120 Broadway, 38th Floor
The steel-frame high-rise at 120 Broadway was constructed between 1914 and 1915 as the new headquarters for the Equitable Life Assurance Company. The 38-story, “H” shaped structure, known simply as the Equitable Building, was designed in the Beaux-Arts style by architects Ernest R. Graham, the successor to Daniel H. Burnham and Company, and Peirce Anderson. The 38th and 39th floors of the Equitable Building feature the historic Bankers Club space with elaborate architectural woodwork and ornamental plaster ceilings and walls. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and designated a New York City Landmark in 1995. The building was acquired by Silverstein Properties in 1980, which began a phased capital improvement program with Beyer Blinder Belle Architects.
As part of the redesign of the 38th floor, Beyer Blinder Belle aimed to restore the historically significant decorative elements while introducing high technology. EverGreene was engaged by L&K Partners, Inc. as the restoration subcontractor for plaster, decorative painting, wood, stone, and metals. EverGreene’s project manager and superintendent were instrumental in coordinating with L&K and its subcontractors to facilitate infrastructure upgrades and the integration of technology with minimal impact on the historic materials.
Removal of drywall partitions revealed extensive damage to historic ornamental plaster. Our plasterers made site molds of the major elements for replication. Small elements were cast onsite for rapid repairs, while larger ornamental elements were cast in the studio. They repaired cracks, dents, and holes in the plaster, removed loose paint and non-original materials, and installed large cast cove moldings to reinstate missing ceiling elements. Plaster grilles were replicated and installed at 24 clerestory windows to replace disintegrating and missing historic grilles. Decorative painting that EverGreene created in the 1990s remained intact and was gently cleaned, with infill painting at areas of plaster damage.
EverGreene restoration carpenters carefully removed and reinstalled numerous wood panels to permit installation of electrical equipment and devices by other trades. Wood restoration included an overall dry cleaning in select areas; repair and resecuring of damaged wood; and refinishing with varnish and gold paint striping. Metal grille restoration included overall cleaning, as well as removal and replacement of failing finishes and the fabrication and installation of replacement grilles where necessary.
Stone treatments included an overall cleaning and removal of adhesive in select areas, particularly in the Rotunda, Great Hall, and Elevator lobbies; repair of cracks and gouges via epoxy injection; dutchman repairs for areas with failed or lost material; and removal, salvage, and reinstallation of floor tiles.
