Location: East 65th and 66th Streets, Upper East Side, New York, NY
Landmark Status: Upper East Side Historic District
Original Architect: Thomas Harlan Ellett
Date of Construction: 1932
Date of Restoration: 1990-present
Scope of Work: Masonry Reconstruction & Painting, Stucco Restoration, Terrace & Roof Replacement, Door & Window Replacement, Mechanical & Elevator Improvements, Metalwork Restoration
Designed in 1931 as a well-appointed ladies club, the buildings at 122 East 66th Street and 129 East 65th Street had, by the 1990s, begun to deteriorate significantly. Following a comprehensive survey and analysis of both the building envelope and mechanical components, Walter B. Melvin Architects, LLC initiated a program of restoration that included new brick masonry parapets, corners and piers, complete exterior repainting, stucco restoration, roofing, and mechanical improvements.
Subsequent phases of work included the replacement of multiple terraces. The dining room terrace was completely restored in the original palette of dark granite and light marble, replacing an earlier terrazzo facsimile which had begun to deteriorate. During this project, three sets of large glass doors leading from the dining room to the terrace were produced, and associated lighting and electrical work upgraded. Off of the library, one quarry tile balcony and two quarry tile terraces were replaced. The lounge terrace was also replaced with bluestone pavers.
In 2009, WBMA developed a master plan for the restoration and replacement of all of the windows and exterior doors at the Club. This work is on-going, as the Club has decided to phase the fenestration work.
In 2012, WBMA specified the restoration of the metalwork at the East 66th Street façade, including the trellis and guardrails at the balconettes, and the window guards at the lower levels. These pieces were stripped, repaired and repainted on-site under the direction of WBMA. Over the past several years, the members of the Cosmopolitan Club have made a concerted effort to restore their buildings to a state of excellence through careful planning and a commitment to the highest quality of restoration.
Photo credit: Dave Anderson
Principal Martin has worked in the architecture and construction industry for over 30 years, including 26 years at WBMA specializing in the assessment and repair of exterior envelopes. He has overseen several award-winning restoration projects including St. Paul’s Chapel – Columbia University, 451 Broome Street, Liberty Tower and Alwyn Court, as well as restoration projects at Louis Sullivan’s Bayard-Condict Building, the Cosmopolitan Club, several City parks and residential cooperatives. Martin is well versed in the myriad building materials that have been used in the northeast and has extensive experience assessing and restoring a variety of masonry and roofing systems. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California and is a Registered Architect in New York State.
Education
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor of Architecture
Professional Registration
Registered Architect in the State of New York
Principal Martin has worked in the architecture and construction industry for over 30 years, including 26 years at WBMA specializing in the assessment and repair of exterior envelopes. He has overseen several award-winning restoration projects including St. Paul’s Chapel – Columbia University, 451 Broome Street, Liberty Tower and Alwyn Court, as well as restoration projects at Louis Sullivan’s Bayard-Condict Building, the Cosmopolitan Club, several City parks and residential cooperatives. Martin is well versed in the myriad building materials that have been used in the northeast and has extensive experience assessing and restoring a variety of masonry and roofing systems. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California and is a Registered Architect in New York State.
Education
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor of Architecture
Professional Registration
Registered Architect in the State of New York
With over 19 years of experience in the field, Sergio has been instrumental in the successful restoration, repair, and continued maintenance of numerous historic structures in New York City and beyond. 13 of those years have been at WBMA, where he has taken a detailed and methodical approach to his projects. Some of his noteworthy ongoing projects include Casa Italiana, Columbia University; The Osborne; 100 Hudson Street; 525 Park Avenue; 130 East End Avenue; and 300 West 108th Street. Previous award-winning projects include 131 Duane Steet – the Hope Building, 451 Broome Street, Donald Judd Home & Studio, and Marymount School of New York. He is a Registered Architect in the States of New York and New Jersey. Originally from Puerto Rico, Sergio received his Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania and Bachelor of Architecture with a Minor in Architectural History from Carnegie Mellon University.
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Master of Science in Historic Preservation
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Bachelor of Architecture
Minor in Architectural History
Registered Architect in the States of New York and New Jersey
Principal Martin has worked in the architecture and construction industry for over 30 years, including 26 years at WBMA specializing in the assessment and repair of exterior envelopes. He has overseen several award-winning restoration projects including St. Paul’s Chapel – Columbia University, 451 Broome Street, Liberty Tower and Alwyn Court, as well as restoration projects at Louis Sullivan’s Bayard-Condict Building, the Cosmopolitan Club, several City parks and residential cooperatives. Martin is well versed in the myriad building materials that have been used in the northeast and has extensive experience assessing and restoring a variety of masonry and roofing systems. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California and is a Registered Architect in New York State.
Education
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor of Architecture
Professional Registration
Registered Architect in the State of New York
With 35 years of professional experience at WBMA, Robert has overseen restoration projects at many of New York City’s premier institutions, including The Met Cloisters, Donald Judd Home and Studio, Green-Wood Cemetery and Riverside Church, as well as McKim Mead and White’s 998 Fifth Avenue and William Tuthill’s Schinasi Mansion at 351 Riverside Drive. A graduate of Lehigh University, Robert is a Registered Architect in the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, as well as a member of the American Institute of Architects. He has a strong understanding of traditional building materials and has developed many new restoration techniques over the years. Robert has published articles on waterproofing of historic masonry walls, restoration of cast iron, and roofing replacement.
Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
Bachelor of Art in Architecture
Registered Architect in the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
