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.
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.
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.