We renovated the Emerson, a former trade school, and the Old School, a turn-of-the-century model tenement building, into 86 new affordable and supportive 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, rebuilt to replicate the original design. 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 HPD
Program: Residential (affordable 30,200 SF and supportive 25,500 SF housing).
Size: 55,700 SF, 7 stories.
Team: Structural: Silman. Mechanical: Abraham Joselow P.C., P.E. General Contractor: Mega Contracting Group.
Photography: Peter Kublis.
Awards: Excellence in Historic Preservation Award. Preservation League of New York State, 2009. Merit Award – Preservation. New York Construction Magazine.