Location: Hudson Street Between Franklin and Leonard Streets, New York, NY
Landmark Status: Tribeca West Historic District
Original Architect: Alexander Baylies
Date of Construction: 1910
Date of Restoration: 2019-2021
Scope of Work: Terra Cotta Repair & Restoration, Balustrade Reconstruction, Wood Window Restoration, Cast Iron Restoration
Designed by architect Alexander Baylies and completed in 1910, 100 Hudson Street is a ten-story Neo- Renaissance style loft building located on a triangular lot with frontages along Franklin, Hudson and Leonard Streets. The building is composed of two-story granite and limestone piers with ornamental cast iron storefront infill, transitioning to tan brick façades with rich terra cotta detailing, capped by an elaborate copper cornice. This classic loft building is a well- managed boutique co-op nestled in Tribeca West Historic District.
The project was borne from the need to address worsening conditions at terra cotta elements resulting from rusting embedded steel, freeze-thaw of back-up masonry cell infill, and expansion of small iron inclusions in the original clay body of the terra cotta. Restorative efforts included the reconstruction of all 9th floor terra cotta balustrades and the in-kind replacement of all 647 individual terra cotta units comprising the balustrade assemblies. Work also included the reconstruction of terra cotta masonry corners and flat arch assemblies resulting in an additional 242 replacement terra cotta units interspersed with salvaged and restored units.
Numerous additional terra cotta units were repaired in-situ with stainless steel pins, crack micro-injection grouting and/or restoration mortar patching at a combined 1,341 locations.
In addition, all 312 street façade wood windows were restored, returning the finish color of the windows to their original color as determined by paint chromocronology analysis. Select portions of the ornamental cast iron storefronts were removed, painted and reset to improve drainage and extend the longevity of the material.
The result is a façade restoration effort which marries the traditional craft of early 20th century architectural terra cotta, cast iron and wood fenestration with 21st century solutions for their repair, salvage and reconstruction. The project exhibits the shareholders’ commitment to maintaining the integrity of Baylies’ design, which continues to contribute to the built environment of the Tribeca West Historic District.