The Emerson and the Old School
Bronx, New York
Portfolio / Housing / Supportive Housing
We renovated the Emerson, a former trade school, and the Old School, a turn-of-the-century model tenement building, into 86 new affordable studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments. The buildings now share a grand entryway and a two-story light-filled lobby, as well as indoor and outdoor community space.
A new steel and glass system encloses the original open air stairs of the Emerson, maintaining the design intent while providing shelter for the new residents. The metal-clad top floor of the two new stories on the Old School is visually differentiated from the original brick façade, which we completely rebuilt to replicate the original design. Building restoration work includes new apartment layouts, masonry repair, new wood windows, roofing, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The new interior finishes are true to the original, including hardwood and ceramic tile floors and wood trim. The project was funded in part by historic grants from the New York State Historic Preservation Office.
Client: Clinton Housing Development Company
Agency: NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD)
Structural: Silman
MEP: Abraham Joselow P.C., P.E.
Historical Consultant: Higgins Quasebarth & Partners
General Contractor: Mega Contracting Group
Photographer: T. Ligamari
Awards:
Excellence in Historic Preservation Award | Preservation League of New York State
Merit Award – Preservation | New York Construction Magazine
One Architect’s View of the Pandemic Year
When everything suddenly stopped in March 2020, the only thing some of us could do was keep going. Taking walks, riding bikes, noticing changes in the city, appreciating things we may not have prior to March 2020, looking for joy. Our separation brought us together,...
Looking Back at our Zoo and Aquarium Work
Ice cream trucks and sticky subway cars mean one thing: summer is back. New Yorkers get creative when it comes to outdoor summer activities, and we are lucky to have some of the best zoos and aquarium in the country. June happened to be National Zoo and Aquarium Month...
ESKW/Architects supports AAPI and Condemns Violence
Dear Friends, This month we reflect on the adversity and triumphs of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. ESKW/Architects supports our AAPI neighbors, colleagues, families, and friends and condemns targeted violence and racism of any form. We...