There’s a new building in New York City’s Financial District that’s taking design cues from magnificent buildings of the past. The 11-story structure, located on 19th Street, houses a number of high-end condominiums, and features a granite base and banding of terra cotta at each floor to accent its curtain wall architecture.
The building was constructed by J Companies, a private developer, and began receiving new residents in the spring of 2008.
The project involved:
- Installation of traditional scaffolding to the second story of the building
- Installation of swing scaffolding to reach higher elevations
- Installation of all of the exterior granite and terra cotta
- Installation of planter walls in the lobby and planters outside the building
- Construction of concrete block partitions in the basement
- Installation of concrete block backup for stonework and terra cotta on the first floor
Project Details
Name: 19th Street Condominium
Completion Date: 2008
Owner: J Companies
General Contractor: Graciano Corporation
Project Included
Glossary Terms
Tuck PointingTuck pointing entails removing loose or cracked mortar from brickwork or stone installations and replacing its new mortar to ensure structural integrity and to seal out damaging water and moisture. Mortar for tuck pointing must be carefully selected to ensure that its color and texture of the new mortar closely matches the existing material that was not compromised and did not need to be removed.
ShotcreteShotcrete is a material that combines concrete with compressed air. The mixture is pumped through a hose at high pressure, and is then applied to the desired surface. The force of the air pressure consolidates the material on the surface. Shotcrete can be formulated in one of two ways. The wet method premixes the concrete with water before it is pumped through the high–pressure hose. The dry method involves sucking the dry materials into the application system, combining them with water within the hose, and then apply them to the final surface.
Masonry RestorationMasonry restoration involves the repair of existing masonry materials or the complete replacement of damaged materials with new or reclaimed bricks or stones. Color and texture matching are key considerations in masonry restoration, as an accurate match can make areas of restored stone or brick blend in seamlessly with existing materials. To achieve an accurate color and texture match, it is frequently necessary to return to the original brick manufacturer for replacements, or to the original stone quarry where material for the existing stone components was cut.
DemolitionDemolition entails the removal of damaged or undesired concrete. It is most frequently accomplished with a jackhammer or another piece of pneumatic equipment.
CaulkingCaulking is used to seal gaps between masonry surfaces, such as brick or stone, and other architectural elements, including window and door frames, decorative hardware or lighting fixtures. Caulking is most often applied with a gun, and is available in butyl, latex or customized formulations. The color of caulk is selected to match the surfaces surrounding the application site. When applied, the caulking gun is inserted in the gap to be filled. Caulking material is then injected into the void to seal the opening.