Cooper Square Realty finishes retail space at 27 East 62nd St.

Most people familiar with Manhattan would not be surprised to hear that 27 East 62nd St., a landmark 10-story apartment building built in 1912 is a prime piece of real estate located in one of the world's most prestigious neighborhoods. Nor would anyone be surprised to learn that the building's owner wanted to enhance the property's value and capitalize on the building's greatest asset--its unique location on East 62nd St., between Madison and Park Avenue. On the cusp of upper-midtown Manhattan, the property boasts both day and evening traffic--an enviable spot for any upscale retailer. The problem was that the building did not have retail space. It needed to be created.

Enter Cooper Square Realty, considered one of the premier real estate and property management firms in New York City. Bringing to bear its considerable expertise and talent in construction management, Cooper Square embarked on the complex task of designing and constructing new retail space in a building whose original footprint did not include any. This, combined with the fact that 27 East 62nd St. is a fully occupied residential building, created an involved and challenging job.

The Cooper Square construction management team, led by vice president Tal Eyal, turned vision into reality through a careful process that included collaboration on development of architectural and engineering specifications, negotiating construction contracts, and addressing complicated tenant issues. During the project itself, which began in July 2001, Eyal and his team provided tight coordination and supervision of the various functions of the job including the architect, engineer and a myriad of contractors. Weekly construction meetings held on site with the designers, contractors and owner, were key in keeping the project on track, on schedule and on budget.

As construction projects go, this one was anything but simple and straightforward. Architect Dan Montroy of Montroy Anderson created a daring design that allowed for 8,250 SF of prime retail space and a private outdoor terrace. The building would expand into the three existing courtyards thereby gaining space through two stories. By excavating the basement and courtyards, retail space was created with full ceiling height on the lower level. Three ground floor apartments were combined to make a larger retail space on the building's first floor. The design also incorporated three 30-foot high atriums capped with skylights. Several walls were removed and ceiling heights were raised to add height and an open feel. Exposed brick walls and a sweeping stainless steel staircase add to the dramatic effect of the astonishingly open two-story space flooded with natural light.

There are many obstacles to be met in any construction project. The renovation of 27 East 62nd was no exception and the Cooper Square construction management team's trademark attention to detail was put to the test. Work was performed in a narrow lot surrounded by upscale retail and corporate neighbors. Zoning regulations and limits lurked around every corner. Mazes of piping had to be removed and relocated, and there were also the inherent headaches of doing any construction on a building in a historic district. It is almost impossible, however, to imagine digging down three feet into an existing basement, moving and removing load bearing walls and adding 40 feet of structural underpinning--all done in a fully occupied residential building. And all construction had to be done without interrupting the service provided by the building's one elevator.

David Kuperberg, president of Cooper Square, and a civil engineer himself, commented: "All the blood, sweat and tears that the entire team put into this project was worth it. The owner's challenge was met, and the result has exceeded everyone's expectations. We have a beautiful, exciting space, and without commencing a marketing campaign, we have interested prospective tenants." Indeed, the project's stunningly successful result is a testament to what can be achieved through innovative design combined with exceptional construction management. Most people familiar with Manhattan real estate would not surprised to hear that Cooper Square Realty is once again responsible for a job well done.