Honorable Mention: American Architecture Awards 2023
East Houston | New York - New York | 2022 

Architects: Roger Ferris + Partners
General Contractor: CM& Associates Construction Management LLC
Client: East End Capital
Photographers: Chris Cooper

This ground-up, nine-story retail and office building on the Lower East Side in Manhattan situates itself between two existing residential buildings in a developing neighborhood filled with energy and youth. The form scales itself to the surrounding context and provides spectacular views of the nearby park from the upper floors. A void between the existing building to the west and the new development offers clarity of form as well as a certain refuge for tenants from the hustle and bustle of the New York streets.

The building intentionally recedes from all its neighbors to maximize the amount of glass and sunlight for the office occupants. Floor to ceiling glass and an open floor plan on all levels provides maximum flexibility and openness. A restaurant located on the first floor can spill out with café tables and enjoy this private courtyard. The form steps back at the sixth story marking a common datum of the surrounding buildings while offering a garden terrace for the office tenants.

A roof top terrace occupies the top floor allowing occupants to enjoy views of the New York skyline. Clad in darkened zinc, the building offers a familiar language of the neighborhood. A red lacquer aluminum clad threshold emphasizes the entrance to the courtyard beyond. The green courtyard is held by a substantial frame of 18” x 18” zinc clad columns which continue up six stories and return to the building framing the sky.