Location
837 Washington Street
Completion
2014
Client
Taconic Investment Partners
Square Footage
52,000 SF
Architect
Morris Adjmi Architects
LEED
Silver
837 Washington Street
Sciame was the Construction Manager responsible for the new six-story construction atop a two-story market building located in the Meatpacking District. The project preserved elements of the existing building, which was originally constructed in 1938, by incorporating an innovative torqued design that complemented the nearby buildings that include both the High Line and the Standard Hotel.
With this project falling under the jurisdiction of the Landmarks Preservation Committee, the project included the maintenance and restoration of the existing facades along both Washington Street and 13th Street. Inboard of the restored facade, the new structure included a new foundation and a steel “exo-skeleton” that rotates in two directions and sits outboard of the new building facade.
Awarded LEED Silver, the project includes exterior terraces and an energy recovery unit. The interior spaces provide future tenants with maximum flexibility for their fit out options. New core spaces include MEP systems, elevators and bathrooms. A high-end lobby space will be constructed off of 13th street and several apertures in the storefront will allow the possibility of multiple retail tenants.
Project Awards
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) New York
Engineering Excellence Gold Award – Structural Systems
Society of American Registered Architects – New York Council (SARA NY)
Award of Merit
Thanks a Half-Billion! – At Sciame Construction, we proudly led the effort to reimagine the WTC Memorial and Museum, a project of national significance. Frank Sciame, our founder, was tasked with creating a design that honored the original vision while staying within a $500 million budget. Working closely with Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Pataki, and a team of 13 advisers, including notable figures like Jack Rudin and Robert Douglass, we developed cost-effective design options, ultimately reducing the budget from nearly $1 billion to $510 million. Our approach preserved key elements like the voids, waterfalls, and pools while optimizing infrastructure and resizing the museum. Sciame’s commitment to excellence ensured a memorial that balances beauty, dignity, and sustainability.
Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center – Though relatively small in size, the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center was a technically complex project successfully constructed and delivered by Sciame Construction. This groundbreaking laboratory made an outsized impact on global health. It was here that Dr. David Ho pioneered the development of the revolutionary “AIDS cocktail,” a combination therapy that transformed HIV from a fatal diagnosis into a manageable condition. His groundbreaking work earned him the title of TIME magazine’s Man of the Year, underscoring the center’s profound contribution to the fight against the AIDS epidemic.
The New Victory Theater – Originally built in 1900 as The Republic, the first performing arts venue on 42nd Street, the theater was transformed into The New Victory in 1995, becoming New York’s first theater for children and families. The renovation uncovered and restored original architectural elements, added a new lobby carved from the existing structure and bedrock, rebuilt the historic staircase, and created space for much-needed restrooms. A rear wing was added for backstage access, dressing rooms, workshops, and a loading dock, while new elevators and rooftop HVAC systems were integrated to meet modern needs of the historic theater.
We’re turning 50! As we count down to Sciame’s 50th anniversary on June 13th, we’re celebrating the moments that shaped us. For the next 50 days, we’ll be sharing one standout project a day in our “Countdown to 50”.
Thank you to our amazing clients, team, and friends! We wouldn’t be here without you.
