Advantage Testing, a national tutoring firm, is consolidating its New York administrative offices and tutoring locations into a single commercial property. The scope of work is extensive, providing all new MEP infrastructure, extensive mechanical upgrades for COVID-19 protection, new elevator and highly designed internal stairwells, new windows and expansion of the 2nd floor by enclosing a rear terrace area to create additional operational space. In order to occupy the property as a for-profit firm, a City Planning Commission 74-711 special use permit application was developed, submitted and approved for this initiative.

In conjunction with the Advantage Testing renovation above, the 74-711 approval from the City Planning Commission mandated the concurrent facade and roof restoration of the Church of the Holy Trinity’s rectory building immediately adjacent to 350 East 88th Street. The drawings were developed and filed with The Landmarks Preservation Commission and NYCDOB. Ongoing work, including approvals for terra cotta replacement elements, brick relocations/replacements, mortar joint materials, roofing and copper gutters are monitored by LPC staff and the preservation architect as the restoration work progresses.

This non-profit landmark property requires the replacement of a major exterior architectural element - a 280sf skylight that illuminates the entire five-floor stairwell throughout the building. In conjunction with this retrofit, the Foundation is upgrading its HVAC system and equipment to address their current COVID-19 mitigation strategy before reoccupancy. Both rooftop equipment and basement equipment will be upsized to increase fresh air and air exchange, and local air purification units will be distributed to clean interior air distribution.

The Co-op Board at 49 East 12th Street retained Project Control Group to manage a building-wide retrofit of all windows while planning and implementing a strategic renovation of the building lobby and open air entrance. The order and installation of all window replacements were coordinated with each shareholder to accommodate schedules and access. Concurrently, the lobby plans were prepared and updated during initial demolition phase to address air and cold infiltration issues ahead of final construction implementation. A Tenant Protection Plan was also developed and filed at NYCDOB to maintain safe egress throughout the project while allowing for the phased construction.