Design Republic was awarded this facade restoration, lobby renovation and rooftop terrace project based on our ideas of historical revitalization and modernization of their existing space. Our inspiration for the concept derived from celebrating and finding balance between the innate art deco intricacies of the building while using modern day materials and technologies to equalize the two elements. At the ground level, our goal was to elevate the building’s overall street presence with a new marquee, enlarged lobby entrance and new metal/glass retail storefront. At the lobby, the expanded lobby entrance now leads to a beautiful curved stone reception desk and artwork niche. Elements of the historical coffered ceiling are cleaned, sealed and restored with updated lighting. New curved light coves hug the edges of the existing ceiling bringing softness and brightness to the new space.

Thin brass inlays run from the floors up the walls opposite the existing brass elevators. The entire design works together to update the existing art deco space in the current time while paying homage to the decade in which it was originally built.

Due to the fact that the lobby is the only elevator entrance for all tenants of the building (other than the freight elevator), Design Republic was also contracted to create a temporary lobby space for tenants to enter while the main lobby was under construction. Our design was simple but the inclusion of the floor to height graphic of the proposed lobby rendering serves as a reminder to tenants of the exciting changes to come.

At the roof, we tackled ADA code and life safety issues to recreate the existing unused roofs to become usable roof terraces for amenity use by all tenants. This included two vertical lifts, two stairs and new door openings. We designed seating platforms and a faux lawn area for movie nights. The addition of the two roof terraces should help the owners gain a competitive edge of their property as compared to other buildings.