A classic, pre-war, Manhattan landmark building transformed to accommodate modern living
The Astor apartment complex, built in 1901 and expanded in 1914, occupies an entire city block on the West Side of Manhattan. An ambitious renovation by developer HFZ Capital Group and designer Pembrooke & Ives transformed The Astor from 199 apartments into 65 stylish, contemporary condominiums—while retaining much of the building’s illustrious gilded age charm.
Executing this transformation was no simple task for our mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineers. Antiquated heat, air conditioning, electricity, plumbing, fire and life safety systems were replaced with updated, modern day systems to best serve today’s lifestyle. Adding to the level of complexity for the project was the demands presented by working in a landmark building and the necessity of working around existing rent-stabilized apartments. For example, the new HVAC system required careful positioning to preserve sight lines for both those inside and outside the building. To top it off, new plumbing and electricity had to be installed without going through existing tenants’ units. Fire and life safety systems had to work around many of these details as well.
The result of the renovation? A decidedly contemporary residential environment in a classic setting.
Bruce Cohen, Principal, Information & Communication Technology, Buildings
Whether designing for transit stations, or a mixed-use hotel, I’m committed to providing clients with technology-rich environments.
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