Demolition is wrapping up at 16 East 16th Street, where a historic six-story structure is being converted into a nine-story hotel in Union Square. Designed by BKSK Architects and developed by Trevor Stahelski under the Gramercy Park House LLC, the project involves the preservation of the façade of the 1891 building, which originally served as the Margaret Louisa Home, a boarding house for women, and later as a health club. MJM Associates Construction is the general contractor for the property, which is located between Union Square West and Fifth Avenue.
Recent photos show the entire superstructure behind the protected outer wall razed to street level. New foundations could get underway later this summer.
16 East 16th Street. Photo by Michael Young
16 East 16th Street. Photo by Michael Young
16 East 16th Street. Photo by Michael Young
16 East 16th Street. Photo by Michael Young
Three additional floors are expected to be placed atop the original roof parapet, bringing the total square footage to 82,761 with 88 guest rooms housed on floors three through eight. The property will also feature a ground-floor restaurant, a skylight lounge, and two below-grade levels with a wine cellar, a spa with multiple treatment rooms including steam and sauna rooms, a fitness center, staff lockers, and building mechanical equipment. Further amenities will be located on the second floor, including a large outdoor terrace. At the very top are terraces facing both West 15th and West 16th Streets. The closest subways are the 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, and W trains beneath Union Square to the east.
Below are renderings showing the thoughtful integration of the old stone façade with the new construction.
Rendering of 16 East 16th Street – BKSK Architects
From left to right – historic ground floor view, existing ground floor, previously proposed ground floor restoration, and currently proposed ground floor restoration by BKSK Architects
Illustration of roof-level massing from street level with the original proposed conditions (left) and newly proposed massing (right) by BKSK architects
Original proposed conditions (left) and newly proposed design for the gable roof (right) by BKSK Architects
16 East 16th Street is slated for completion in the fall of 2023, as noted on the construction board.
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Moving in a nice direction.
This is a rooftop addition that is historically derived and appropriate to the building.
Nice addition to the cityscape.
WOW. If the renderings are to be believed, this will be a fantastic restoration of a gorgeous façade.
The facade is going to be amazing. I just hope the interior of the hotel isn’t some sterile, Uber-contemporary mass of nothingness.
It is certainly nice to see the street level de-modernized. Too many buildings in NYC were disfigured in this way. The gable design is appropriate, but what is it made of? The renderings give the impression of Legos.
Glad they are restoring the street level that was destroyed.