The Gabay Building after a face lift by Right Path Windows & Restoration
As historic restoration contractors, Right Path Windows and Restoration was tasked with fabricating a new two story custom wood storefront and glass system to match the existing historic conditions at the Gabay Building, which was built the Flatiron District in 1915. We worked with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission to preserve the original appearance of the building.
The project included the two story storefront façade with two large custom wood windows on the first floor and the windows on the second floor had operable transoms.
The wooden storefront was fabricated from Sapele Mahogany. This type of wood machines smoothly and takes finishes well. Engineered stiles and rails were used in the doors, which have a solid stave core that makes them more stable than traditional dimensional lumber.
The storefront facade design included three sets double entry doors. They were oversized at 10 feet tall, being 2-1/4” thick with fixed transoms, and had 1” glass. The doors on either side of the center door serve as entryways to a restaurant, and as such they see heavy traffic.
The center door posed its own challenge. Behind the entry door was a second set of doors in the foyer, which required intricate electronic components. A great deal of coordination was required with the electrical team to ensure that the buzzer unit worked properly for the commercial tenants above. This door also has a tremendous amount of traffic.
The windows on the first and second floor were constructed with 1” Low-e insulated glass. Of particular note is that the owner wanted very much to preserve the original appearance of the windows on the second floor. We replaced them using insulated wavy restorer glass to maintain the look of the original windows. The casement windows and transoms were operable, allowing for air flow.
Below the pair of custom wood storefront windows was a setback where the glass protruded 16” from the base. Welded tubular steel was anchored into the ground for support. We designed corbels that were used to conceal the substructure and to enhance the graceful cantilevered effect.
Extensive weatherproofing was applied, in the form of copper panning, flashing, which was soldered together for maximum durability.
Hardware selected for this project included 4.5” x 4.5” hinges, extension flush bolts, ornate 3” x 18” single cylinder mortised lock sets which feature Fleur-de-Lis back plates and Laurel-style door knobs.
The finished project blended seamlessly with the surrounding architectural features while maintaining the original appearance of the building. We worked closely with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission to ensure compliance with their requirements.
