Mercer Street | Manhattan
Building Highlights:
In the heart of Manhattan’s SoHo Cast Iron Historic District, this 1876 landmark—designed by architect Jesse Powers and originally a store-and-loft building—later became elegant condominiums.
Services Include:
• Exterior Restoration
• Historic Preservation
Scope of Project:
This comprehensive rehabilitation project preserved and enhanced a historic cast-iron façade while resolving long-standing structural and waterproofing challenges. The sidewalk and below-grade vault spaces were fully reconstructed with new concrete slabs, structural reinforcements, and advanced waterproofing systems to eliminate chronic water infiltration. Ground-floor bulkhead doors were replaced with new units carefully matched to the original design.
Existing cast-iron elements—including columns, capitals, and ornamental detailing—were cleaned, repaired using mechanical and epoxy methods, and protected with a rust-inhibiting coating system. Damaged or missing components were accurately replicated in cast iron. The building’s distinctive historic cornice was faithfully reproduced in durable fiberglass-reinforced polymer, maintaining visual authenticity from the street while reducing weight and improving long-term performance.
Original wood double-hung windows were repaired, reglazed, and repainted, and the ground-floor storefront was restored to its historic configuration, reestablishing appropriate proportions, transom heights, and recessed entries. Guided by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, the project retains the building’s essential historic character, resolves chronic deterioration, and ensures its continued vitality for future generations.
Our Involvement:
As Architect of Record, FSI led this thoughtful restoration from concept through completion, providing architectural design and structural engineering for a striking new fiberglass cornice that faithfully recreated the building’s historic grandeur. Working closely with skilled contractors and specialized fiberglass artisans, the team developed precise details to repair deteriorated elements and meticulously replicate original features, ensuring every curve and ornament reflected the building’s historic character.
Throughout the project, FSI collaborated closely with the Community Board to uphold and preserve the building’s authentic architectural integrity. From defining the comprehensive restoration scope to guiding on-site execution, FSI remained deeply involved at every stage, ensuring the work met the highest standards of craftsmanship, historical accuracy, and long-term durability.