Location
400 West 117th Street
Completion
2009
Client
Columbia University Dept. of Capital Project Management
Square Footage
38,000 SF
Architect
Bogdanow Partners Architects
LEED
Gold
Columbia University - Faculty House
Sciame was the Construction Manager responsible for the renovation of the Faculty House. A 1923 McKim Mead White building on Columbia University’s East Campus, could no longer support the school’s needs so Sciame transformed the historic 38,000 SF building into a modern faculty dining room, graduate student meeting center, and event space for visiting lecturers, large banquets, and alumni organizations. The interiors were gutted and the building’s façade, clay tile roof, terrazzo floors, ornamental marble stairs, and plaster moldings were restored. New windows that match the details of the period units were installed, as were three elevators, four commercial kitchens, audio-visual equipment, a modern data network, new restrooms, lighting, and HVAC system.
Buy Low, Build Tall – At Sciame Construction and Sciame Development, we took on one of our most ambitious concepts with the visionary 80 South Street Tower, designed in partnership with world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. This striking 835-foot-tall residential tower was imagined for the East River waterfront, just steps from the World Trade Center. The design featured twelve modular “Townhouses in the Sky”, each a 45-foot cube cantilevered from the tower’s slender vertical axis, offering residents a one-of-a-kind living experience with breathtaking views and expansive terrace gardens. At Sciame, we have always embraced the challenge of pushing the boundaries of design and construction in New York City.
What a night! A huge thank you to everyone who came out on Wednesday to represent Team Sciame at the 2025 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge in Central Park!
Despite the weather, the Sciame team showed up strong, lacing up and powering through the 3½-mile course!
We’re proud of the determination, camaraderie, and good humor everyone brought to a soggy evening in the park.
#jpmcc
New York Construction’s Contractor of the Year – Looking back, 2006 was a standout year for Sciame Construction. We were honored as Contractor of the Year, a testament to our growing reputation for delivering some of New York City’s most architecturally daring and culturally significant projects.
In April 2006, Sciame Construction completed the Morgan Library and Museum Expansion, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and BBB Architects. The project was led by then EVP/Division Head Joseph Mizzi, who began his career at Sciame 11 years earlier in 1995.
The following month, our founder, Frank Sciame, passed the torch of day-to-day leadership by promoting Joseph Mizzi to President of Sciame Construction, while continuing to serve as Chairman and CEO.
This leadership transition helped shape the next chapter of our story, and was memorialized in the cover photo of New York Construction, and the firm’s Contractor of the Year honor.
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.
