Preservation, Renovation, Elevation,
and a Donation
Seaport Structure Reborn as Flood-Proof Food Emporia as Owner Celebrates with Support for Local Charity
Dignitaries including Howard Hughes Corporationss president for the New York region, Saul Scherl (wearing the blue hardhat) and Community Board 1s vice chair emeritus, Paul Hovitz ceremonially sign the final beam shortly before it is placed into the newly reconstructed Tin Building at the South Street Seaport.
The South Street Seaports historic Tin Building reached a milestone on Wednesday, when the last and highest structural beam was placed (after being ceremonially signed by dozens of well-wishers) within a reconstructed edifice, following an unprecedented, years-long effort to preserve it. This included meticulously dismantling the 1907 building, removing it from the site, and rebuilding the pier and deck beneath, then bringing the pieces back for reassembly.
All of which was made necessary by two, parallel imperatives. First, the building could not (as a legally protected landmark) be demolished, although a 1995 fire had left it literally a shell of its former self, with much of its namesake tin replaced by a fiberglass faade designed to replicate the original look. (More damage was inflicted by 2012s Hurricane Sandy.) And second, reconstructing the 53,000-square-foot building triggered regulations that mandated it be lifted out of the flood plain occupied by Pier 17, on which the Tin Building rests. But raising the structure by the requisite six feet would have meant bumping its faade into the viaduct of the nearby FDR Drive, so it also needed to be moved about 30 feet eastward, out over the East river.
The Tin Building as it will appear in 2021, when renovations are complete and a new food hall and market, helmed by renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, is slated to open.
This project involved the meticulous cataloging, storage, repair and refurbishment of some 300 pieces from the original building for historical reference and re-use. The reconstruction plan required sign-off from the Citys Landmarks Preservation Commission and the State Historic Preservation Office, because the site lies within overlapping historic districts designated by City Hall and Albany. Much of the exterior fiberglass was replaced by newly replicated elements crafted to match the original design and materials, such as sheet metal cladding, pilasters, cornices, bulkheads, doors and windows. (Additionally replaced were the roof and much of the legacy flooring, which were also lost in the 1995 fire.) Among the original pieces brought back were the steel canopy that adorns the western side of the building.
The sum of all this effort has been to restore a long-vanished grandeur to the original, neo-Classical design, in which the corrugated metal faade evoked the industrial labor that took place within, while decorative two-story sheet metal pilasters evoked a nobility of purpose that reconciled ancient values with modern vitality and ambition.
The massive undertaking was managed by Howard Hughes Corporation (HHC), which has been designated by the City to redevelop the South Street Seaport neighborhood. Saul Scherl, HHCs president for the New York region, observed that, todays topping-out brings us one step closer to the vision for a fully-reconstructed historic Tin Building. One that honors its unique identity and history, while offering expanded public access to the East River waterfront and adding to the resiliency of the Seaport neighborhood.
HHCs vision for the revitalized Tin Building centers around a partnership with celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who opened the highly regarded Fulton seafood restaurant on Pier 17 in May. His plans for the Tin Building, however, are an order of magnitude more ambitious. Slated to open in 2021, the entire three-story building will be given over to a food hall and fish market, inspired by the South Street Seaports past as the busiest commercial and maritime center in the world. On a more personal level, the Tin Building will also evoke Mr. Vongerichtens own history: When he first came to New York as a young chef in 1986, and began to establish a culinary reputation that would eventually span the globe, I used to buy fish for my restaurant at the Fulton Fish Market, in this building, he recalled.
In that sense, the Tin Building has come full circle. Although the Fulton Fish Market (which functioned as a wholesale agora starting in 1835) decamped for the Hunts Point section of the Bronx in 2005, the surrounding community has never lost touch with its nautical culture and legacy.
Food and community go hand in hand, Mr. Scherl observed. Joining the dining options at Pier 17 and throughout the Seaport, Jean-Georges new food market is designed to bring people together and to be a real community mainstay. Its a place where residents, workers and visitors can come throughout the day to grab a quick bite, enjoy a meal with friends, shop for fresh fish and produce, and much more.
Mr. Scherl presents David Jones, chief executive officer of the Bowery Mission, with a check to fund free meals for homeless New Yorkers during the upcoming holidays.
HHC also chose Wednesdays topping-out event to honor and offer support to the Bowery Mission, a Lower Manhattan non-profit that provides food, medical services and employment assistance to New Yorks working poor, along with homeless men, women, and children. As Mr. Scherl presented a check for $5,000, David Jones, the Bowery Missions chief executive officer, said, it is an honor to be a part of this restoration and renewal of the Tin Building, because restoration and renewal is what weve been about since the 1870s. Were celebrating our 140th year by working with Howard Hughes Corporation, who have been inviting us in, and have sent teams down to our mission, serving food. Our ultimate aim is not merely to provide food and shelter, but to see individuals leading lives of independence and dignity.
James Winans, the Bowery Missons chief development officer, added, we believe we are making new progress in the fight against homelessness. The support of Howard Hughes will ensure that the Bowery Mission meets the immediate needs of many more New Yorkers experiencing homelessness during Thanksgiving. Howard Hughes financial and volunteer support is also helping New Yorkers make progress toward restoration and independent living.
Mr. Jones concluded by noting that the donation from HHC will enable the Bowery Mission to serve more than 3,000 additional free meals to people in need during the upcoming holidays.
Mr. Scherl added, were fortunate to be part of the Seaport and Lower Manhattan community and have made it a priority through HHCs Seaport Cares initiative to support local nonprofits, education, community events, and the arts. We are looking forward to volunteering for the third year in a row at the Bowery Missions annual Thanksgiving dinner, a give back that also reflects our commitment to social impact initiatives and corporate social responsibility.
Matthew Fenton
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The BroadsheetDAILY ~ News of Lower Manhattan ~ 11/15/19 - ebroadsheet.com
