Historic preservation topic of next B'nai B'rith lunch.

Richard S. Berry, Managing Member of Zuberry Associates, L.L.C., will speak at the B'nai B'rith Real Estate Unit luncheon on Wednesday, November 5, 12:00 noon at the Cornell Club, 6 East 44th Street. His topic will be "New Approaches to Historic Preservation at South Street Seaport."

"Richard Berry has been a leader in preserving historic New York for hearty 30 years," said Harry Zlokower, Co-chair of the B'nai B'rith Real Estate Unit. "His firm's new Front Street project will add wonderful vibrancy to the South Street Seaport while keeping the district's great 19th century heritage intact."

Richard Berry, an attorney, founded Zuberry Associates in 1974 with F. Anthony Zunio, an architect. From the beginning, they focused on the conversion of old buildings to new uses in New York City.

Most of their early ventures were loft conversions of the old style, where large open spaces were sold to buyers who then did their own work.

Later, more finished pieces were created although the partners still favored the raw loft as the most creative process.

From the early 1980s, Zuberry began to convert old manufacturing buildings to commercial uses in Soho, Chelsea and West Midtown. Again, most of the spaces were simple, open spaces that would attract those who preferred to make their own personal statement.

Recently Zuberry joined with Sciame Development to purchase a stretch of Front Street in the South Street Seaport Historic District.

They plan to rehabilitate 11 historic buildings on Front Street and Peck Slip and construct three new buildings, creating 96 rental apartments, 18,750 square feet of small-scale retail space and a 3,500-square foot maritime center.

This new venture is the largest and most complex preservation project Zuberry has attempted.

Expected for completion in spring of 2005, the project, known as "Historic Front Street," will include significant "green design," and intersperse elements of modern architecture within an historic district.

The project will be built below allowable FAR and will create an active street life of stores and residents.

Call Ms. Aracelis Kuilan at [phone] to secure your reservation for the November 5 B'nai B'rith Real Estate luncheon. You can also fax Ms. Kuilan at [phone], e-mail [e-mail]. Admission for members is $55 in advance and $65 at the door. Non-members' admission is $65.