Guardian Life Insurance Building
All Work | Guardian Life Insurance Building, New York, NY
Guardian Life Insurance Building
New York, New York
Scope
Originally the “Germania Insurance” building when constructed in 1910, the Guardian Life Insurance Building, now a W hotel, with its four-story terra-cotta and ornamental copper clad roof, commands a prominent site at the northeast corner of Union Square in Manhattan. The landmarked building’s roof was leaking and had reached the end of its performance life. JHPA, Inc. documented and conducted extensive analyses and tests to determine how the roof would be replaced with historically appropriate materials.
JHPA, Inc. coordinated the technical aspects of scaffolding the entire roof area in order to inspect and document roof conditions, then JHPArchitects, PC designed new roof details and selected appropriate new roof materials. New substrate materials were applied to ensure a weather-proof envelope. The unique and elaborate ornamental copper elements were replaced in-kind by artisans with carefully produced replicas. Our firm also directed the project through the complexities of municipal approvals and the construction process.
The project was awarded the prestigious Lucy G. Moses award for architectural excellence by The New York Landmarks Conservancy.