Scope of work
- Develop shop drawings to align with LPC expectations
- Supply and install custom mahogany sashes and doors
- Custom finishing
- Specialty glass suited for retail and energy efficiency.
- Waterproofing around all sashes and doors.
- Door hardware
Challenges
- Continuous updates of the shop drawing as a result of onsite findings.
- Custom profiles to match LPC drawings.
- Intense water proofing requirements as per building engineers
- Installation of oversize sashes and glass.
History
120 Mercer Street is tucked into the vibrant heart of SoHo’s Cast Iron Historic District. It is more than a building. It’s a narrative etched in iron, brick, and mahogany. Alfred Zucker, a visionary of the era, designed this architectural landmark in 1890. This 10-story structure has stood the test of time. But its ground-level storefront had not.
Decades of unsympathetic repairs left the once-regal woodwork compromised. Original moldings were lost. Sashes were crudely patched. Single-pane glass rattled in rotted frames. It was clear that this façade needed more than cosmetic repair—it needed a steward of craftsmanship. That’s where Paul Mulcahy stepped in.
A Project Built on Craftsmanship and Commitment
Working under contract, Paul led this project from concept through completion. Every detail of the recreation was customized. This includes shop drawings, sample development, engineering, and final approvals. These efforts were tailored to satisfy NYC Landmarks requirements. This project was personal to Paul. It was an opportunity to protect and elevate a piece of the city’s-built legacy.
Why was this project needed
The existing storefront at 120 Mercer Street had become a patchwork of mismatched sashes. Some were original, others repaired, and some replaced over time. This lack of consistency diminished the building’s appearance. It also failed to meet the needs of a modern retail space.
New entry doors were required where none had previously existed. This installation created both functional challenges. It also posed aesthetic challenges. The outdated sashes lacked energy-efficient glazing, which contributed to heat loss and higher utility costs. They also were not suitable for proper retail display, limiting the visibility of products from the street.
By addressing these issues, our team restored uniformity to the storefront while upgrading performance, energy efficiency, and retail presentation.