Doban Architecture » Mainstreets

New Rochelle Model Development Block

Susan Doban — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:36:09 +0000

New Rochelle Business Improvement District

This five building project, intended as a model for preservation and restoration of historic properties, has triggered economic development and sparked a new spirit of comunity participation in downtown New Rochelle.

Orchestrated by the New Rochelle Business Improvement District (the BID) with support from the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), this five building project has triggered economic development and a new spirit of community participation in downtown New Rochelle.The BID provided $250,00 in matching grants to the building owners and the CPC provided low interest finance options and reimbursement. Working for the BID, Doban Atchitecture developed renovation and restoration solutions that dramatically revealed the underlying historical richness of the five buildings chosen to take part in the Model Block. Subsequently, these transformed properties served as examples for the Facade Renovation Design Standards that were developed by Doban Architecture and used by the BID in a sister program adopted by the City of New Rochelle. Embolded by the project, owners of participating buildings have turned upper level spaces in residential lofts and commercial tenants have been drawn to long-vacant retail spaces. The ripple effect has led to the renovation of more than 40 storefronts, several small businesses and seven restaurants have opened within the neighborhood and 5,00 square feet of retail space has been leased, increasing day and evening street activity within the block.

New York State: Excellence in Historic Preservation Award 2007

download project pdf.

81 Centre Avenue Lobby

Susan Doban — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:41:13 +0000

Centre Main Equities

The naturalistic and historical motifs used for the lobby of 81 Centre are drawn from the building’s recently restored terracotta facade and embody the spirit of the emerging artist community in New Rochelle. Originally constructed in 1929, the building was one of five restored as part of our New Rochelle Model Development Block project, which received a Preservation League of New York State Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation. The owner’s goal was to transform the building into a permanent art installation and enclave for artist-tenants.Sustainable materials and practices were used, including the reuse of pre-existing mirror, floor tile, and wood trim in order to minimize environmental dust and the cost of demolition and replacement. In addition, bamboo plywood paneling was used to accent and frame the organic shapes of new vinyl artwork. Grain patterns, colors, and the natural oil finish of the bamboo compliment the brightly colored organic shapes of the new vinyl artwork which has been layered on top of the mirror. Bamboo plywood was also employed to create a unique address panel on the building’s exterior and for individual plaques that identify artist studios on the second and third floors.

download project pdf.

Redhook Stores

Susan Doban — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:33:28 +0000

Pier 41 Associates & Fairway Market

This civil war era warehouse on Brooklyn’s waterfront has been transformed into an environmentally conscious, mixed-use complex that juxtaposes the monumental character of the existing building with modern interventions.

The 40,900 sf building combines apartments, live-work space, artist studios and a two-story gourmet market all served by a new cogeneration facility located on the site which generates 90% of the buildings energy needs. Heavy timber joists were removed to create an intirior courtyard and then milled for reuse as wood paneling at the entrance to each aprtment. Recycled wood flooring is also used to be in character with the industrial esthetic. The typical residential units have been designed to leave columns and masonry walls exposed wherever possible, and to respect views of the harbor and industrial landscape of Redhook. Dune-like landscaping screens against winds from New York Harbor while mazimizing the view of the Statue of Liberty and creating a forecourt and drive in front of the residential entrance.

download project pdf.

573-9 Main Street

Susan Doban — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:49:10 +0000

New Rochelle Model Develpment Block

The intricate beauty of the ornamental terracotta parapet and spandrels of 573-9 Main Street, a participating building in the New Rochelle Model Block, was brought out by careful steam cleaning and repointing.

The restoration included steam cleaning, repointing and new windows, which brought out the building’s highly ornamental terracotta parapet and spandrels. The owner intends to replace signage and storefront awnings as part of a related program and to renovate the long vacant commercial upper floor.

A matching grant was provided by the New Rochelle BID and a low interest loan by the CPC. The Project was funded by the New York State Empire Development Corporation Main Streets Program and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.

Preservation Leaugue of New York State Excellence in Historic Preservation Award 2007

download project pdf.

The Curtain Shop

Susan Doban — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:04:28 +0000

New Rochelle Model Development Block

The Curtain Shop Building was dramatically restored to its classic beauty by removing the deterioration stucco that had concealed the building’s rich facade of buff brick and terracotta for over half a century.

A cracked stucco covering had concealed but protected the true beauty of the classical facade of buff brick and detailed terracotta at 541 Main Street, home to the Curtain Shop and General Store. The building has been transformed from an eyesore and hazard (due to delaminated stucco over a major pedestrian thoroughfare) into a beautiful turn-of-the century jewel along Main Street featuring two floors of arched windows.Wherever possible, a sustainable approach was taken, in that original materials were kept and preserved rather than replicated. The original terracotta medallions indicating the name and date of the building (“The arcade”, “1897″) are now visible, as well as pre-existing wood window frames on the third floor restored in place and reglazed. A matching grant was provided by the New Rochelle BID and a low interest loan by CPC. The project was funded by the New York State Empire Development Corporation Main Streets Program and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Preservation Leaugue of New York State Excellence in Historic Preservation Award 2007

download project pdf.

Talner Jewelers Building

Susan Doban — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:33:30 +0000

New Rochelle Model Develpment Block
The Talner Jewelers Building was dramatically restored to its classic beauty by removing the austere metal panels that had concealed the original brock and uniquely multicolored terracotta for over half a century.

White metal panels indicitive of the first half of the 20th centruries “urban renewal” had been concealing but also protecting the Talner Jewelers building’s classic facade. A sustainable approach to restoration was chosen where the existing capitals and brackets were relocated to frame the facade instead of using synthetic copies. Where bricks had been painted over on one side, the paint was removed revealing an attractive wire cut, buff colored brick, which was steam-cleaned and re-pointed. The original terracotta was also steam cleaned, patched, re-pointed, restored and coated. A new masonry coping stone that was neutral in appearance was also installed. In Cooperation with the owner’s ground floor jewelery store, special attention was paid not to interfere with business operation and maintain security during construction.

download project pdf.

The Trust Building

Susan Doban — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:37:41 +0000

New Rochelle Model Develpment Block

By removing the unsighlty canopy that was obscuring the original design, repairing the ornate brownstone detailing and steam cleaning and repointing the brick and granite facade, the Trust Building was restored to its original lustre.

542 Main Street, once the home of the New Rochelle Trust Company as well as occupied by a glass company at different times in its history is now a commercial office building. Historical photographs revealed that the large ornamental canopy which had been mounted above the door ealier in the century was not original to the building. Therefore, the canopy was eliminated revealing an ornamental stained glass window. The stained glass and brownstone freize were preserved and restored to reflect the buildings rich history. Finally, the brownstone dentils on the cornice were restore and the brick and granite facade was steam cleaned and repointed.

A matching grant was provided by the New Rochelle BID and a low interest loan by CPC. The project was funded by the New York State
Empire Development Corporation Main Streets Program and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Preservation Leaugue of New York State Excellence in Historic Preservation Award 2007

download project pdf.

Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

Susan Doban — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:16:22 +0000

25 Elm Place

The award-winning design of the Chamber offices takes advantage of the historic charm of the former downtown department store, preserving its open character, high ceilings and gilded columns.

The project involved converting a 500st retail space into offices for both the Chamber’s programs and the Mayor’s Office for Small Business Services.

download project pdf.