Seaboard's rehab work at West St. landmark earns award.

The restoration team for the landmark 90 West Street building in New York City has been named recipient of the Preservation League of New York State's Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation for its reconstruction work at 90 West Street in New York City. Seaboard Weatherproofing and Restoration and other team members were formally recognized at its Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 18, at the Princeton Club of New York.

The Gothic landmark at 90 West Street, formerly known as the Coal & Iron Building, was designed by Cass Gilbert, who completed the building in 1907 and used it as a prototype for his taller and more famous Woolworth Building. The 24-story building's exterior sustained severe damage to its terra-cotta facade, granite base and mansard roof from falling debris in the collapse of the nearby World Trade Center.

Seaboard's reconstruction work included replacement of 7,000 terra cotta stones on the facade, rebuilding of the first three stories of the ornate granite wall facing Ground Zero, installation of decorative gargoyles and other figures, and replacement of the copper mansard roof and roof balustrade.

"Cass Gilbert designed this building to last. We are honored to have played an important role in bringing this lower Manhattan landmark back to its former glory," said Michael Y. Ahearn, President of Seaboard Weatherproofing and Restoration. "The Award for Excellence is recognition for the care and craftsmanship that we and each of the team members put into this historical restoration project." The 90 West Street restoration ranked number 14 on the New York Construction Magazine's list of Top 20 projects 2004-05.

Because it is a New York City Landmark, all work on 90 West Street was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which ensures that exterior restorations are historically accurate. Seaboard takes great care in creating a watertight and sound facade for the future while respecting the history of every stone being repaired.