leep designs

575 Broadway 

New York, New York

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575 Broadway made a splash early in 1881, when it was declared that John Jacob Astor would build a six-story building with “tin roofs and iron cornices” and would have “steam heaters.”  The projected cost was $350,000. Construction began on March 28, 1881 and was completed a year later, almost to the day, on March 29th. The building’s exciting architectural history continued and includes being remodeled by Arata Isozaki as the Guggenheim Soho museum in 1996 and Prada commission of Dutch architect Remment Lucal Koolhaas to renovate the space into what the AIA Guide to New York City calls “a whimsical wonderland.” 

In spring of 2015, the building embarked on a full facade restoration project and replacement of a 20,000 square foot roof.  The project included restoration of the building’s ornate facades, as well as wood window  refurbishment, cast iron store front repainting and the restoration of the sidewalk vault lights and sidewalk repairs. All three street facades were cleaned to exposed the contrast of the bold red brick with the creamy decorative limestone. Decorative and structural limestone replacement took place throughout the three street facades. Rosettes and florettes were  restored at the building’s lower floor decorative stone. Parapet and chimney reconstruction took place at the secondary north facade. Decorative cast iron columns at the fourth and fifth floors were secured and replaced where missing. The sheet metal cornice was striped bare, elements replaced and the newly restored cornice was painted. The project included a full roof replacement, including the cladding and roofing of all bulkhead structures, as well as extensive restoration of seven historic skylights.