173 West Broadway: TriBeCa TownLofts, NYC
how to transform a building with one gesture: the ultimate luxury is a room with a view
Location: 173 W Broadway, aka 33 Worth Street, Tribeca, NYC, Completion: 2022 Size: 6,000 SF Type: Two-family mixed use Loft Building
TRA studio’s Assistance: Architectural Design + Documentation, Interior design, FFE, Lighting, Development Strategy, Owner’s Representation, Project Management, Agencies’ Filing
173 West Broadway
The complete restoration is completed by the insertion of the corner oriel window, which expands the small floor plate, offering also the branding of the project.
Rendering of 173 West Broadway, aka 33 Worth Street, and 35 Worth Street, currently under renovation, also by TRA studio
Location: 173 W Broadway, Tribeca, NYC Size: 6,000 SF Certificate of Occupancy: 2022
Type: Two-family mixed use building, Adaptive Reuse, Interiors
Architect Led Design-Build Process
THE CONVERSION OF THE SMALLEST LOFT BUILDING IN TRIBECA
This diminutive structure, originally a manufacturing loft building, dating from the 1890s but not landmarked, is the smallest the studio has been working on over the many completed renovation projects in SoHo and Tribeca.
The renovation and conversion to mixed use of this small manufacturing loft building located in Tribeca has finally been completed. The exterior renovation could not completed until now, because of the fact that the City has been working for a few years on upgrading the utilities, which run under Worth Street, for the entire districts,limiting the access to the first floor.
THE PROGRAM
This diminutive structure, originally a manufacturing loft building, dating from the 1890s but not landmarked, is the smallest the studio has been working on over the many completed renovation projects in SoHo and Tribeca. We had actually considered purchasing the property ourselves, so we fully understood the potential and promoted it to our friends, until a wealthy Filipino purchased it on a whim. The brief was to transform the modest manufacturing building into a comfortable townhouse, still maintaining the characteristics that make lofts desirable. The program entailed retail on the two lower floors, one duplex apartment and what was supposed to become, at the time, his private residence with roof access for his growing family.
The apartments layout, tightly woven within the confined volume, respects and enhances the spatial qualities that make lofts so desirable, such as tall ceilings, open flowing spaces and large expanses of glass, while creating the comfort and the desired separation of living versus sleeping spaces, typical of the New York Village Townhouses.
The interior finishes also marry the minimal aesthetic of the old manufacturing building with the interior warmth expected in a townhouse: exposed brick, walnut flooring, mahogany windows, aluminum, marble and lacquered millwork,are brought together with clean, rigorous details.
UNLOCKING THE ULTIMATE LUXURY: A ROOM WITH A VIEW
The striking corner atelier oriel, which, taking full advantage of the fact that the structure is not landmarked, recognizes that a view is the ultimate New York luxury, giving character and presence to the corner building and adding balance to the somewhat odd, “ too tall “, original proportions of the facades. The single gesture completely transformed the modest building into a striking presence on West Broadway.
The dramatically angled oriel window looks at and frames the Freedom Tower, augmenting the interior with the surprise of an additional pavilion of a sort, at once secluded and connected to the City, blurring the distinction between interior and exterior.
The location informed the design which, in turn, talks about the location.
THE INTERIORS
As true of all of TRA’s projects, the studio designed all of the interiors, including the millwork, with the trademark timeless aesthetic. The furniture iis all mid-modern vintage, including the two custom armchairs, designed in 1968, by the Italian noted architects Nani Vallle and Giorgio Bellavitis.
SUSTAINABILTY PRACTICES:
Restoring and reusing are always two of the most powerful sustainability tools we have available. The gut renovation, as in all of TRA's projects incorporates passive house detailing, the Design-Build allows us to maintain full control of the detailing and methods, ensuring that sustainability practices are followed at all scales. The glass wall assembly incorporates sustainable passive house tools, such as air tight enclosure and thermal bridge free construction; large windows, screened by film improve comfort, offering rare natural cross ventilation. The south facing oriel windows, which is screened by the large cornice, allows for the sunlight to penetrate deeply into the building in the winter. Attention to acoustics, Climate control VRF and Zoned Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems contribute to shape an environment that promotes mental wellness. Resilient, low maintenance recyclable, economical materials such as composite aluminum panels, (sparingly used for the façade architectural elements) and porcelain tiles have been responsibly sourced.
THE CATALYTIC URBAN EFFECT: THE WORTH STREET PROJECTS AND THE MAKING OF THE STREET
As it happened frequently in the past, following the success of one project, TRA studio has been hired to work on the gut renovation of another nearby building, 35 Worth Street, with similar characteristics. The completely redesigned façade can be seen in the Worth Street rendering.
Worth Street , which is now a Street populated by buildings of different period, style and quality, will regain its significance in the Tribeca District.
Links:
Home Stratosphere: Tribeca Lofts
173 West Broadway, a stunning loft-townhouse hybrid located in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood, has been recently completed by TRA Studio.
This diminutive structure, originally a manufacturing loft building dating from the 1890s, offers retail on the first floor and two duplex rental residences with three full bedrooms on the upper floors. The interior design pays homage to the minimal aesthetic of the old manufacturing building with modern amenities such as exposed brick, walnut flooring, mahogany windows, aluminum, marble, and lacquered millwork. The corner atelier oriel also provides a stunning view of the Freedom Tower, adding an extra layer of luxury to this already remarkable property.
With its contemporary design and prime location, 173 West Broadway is a true gem in the heart of New York City.
