old structure required a deep understanding of historical construction types.

Impact

Once EDG determined that reinforcement was required, EDG designed the addition so only one line of columns required reinforcement and so the ground floor restaurant could continue to operate during construction. EDG then outlined the requirements for the addition to determine costs for project feasibility.

Property Manager, Restoration

South Broadway Garage

South Broadway Garage

Scope

EDG was hired to repair the 3rd, 4th and roof levels of the South Broadway Garage, located in White Plains, NY. EDG designed the restoration of the precast structure, including the façade. The previous owner had neglected the structure, leaving the three levels in extreme disrepair. In some areas, water would pour in from the ceiling, obstructing vehicular traffic.

Approach

By surveying and probing the structure, classifying work into critical and non-critical categories, and reviewing long-term preventative maintenance opportunities, EDG determined potential vs. actual costs and offered repair options through value engineering. EDG also provided the owner with design options for the future parking expansion.

Impact

The project was carefully phased, so critical areas were addressed first. We successfully evaluated alternatives to add value to the structure, including the potential expansion of the parking garage. Note: During the course of the project, the garage was acquired and demolished by the City of White Plains.

Property Manager, Renovation

Concordia College

Concordia College Campus

Scope

Concordia College is a private liberal arts school located in Bronxville. The school struggled for a few years to provide additional parking on their campus, because local authorities were concerned about potential traffic and environmental impacts. The client approached EDG to design parking layout options that would maximize the number of new spaces while minimizing impacts on neighboring properties and landscape. With EDG’s designs, Concordia was able to meet with the Mayor and local authorities to discuss potential impacts and gauge political support for the project before navigating the approvals process with the local planning board.

Approach

EDG surveyed the site to determine existing conditions, opportunities and constraints. Work included review of vehicular ingress, egress and internal traffic flow, as well as preparation of schematic plans to demonstrate parking capacity for various layout options. EDG prepared detailed plans for the chosen layout, including tree replacement, lighting, and stormwater design calculations.

Impact

EDG increased the parking capacity of the site by over 30% with less than a 20% increase in impervious areas and ultimately provided a more cost-effective solution with a greater parking capacity than offered by other consultants. EDG also helped the client manage the political side of the approvals process.