As climate change becomes an ever-larger factor in construction and architecture, both commercial and residential developers are looking towards adaptive re-use to reduce embodied carbon and bring new life to older buildings in New York City.

The best of these redevelopments includes thoughtful architectural details that tie the future of NYC to its history, with respectful updates that simultaneously modernize the structures and call back to their original designs.

Stunning modern interpretations of classic details can be found in both commercial and residential projects currently underway in New York, including:

295 Fifth Avenue

Known as the ‘Textile Building,’ 295 Fifth Avenue is 700,000 square feet and over 100 years old. Originally built in 1920 by notable builder George Backer, 295 Fifth Avenue was previously home to NYC textile tenants and at that time was considered the finest structure on Fifth Avenue. Today, it is being redeveloped by Tribeca Investment Group to create the ideal workplace for the modern-day employee. In addition to making the necessary infrastructure upgrades, STUDIOS Architecture designed a two-story, 34,000-square-foot penthouse addition to sit atop the building. Inspired by the original neoclassical style, the addition reflects the ground floor archways with similarly graceful arches, reimagined in a custom metal finish that brings a modern minimalism to a classic shape.

555 Greenwich + 345 Hudson

The recently topped out 555 Greenwich is a 270,000-square-foot, 16-story office tower which will seamlessly align and combine with 345 Hudson to form a singular full-block building in a one-of-a-kind horizontal overbuild. 555 Greenwich is located in the heart of the burgeoning Hudson Square neighborhood, which is becoming a premier destination for thought leaders like Google and Disney to put down roots. Designed by COOKFOX Architects, 555 Greenwich will include retail at the ground floor and office space above. The façade will feature numerous setbacks with 11 outdoor terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows.In order to serve as a quiet completion of the existing 345 Hudson, 555 Greenwich features a masonry grid identical to that of 345 where the two buildings meet, which opens up gradually with larger windows as it transitions toward the Hudson River. The upper portion of 555 Greenwich features a considerably more modern design with more glass, which allows the building to transition visually from the past into the future.

is a 270,000-square-foot, 16-story office tower which will seamlessly align and combine with 345 Hudson to form a singular full-block building, creating 87,000-square-foot floor plates in a one-of-a-kind horizontal overbuild. 555 Greenwich+345 Hudson is located in the heart of the burgeoning Hudson Square neighborhood, which is becoming a premier destination for thought leaders like Google and Disney to put down roots. Designed by COOKFOX Architects, 555 Greenwich will include retail at the ground floor and office space above. The façade will feature numerous setbacks with 11 outdoor terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows.

In order to serve as a quiet completion of the existing 345 Hudson, 555 Greenwich features a masonry grid identical to that of 345 where the two buildings meet, which opens up gradually with larger windows as it transitions toward the Hudson River. The upper portion of 555 Greenwich features a considerably more modern design with more glass, which allows the building to transition visually from the past into the future.

Claremont Hall

Claremont Hall is a transformative new 41-story, mixed-use condominium building situated within the campus of Union Theological Seminary (UTS), a globally respected 180-year-old center of theological education. The building and residences are designed by iconic New York architecture firm Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA), with public spaces and amenity spaces by CetraRuddy. The Collegiate Gothic architectural style of the new tower takes cues from the Gothic Revival character of the 100-year-old UTS campus, with a more literal use of stonework at the base that seamlessly connects the entry facade with the surrounding historic campus buildings. A painterly mix of contrasting bricks and custom precast panels on the exterior allows Claremont Hall to seamlessly integrate with the visual texture of its surroundings. The former refectory for seminary students and faculty has also been adaptively reused as a stunning indoor pool with soaring Gothic ceilings, original chandeliers and ceiling beams.