Levien & Company wins award for restoration project

Real Estate Weekly, Oct 31, 2001

Levien & Company, project manager for the massive and complex Central Synagogue restoration in Manhattan, has won the Best of 2001 Annual Award from F.W. Dodge New York Construction News, announces Kenneth Levien, AIA, the firm's president.

The award is given to those who work on an extraordinarily complex construction assignment. Levien & Co. shares this award with architect Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates, DPK&A Restoration Architects, LZA Technology, engineers for the project, and construction manager F.J. Sciame & Co.

"We are pleased to have been a part of the tremendous effort in bringing this landmark back to its loyal congregation," says Alexandra Notaras, project manager for Levien & Co.

Central Synagogue's restoration, after fire nearly destroyed the structure in 1998, was challenging from day one. Fire had consumed the roof that collapsed, while water from the firefighting efforts caused additional building damage. The reconstruction project comprised recreating the building's interior as it had been, including the original elaborate stencil work.

Levien & Co. managed the complex design, construction, budget and scheduling issues and kept the project on time for its two and a half year completion date.

Founded in 1992 by Kenneth Levien, AIA, Levien & Co. provides a comprehensive range of project management, consulting and advisory services to real estate owners, investors, lenders and tenants. Services include directing pre-construction and construction activities on behalf of their clients, as well as, directing and coordinating the work of architects, engineers, interior designers, specialty consultants and general contractors/construction managers. Levien & Co. ensures that any project -- no matter how complex - moves forward on schedule, within budget and with the highest quality achievable.

Levien & Co. has worked on a broad range of commercial and residential assignments including interiors, multiple-location and multi-building phased programs, historic landmark restorations and new technology. Current project management assignments include: the new "Glasshouses for the Living Collections" at The New York Botanical Garden, Columbia University Lab School and Faculty Housing; the conversion of the 250,000-square-foot office/warehouse building at 65 West 13th Street to apartments (now known as the Greenwich), the St. James' Church renovation, the Harvard Club restoration and expansion, and restacking corporate interiors for Avon and Amerada Hess. In addition to the Columbia University Lab School, the firm is managing expansions of the Marymount School and Packer Collegiate in Brooklyn.