Tishman Speyer Is Building an Office Tower Over Macy’s in Brooklyn

Anyone who’s been to Brooklyn knows that the borough has a feeling unique to that of its other four counterparts. To add a little modernism to the area, Tishman Speyer has teamed up with HNA Group to work on a new project in downtown Brooklyn called, “The Wheeler.”

PC: Tishman Speyer

The Design

The project will add 10 floors of office space above the four floors of Macy’s retail space, as well as create a new building core to replace the odd one. The new core will tie together the three buildings that make up the space and feature open floor plans with a lot of glass to allow natural lighting. The building will also offer an acre of useable outdoor space, including 11 terraces and a roof with grass and seating for all tenants to use. The first four floors of office space will offer 90,000 square-foot floor plates and 16-foot ceilings, while the remaining six foot with offer 34-60,000 square-foot plates.

The Cost

The developer won’t disclose the exact cost of the project, but it is know that they took out a $194 million construction loan and paid Macy’s $170 million for the top six floors. They will also give Macy’s another $100 million to renovate the retail space.

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AMAA is your source for structural inspections, mechanical inspections, civil inspections, and architectural inspections in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

Plans To Transform Fonthill Castle in Riverdale Revealed

As a child, wasn’t it a dream of yours to live or, at least, hang out in a castle and pretend you were a princess or prince? Well some students over the past century or so have been able to do just that! Fonthill Castle has stood in the Bronx since the 1800s, but it’s now being redesigned by TRA Studios.

PC: TRA Studios

Back in 1852, the castle was built for Shakespearean actor,  Edwin Forrest, who then sold the lot it sat on to the Sisters of Charity of New York. The Sisters relocated their school, the Academy of Mount Saint Verno, to the Bronx when the construction of Central Park forced them to leave Manhattan.

The castle, which has been part of the College of Mount Saint Vernon’s campus since, will be reconstructed to allow the space to be used for exhibitions and events. The ultimate goal of the redesign is to assert the castle as a main hub for students and visitors to socialize and connect. The plan is to have the project completed within the next year.

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AMAA is your source for structural inspections, mechanical inspections, civil inspections, and architectural inspections in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

First Look at Circa Central Park’s Refined Amenity Spaces

If there’s one spot basically anyone would want to live in, it’s any apartment with a view of Central Park. There’s something about waking up in the morning and seeing a sea of green — or in the fall, oranges, golds, and reds — across the street from your window in Manhattan. Well, the last undeveloped corner that overlooks Central Park is now home to Circa Central Park, a semicircular condo that boasts many fabulous amenities.

PC" FXFOWLE Architects

The building is designed by FXFOWLE Architects and features 38 apartments spread over 11 floors, starting at $1.3 million. The condo started welcoming residents in June of this year, and actually held a lottery for it’s 10 affordable units, but that closed in July.

While the apartments themselves feature oak floors, Sub-Zero refrigerators, and high-end bathroom fixtures, the impressive condos are also not short on amenities, offering:

• A fitness center
• A 3,000 square-foot landscaped courtyard
• A child’s playroom
• A study room for children with MacBooks
• A shared rooftop terrace
• Kids’ scooters
• Remote controlled boats to use in Central Park
• Picnic baskets you can take on trips to the park

If you’re interested in living in Circa Central, there are still listings available for purchase. For more NYC building news, follow AMAA on Facebook and Twitter!

AMAA is your source for structural inspections, mechanical inspections, civil inspections, and architectural inspections in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

First Renderings of Essex Crossing's Second Phase Revealed

Essex Crossing is a project that has been years in the making. If we’re being honest, it took five year just to break ground on the project. But now the plans for the buildings are moving steadily along, setting the stage for phase two of the plans to be revealed. Project manager, Isaac Henderson, has given some insight on what these builds will be used for.

PC: Moso Studio

The Buildings:

For now, the buildings are simply labeled as numbers.

