Staten Island Borough Hall to be renovated

Real Estate Weekly, June 26, 2002

Construction has started on a project to restore the New York City landmark building, Staten Island Borough Hall. Initiated by the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services with Vollmer Associates as the designer, this two-phase project consists of complete restoration of the exterior fabric of the building and new exterior lighting to illuminate the restored facade. The general contractor for the project is NSP Enterprises, Inc.

Staten Island Borough Hall was designed in 1904-1906 by Carrere and Hastings, in thearchitectural style reminiscent of an early 17th century French Chateau, with mansard roof and an axial clock tower. Carrere and Hastings were architects of many of the city's major civic buildings, including the New York City Public Library at 42nd Street and Bryant Park.

Under Phase I of the project, new exterior lighting will highlight the major fenestration, dormers, clock tower, and selected elements of the newly restored facade. The lighting system comprises in-ground, ground-mounted, and low pole-mounted metal halide floodlights to illuminate walls below the mansard roof, as well as high pole-mounted metal halide floodlights to illuminate the roof and dormers.

Phase II construction consists of replacement of all aluminum windows with wood windows displaying the original profiles and mullion configuration. Also included is re-pointing, cleaning, and repair of all limestone and brick masonry repair and selective replacement of gutters, flashing, slate, and copper on the distinctive mansard, dormers, and roof.

Landscaping improvements will be made to the front plaza where the existing concrete pavement will be replaced by blue stone pavement. The existing ramp located outside the main entrance will be rebuilt to be code compliant and restructured to provide more space for outdoor seating. The entire project is expected to be completed by the spring of 2003 at an estimated cost of $3 million.