GEA provided comprehensive MEP and FP services for the 20-story residential high-rise condominium at 234 East 23rd Street in Manhattan’s Gramercy Park neighborhood. The project encompassed 93,452 gsf, including 57 condominiums, a second-floor garden terrace, roof deck, lounge, library, billiards room, gym, private penthouse terraces, and ground-floor commercial space. The narrow sixty-foot frontage and an accelerated completion schedule required precise logistical planning and execution. The building was completed in the summer of 2016.
The MEP systems were meticulously integrated into Hill West’s architectural design, featuring a contextual brick façade reminiscent of a historic Soho-style warehouse. The HVAC design utilized Water Source Heat Pump Split systems to provide efficient and flexible heating and cooling. This system maximized energy efficiency and maintained optimal indoor comfort while complementing the building’s large, nearly floor-to-ceiling, mullioned windows. The eroded and aged brick selected for the façade gave the structure a historical appearance, while metal fins rising from the chiseled and scored stone base to the tower’s top emphasized verticality. MEP systems were concealed within the building’s framework to preserve the aesthetic of the deep masonry walls.
The FP systems were seamlessly integrated into the design, ensuring compliance with safety standards while maintaining the building’s aesthetic. Fire protection included a state-of-the-art sprinkler system and strategically placed fire alarms and detectors. The comprehensive MEP and FP fit-out covered all residential units, amenity spaces, and commercial areas, ensuring robust infrastructure support. This coordination between GEA’s engineering services and the architectural vision ensured the building not only met all functional requirements but also maintained a refined, luxurious presence in Gramercy Park.