• Site Two: Part of phase one of development, this building was designed by Handel and will offer some 200 rentals, half of which are labeled as affordable.
• Site Three: This building will offer market-rate condos, office space, a ground-floor retail area, and part of Market Line.
• Site Four: This building will also house part of Market Line and will offer office space and 263 rentals, half of which will be affordable.

Sites Three and Four will be designed by CetraRuddy and Handel Architects.

The Park:

At the base of 145 Clinton Street will sit a 15,000 square-foot park designed by West 8. The park will add a nice green scene to the project and offer plenty of seating and a children’s play area.

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AMAA is your source for structural inspections, mechanical inspections, civil inspections, and architectural inspections in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

Cornell's High-Tech Campus Could Revolutionize How Buildings are Designed

Don’t you just love when you hear about construction projects being done with the environment in mind? We certainly do! That’s why we’re thrilled to hear that Cornell Tech is building a super high-tech campus that opens the door to revolutionizing how buildings aredesigned.

PC: Iwan Baan

The Campus:

Located on Roosevelt Island, the two million square-foot campus has been open since 2016, but will be under construction until 2043. As of now, it serves students studying computer science, business, and entrepreneurship, but upon completion, it will house around 2,000 students and hundreds of faculty and staff.

The High-Tech Main Dorm:

The campus’ main dorm is the currently the largest energy-efficient dorm in the world, and largest and tallest “passive” building in the world, meaning it uses very little energy to heat and cool the interior. This is due to some energy-efficiency requirements set by Germany’ Passive House Institute.

• Interior walls are covered in tape-sealed “jackets” that prevent outside air from getting into the building.
• Pipes that run around the ceiling constantly emit heat or AC into the room and adjust in real time to save energy and keep a consistent temperature.

The Cost:

By the end of its construction, the campus will receive a total of $638 million in funds from New York City, Michael Bloomberg, Charles Finney, and Joan Jacobs.

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AMAA is your source for structural inspections, mechanical inspections, civil inspections, and architectural inspections in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

Waterline Square Makes Headway on the Upper West Side

We told you we’d keep you updated on NYC building news, and we keep our promises. As the year rolls on, more headway is being made on Waterline Square on the Upper West Side, which means all those amenities we told you about last time are that much closer to being available to enjoy.

PC: JC_Heights

The History:

Formally known as Riverside Center, the project was originally conceived in a master plan by Christian de Portzamparc. (You might recall he was responsible for the first supertall residential building in New York City.) The project went through an intensive approval process and eventually was changed to what we know it as today.

The Who:

The architect of the buildings are Hill + West Architects, and each building has a different designer, each of whom is famed within the industry.

• The largest building — which will be built in a two-tower format of 1.2 million square feet —  is being designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox.
• The other two buildings will be designed by Richard Meier and Partner Architects and Rafael Viñoly Architects.

The Buildings:

There will be a total of 1,132 units between the three buildings, set to be offered in late 2018. The entire site is set to be completed in 2019.

For more NYC building news, follow AMAA on Facebook and Twitter!

AMAA is your source for structural inspections, mechanical inspections, civil inspections, and architectural inspections in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

The NYHTC is Opening a New Health Center in Brooklyn

Health care has been a big issue the past few years, so it’s nice to see that some employees will benefit from free healthcare through a new Brooklyn Health Center.

What It Is

The New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council has opened a 12-story, 180,000 square foot treatment and medical center at 620 Fulton Street in Brooklyn. The building cost $120 million to build and will generate revenue from the six floor of office and retail spaces, which the NYHTC expects to earn $3.5 to $4 million in rent each year.

Who Benefits from It

The health center will provide free health care to maids, bellboys, concierges, valets, and other non-managerial workers at upscale hotels.

What the Facility Will Include

Each floor of the treatment center will have one to two “pods” for different specialties. These will include musculoskeletal, women and pediatrics, ophthalmology and ears, nose, and throat, and dental. The design of the building also kept fluidity and ease in mind with an idea to get patients in and out quickly.

For more NYC building news, follow AMAA on Facebook and Twitter!

AMAA is your source for structural inspections, mechanical inspections, civil inspections, and architectural inspections in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.