Lander Street Revival

Restoring a Pair of Italianate Rowhouses

A view of limewash mineral paint recently applied to the building façades.

Newburgh, NY

Progress photos of building renovation on Lander Street, Newburgh, NY. These rowhouses will each house an owners’s duplex apartments as well as two one-bedroom rentals.

Due to many years of deterioration, these two buildings had developed structural challenges requiring many unique solutions. A major issue was created when one of the original rowhouse sections was removed. The result being building corners which were not fully supported. In making them structurally sound, JWRA worked with the contractor, Carlos & his team, to employ various bracing methods to bring the building into shape.

An important key service we provide at JWRA is Construction Administration. Site administration from an architect helps address these issues as they arise while presenting solutions in a timely manner.

Threaded rod tie-backs were used to pull the exterior brick walls into the framing & flooring structure and secure them in place.

To stabilize building corners, wooden cages were used to secure exterior walls to strengthen unbraced corners.

Steel frames were introduced as moment connections to secure some of the fragile masonry walls.

In the basement, rebar grade beams were poured to strengthen the building's footing.

Some of our most valuable resources are 110-year-old building manuals.

Trade Secrets

Utilizing resources from the Legacy City Access Program, Newburgh Community Land Bank intends to bridge the homeownership gap in communities of color. The program website states, “The Legacy City Access Program will address these market dislocations by providing resources to small developers who have the capacity to take title to and renovate vacant properties, creating new opportunities to promote affordable homeownership for underserved families, particularly first-time homebuyers of color.”

Jeff Wilkinson, R.A. is thrilled to work with Newburgh Community Land Bank on revitalizing these future homes just two blocks from our office! We are looking forward to the interior progress that will take place over the winter months.

 Windows: Weathershield

Exterior Paint: Limeworks St. Astier #423

Home & Hearth

A recently completed project as featured in Architectural Digest.

The fireplace represents the five basic elements of fire, water, air, earth & metal. We at JWRA strive to make working fireplaces. We typically design and build Rumford or modified Rumford fireplaces based on Count Rumford’s design principles.

Inspiration for the numerous fireplaces came from the client’s love of fireplaces. They requested to incorporate one into almost every room and on the terrace.

Fireplace designs commenced with sketches by Jeff. All of which were either stoneclad or tile from Pewabic Pottery.

Photograph by Joshua McHugh

Jeff & client have a connection to Detroit, and both were thrilled to be able to work with Pewabic Pottery on the project. During the schematic design phase, Jeff and Natalie visited the Pewabic Pottery headquarters showroom in Detroit.

JWRA established the design direction and brought back samples for the client to review. When the final color selections were made the designs were digitized. A Pewabic design consultant advised on the technical aspects. The finished tiles were handmade to order.

Grout color selection harmonized with the clay materials of the tiles themselves. The contractor, Mike Monteleone, meticulously executed the final tile installations.

Stones for the main house and the carriage house were sourced locally in the Hudson Valley from an independent artisan. Antique timber mantles from Excelsior Wood Products were hand-selected by Jeff to complement the design aesthetic.

One of the strengths of JWRA is the ability to create living spaces that are enjoyable to be in. It is the attention to detail and on-site creative problem-solving with the contractor and trades that lead this project to successful completion.

The entire process was enjoyable, challenging, and interesting. It allowed our firm to flex our creativity and bring design concepts to life.

Photos by Gross & Daley

Tile: Pewabic Pottery

Contractor: Monteleone Contracting

Antique Timbers: Excelsior Wood Products

Interior Design: Ross Alexander Designs

Tax Incentives for Preserving Historic Properties

National Parks Services have recently announced submissions for the Historic Preservation Certification Application will now be electronic. The shift begins on August 15th and includes both state (SHPO) and national submissions (NPS). 

Jeff Wilkinson, R.A. has aided a number of clients to obtain tax credits for restoration work completed in the Historic East End District. As a former member of the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) for the City of Newburgh, Jeff has an extensive knowledge base. He is passionate about restoration. With a keen eye for detail and a love of historic architecture, Jeff is an indispensable resource.

If you are interested in learning more about what you can do with Tax Incentives for Preserving Historic Properties, visit our website. We can assist you with both commercial as well as homeowner applications.

Featured restoration Projects that took advantage of Historic Tax Credits (HTC) in the Historic East End District:

Selah Reeves House

168 Lander St

96 Broadway

Restoration on Lander Street: A Progress Site Visit

Newburgh, NY

Construction is under way on Lander Street. While there are many projects unfolding in the environs, this Newburgh rowhouse restoration project is close to our heart. Jeff Wilkinson, R.A. has been hired by Newburgh Community Land Bank to revitalize abandoned buildings in the City of Newburgh. These identical twins will have the same general floor plan and complimentary exterior finishes. Both have received approval from the local ARC (Architectural Review Committee) and will adhere to the East End Historic District design guidelines. We are passionate about architectural restoration and look forward to seeing these parts of history restored to their former glory.

Progress on Eaglestone: Timber Frame House

Catskill Mountains, NY
The Design and Construction of a new timber frame lodge on a 400-acre forest preserve overlooking a mountain stream. The building program consists of a main house with a great room and enclosed porches, a master bedroom suite, guest wing and attached spa and lap pool. Accessory structures will incorporate wood harvested from the site. The primary heat source incorporates a Fröling wood boiler using wood from the Owner’s manages wood lot.  Accessory structures will incorporate wood harvested from the site. The primary heat source incorporates a Fröling wood boiler using wood from the Owner’s manages wood lot. In conjunction with Michael Van Valkenburgh Landscape Architect.

Off the Grid: Hudson River House

Hudson Valley, NY
Consisting of a 1000 S.f. residence over a garage and storage area the private residence is nestled into a hillside and captures amazing views of the Hudson Highlands. The small home will be kept off of the power grid and will employ a 10KW solar panel array with a back up battery system. Site stone will be incorporated the foundation and retaining walls. A clerestory and screened porch will create a chimney effect to enhance natural cooling.

 

 

The Renovation of a Gem: Guinans at Garrison Landing

Known locally as “Guinan’s”, #7 Garrison Landing was originally built as a utility barn for the railroad. In the 1920’s it was turned into a boarding house and tavern and for many years was operated by the Guinan family as recounted in the book Little Chapel on the River. The extensive renovation involves constructing a flood resistant foundation, installing an on site sewage system and renovating the timber and wood framed structure to house 2 apartments over a new restaurant/tavern.

Read more about Guinans Legacy in the New York Times Article: Farewell to a Pub, and Maybe to an Era

Proposal for Garden Townhouses

Beacon, NY
In response to a City of Beacon RFP, JWRA created a park like site Plan and building design for Developer Tim Owen. The plan depicts garden town homes alongside the Fishkill Creek with mulit-level balconies and terraces taking advantage of the view. Public amenities include the creek side Greenway trail with a natural promenade viewing area and park benches.

Expansion of Hudson Beach Glass

Beacon, NY
One of the mainstay businesses of Beacon, NY, Hudson Beach Glass is planning an expansion of its existing glass blowing facility. The enlarged studio will incorporate second story offices as well as a roof top terrace to enhance the second floor gallery and exhibition space.