Integrating four buildings with different floor to floor heights, building heights, facades, fire ratings, vertical transportation systems, MEP infrastructure and structural systems – into one mixed use retail and commercial complex was as complicated a building renovation, facade restoration and facade redesign project gets.
Key to the design was optimization of retail space and flexible upper level commercial office space: for the 42nd Street building it was relocating two new elevators and egress stairs, and dropping floor slabs to align with the street; and for the 43rd Street buildings it meant a new building entrance further west, dropping floor slabs, relocating egress stairs, new and enlarged window openings and entirely new MEP infrastructure upgrades.