$18M design phase of Queens project completed

Real Estate Weekly, July 9, 2003

Kouzmanoff Bainton Architects has completed the final design phase of an $18 million, multi-phased renovation of Queens Borough Hall. The design required elaborate attention to construction phasing since the building remains in service while the renovations are taking place. The contracting agency for the project was the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS).

The primary goal of renovating the 191,000-SF, 5-story 62-year old building was to relocate several city agencies presently renting private office space. When the six-year, multi-phase renovation job is completed in the winter of 2004, almost half of the building will have been renovated and occupied by various city agencies, including the Department of Buildings, the Queens District Attorney, the City Planning Commission and the Departments of Transportation, Environmental Protection and Housing Preservation and Development.

"The renovation of Queens Borough Hall consists of three separate, but interrelated tasks," explains Jan Kouzmanoff. "The primary task is the provision of new office space for the various agencies. The second task provides the mechanical and electrical systems upgrades necessary for the re-occupation of the building. The third task, and a main focus of the -final construction phase, is the renovation of existing public spaces."

The primary phase of this multi phase project was the renovation of 63,000 SF of new office space to serve the Queens Department of Buildings and related agencies.. The building's 140-foot long corridors suggested the creation of a unique design by Kouzmanoff Bainton Architects that provides continuous transom windows along one side to bring light into the public halls. Gracious alcoves serving as Waiting rooms also helped modulate and visually organize the long corridors on both floors. "The goal of the design was to create spaces that were orderly and practical- while. remaining comfortable for employees and the public," added Ken Bainton.