Location
22 East 91st Street
Completion
2024
Client
The Spence School
Square Footage
19,000 SF
Architect
Ennead Architects
The Spence School
Sciame was the Construction Manager responsible for the renovation and upgrades of The Spence School, an esteemed all-girls K-12 institution located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
The renovation focused on the Middle and Lower School building by optimizing the functionality of the first-floor office space to accommodate various departments, including development, communication, counseling, nursing, and security. The objective was to maximize space and centralize all maintenance support staff for enhanced efficiency. Critical upgrades such as cellar air conditioning, stormwater containment, and waterproofing measures were integral components of the renovation. Furthermore, modifications to the main kitchen and storage facilities, particularly in the bleachers and the townhouse restroom, were made to accommodate the school’s storage needs. Additional enhancements included replacing cabinets in the Lower School’s art room, enhancing security measures in the athletic center, and implementing waterproofing solutions for the athletic facilities.
All construction activities were carefully planned and executed within an occupied building, as The Spence School remained fully operational, including the continuation of their summer programs.
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.
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.
