57th St. Landmark Restoration Expands Art Store Space

NEW YORK CITY-The former American Society of Civil Engineer’s Club, one of 57th Street’s architectural gems, is undergoing a major renovation that will expand the space of its ground floor retail tenant, build out a new mezzanine level and add a retail tenant on the second and third floor. Independent sources estimate the cost of the renovation at roughly $10 million.

Located at 220 W. 57th St., the building is a French Gothic Revival structure that has remained open during a full-scale renovation. When the project is completed in July, well-known art supply store Lee’s Art shop will retain its 7,000-sf street-level space and will expand to the second floor. In addition, a new 2,500-sf mezzanine level built by locally based IBEX Construction will house the art business’ offices.

“The scope and reach of this project is extraordinary and should not be underestimated,” says Andy Frankl, president of IBEX Construction. “The completion of this project will open up a new chapter for Lee’s Art Shop and this beautiful French Gothic Revival structure.”

Lee’s Light Studio, a related business, will move from its current location at 56th Street and Broadway to renovated space on the 57th Street building’s second and third floor. A 2,500-sf space on the fourth floor could be utilized as gallery space, though no firm decision has been made.

“This is a project that requires great sensitivity to historic elements and logistics, and most important a strong knowledge of base building work. It is not merely an interior fit-out project,” says Wajdi Atallah, a consultant for Lee’s Art Shop.

The architects for the renovation are Meyer & Gifford Architects, based here. Charles Gifford, a partner at Meyer and Gifford, says, “Lee’s has always had a place in the hearts of New Yorkers and regular visitors to the city. It’s not just a building but also a landmark, joining the Arts Student League and Carnegie Hall, to remind us of the elegance of New York at the turn of the century.”