The Warehouse receives Best of 2006 honor from New York Construction magazine

The Warehouse receives Best of 2006 honor from New York Construction magazineNovember 27, 2006Jaime Winne Alvarezjlwinne@syr.edu

Syracuse University’s downtown presence The Warehouse, 350 W. Fayette St., was honored by New York Construction magazine as one of the best construction projects for 2006. The extensive $9 million building renovation, conducted by New York City firm Gluckman Mayner Architects in partnership with VIP Structures of Syracuse, was chosen as the best higher education project in the tri-state area. SU, Gluckman Mayner Architects and VIP Structures were recognized for their work on the project.

New York Construction, the leading magazine for the region’s building industry, is one of 11 regional magazines published by McGraw-Hill Construction across the country. Profiles about the 40 winning projects will appear in the December 2006 issue. An annual awards breakfast to recognize team members from winning projects will be held Friday, Dec. 15, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, Manhattan.

“This award is a great validation of the significance of The Warehouse project and the true excellence of the design work of Richard Gluckman and execution of VIP Structures,” says SU Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor.

“The Warehouse is one of those rare, serendipitous projects that you have over the course of your career in which everything positive seems to come together in one space.I have a strong affinity for Syracuse — both the University and the city — so this is a project we’re really proud of,” says Richard Gluckman ’70, G’71, principal of Gluckman Mayner Architects and chair of SU School of Architecture’s Board of Advisors.

“This project was a great example of no-compromise design-build at its best. Integrating the extraordinary design talent of Gluckman Mayner Architects; the design-sensitive interpretation in code review, specification and construction documents by VIP Architectural Associates; and an adherence to budget, purchasing, scheduling and construction management by VIP Structures — all driven by the vision and passion of Syracuse University,” says David C. Nutting, AIA, chairman and CEO of VIP Structures.

A distinguished jury of industry leaders selected 40 projects in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut for Best of 2006 honors in the annual contest that recognizes design and construction excellence. The 12-member independent jury unanimously selected the Hearst Tower, a $500 million Manhattan skyscraper, as Project of the Year. Eight Best of 2006 winners, in categories ranging from higher education to health care to mass transit facilities, were also honored. Another 31 projects — out of 125 submissions — earned Awards of Merit across 19 categories. The jury evaluated projects based on detailed submissions that responded to contest criteria. They had full discretion to review the projects and honor those that best achieved design and construction goals, overcame challenges and demonstrated high levels of teamwork.

In April 2005, SU purchased the former Dunk and Bright warehouse near Armory Square and commenced a nine-month renovation. Opened in January 2006, The Warehouse is a 135,000-square-foot building transformed into a multi-use facility. In partnership with leaders from government, arts and community organizations, The Warehouse provides public space for art education activities, community use and artist support and development. The Warehouse houses a 125-seat lecture hall, reading room, community and student gallery spaces, cafe, community and arts spaces, administrative offices, library storage, studios and classrooms.

Located on the Connective Corridor, The Warehouse was the first project of an initiative to help revitalize the city center by creating a dynamic downtown presence for the University. The expansion of the SU campus into downtown allows for an influx of academic life into local restaurants and shops, paves the way for a new transportation pattern through the city and connects smaller community galleries and theaters. The building is home to SU academic programs, including the School of Architecture, communications and advertising design programs in the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the Goldring Arts Journalism Program in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Community spaces at The Warehouse were realized through the generosity and advocacy of community partners New York State Sen. John A. DeFrancisco, the Allyn Foundation, the Central New York Community Foundation, the Gifford Foundation, National Grid, Henry A. Panasci Jr. and family and the Verizon Foundation. Additional community partners and building tenants include the Cultural Resources Council of Syracuse and Onondaga County and the Everson Museum of Art.

Gluckman Mayner Architects of New York, N.Y., is the successor firm to Richard Gluckman Architects, established in 1977. The office has designed a wide range of institutional, commercial and residential projects throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. A major component of the firm’s practice has been the design of art-related facilities. Much of the firm’s work has grown out of an exchange with artists, curators and museum directors.

VIP Structures is a national design-build firm headquartered in Syracuse, N.Y. VIP has more than 30 years of professional experience working in architecture, construction, development and property management for institutional, commercial and industrial markets.