An eight-story renaissance revival style building situated in the proximity of United Nations Headquarter containing rich ornamentation of stone, terra-cotta, and marble work. Structurally, the building has mega thick load bearing masonry walls with cinder concrete floor occupies the entire width of the lot.  Building originally designed by Clarence S. Luce for David H. King Jr. and constructed in the 1890’s.  The building served as a Columbia University Club for 56 years and then in 1975 the building was purchased by our client (The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity) for use as a headquarters.  HSA-UWC has retained ownership of the building Currently in use as a community facility “Home of Outstanding NGOs Serving NYC Community and the World”.  At the street façade the first floor consists of metal and glass storefronts and a 2-story ornamental entrance at the middle of the façade.  Above the store fronts are 2 stories of deeply revealed stone courses capped by a decorative string course at the 3rd floor windows. From the third to the sixth-floor brick in common bond is laid with decorative elements around windows such as quoins, Juliette balconies with columns and tympanums. The 7th floor has full window height terra cotta panels in between windows.  A cornice protecting approximately 18- inches and a parapet with 36-inches high balustrade complete the street façade.  On the other walls brick is laid in common bond with header courses every 6th course. The building is “U” shaped with a south facing courtyard from the third floor. There is a copper roof at the 2nd floor. The east façade is exposed above the 6th floor of the adjacent building while the west façade is completely concealed by the adjacent building. Part of the south façade abuts the neighboring building.

Building facades were inspected & evaluated to be containing UNSAFE conditions due to the absence of maintenance & repair work for an extended period of time.  A restoration program was immediately planned and brought in effect to secure the structural integrity of the building.  Specs along with construction drawings were prepared to address unique conditions.  Restoration & repair of existing elements were prime challenges as various construction configurations were uncustomary in the building structure.  Construction Management & Special Inspections services were also provided in the course of project execution.  Multiple construction crews working simultaneously at the different portions of building were supervised & managed for a timely delivery of the overall project. Hand-to-hand work was performed during the fabrication process of ornamental terra-cotta cornice due to the nature of complexity of the element.  Front façade of building has Juliet windows with terra-cotta balconette and ornamental posts/ arches.  Juliet window’s structure developed cracks due to water infiltration in the adjoining components.  A new system of restoration was introduced and undertaken involving a strap & bolt method.  All facades of building including courtyard & shafts were delivered to the owner with a SAFE classification of NYC DOB.