30 Broad Street
Project Statistics
Project Name: 30 Broad Street Façade Repair and Roof Replacement
Location: New York City, NY
Client: Tribeca Investment Group
Completion Date: 2024 (one year ahead of schedule)
Service Type: Historical Building Repair, Façade Inspection, Roof Replacement, FISP Compliance
Industry/Building Type/Height: Commercial, Art Deco, 50 stories
Overview
The 30 Broad Street project focused on the full restoration and repair of a historic Art Deco skyscraper in Manhattan's Financial District. The objective was to address significant deterioration of the building envelope, including the 50th and 24th floor roofs, façade elements, and structural components while ensuring compliance with NYC's Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP).
This project stood out for the challenge of balancing tenant needs in an occupied commercial building with the technical demands of restoring a prominent 1932 architectural gem in the Financial District.
Designed by architects Morris and O’Connor as an expression of ‘straightforward business of the highest class’, 30 Broad Street was completed in 1932 at a cost of $20 million and featured in the classic 1954 film Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn.
CANY's Involvement
Services provided
CANY provided comprehensive building envelope consulting, restoration design, and construction administration services for this iconic Art Deco tower. Our team executed a phased approach that minimized disruption to commercial tenants while addressing critical building envelope failures through detailed assessment, strategic planning, and hands-on project management.
Scope of work
Comprehensive Building Conditions Assessment using Industrial Rope Access techniques
Development of phased repair program
Design and specifications for complete roof replacements at 50th and 24th floors
Extensive façade repair including parapet rebuilding, corner reconstruction, brick masonry replacement and repair, and stone repair
FISP compliance management and documentation
Our approach and solutions provided
Main challenges
Minimizing disruption to tenants in a fully occupied commercial building
Coordinating complex façade work on a 50-story historic structure in a congested urban environment
Managing potentially hazardous materials (ACM) during renovation
Adapting to evolving site conditions and budget pressures through proactive change management
Navigating NYC Department of Buildings regulations and FISP requirements
CANY's solution
Roof Replacements: 50th and 24th Floors
CANY led the full replacement of roofing assemblies at both the 50th and 24th floors. Each effort began with targeted probes and ACM testing to uncover concealed conditions before design began. We documented existing assemblies, developed detailed specifications, and coordinated with manufacturers to ensure warranty compliance.
Our scope included:
Condition assessment and coordination of exploratory probes and ACM testing
Preparation of detailed construction documents and specifications
Management of DOB filings and the contractor bidding process
Full construction administration, including contractor oversight, site observations, and deficiency tracking
Warranty integration and final closeout documentation
This work was carefully scheduled to minimize disruption to building operations and completed in tandem with broader façade improvements.
Façade Repair
CANY developed and executed a strategic, phased repair program based on our initial assessment using Industrial Rope Access. This approach allowed for full exterior evaluation without extensive scaffolding, reducing upfront costs and disruption.
Our façade repair approach included:
Complete (100%) parapet rebuilding with improved waterproofing details
Strategic (75%) corner rebuilding based on condition assessment
Custom railing solutions meeting both aesthetic and safety requirements
Selective brick replacement preserving historical appearance
Comprehensive mortar joint repointing with historically appropriate materials
Meticulous spandrel refurbishment respecting original design intent
Varied stone repair techniques including crack repair, Dutchman method, and patch repair
Structural steel reinforcement and replacement based on engineering analysis
In addition, CANY coordinated FISP compliance and management during the project and achieved a SAFE filing at close-out.
Throughout the project, open communication was maintained with the client and tenants, along with scheduled work to minimize disruption, and constantly monitored progress against project milestones.
Project Achievements
Key outcomes
Completion of the entire project one year ahead of schedule (2024 instead of 2025)
Successful FISP compliance with SAFE filing status
Preservation of the building's historic character while improving performance
Significant extension of building envelope service life
Minimized tenant disruption through strategic phasing and clear communication
Comprehensive documentation for future maintenance and reference
Enhanced building safety through structural improvements and code compliance
Building History
The site of 30 Broad Street carries a remarkable history dating back to the 1600s when it was part of "the Canal of the Lords," one of the earliest waterways in Manhattan. As the city evolved, this canal was filled and transformed into Broad Street, becoming a bustling commercial thoroughfare. By the 19th century, the area had become home to New York's "curb brokers" – early stockbrokers who conducted trades literally on the curb before the establishment of the New York Stock Exchange.
The current building at 30 Broad Street was completed in 1932 during the Art Deco architectural movement that defined much of New York's skyline. Designed by the architectural firm of Morris and O'Connor, the building exemplified what they called "straightforward business of the highest class" – elegant yet functional, imposing yet refined. At 50 stories tall, it was a significant addition to the Lower Manhattan skyline and represented the financial might of pre-Depression New York.
The building gained additional cultural significance when it was featured in the classic 1954 film "Sabrina," starring Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden. In the film, 30 Broad Street appears as the headquarters of the fictional Larrabee Corporation, adding to its iconic status in both architectural and pop culture history.
Throughout its nearly century-long existence, 30 Broad Street has witnessed the evolution of the Financial District from the Great Depression through the digital age. Its continued presence as a functioning commercial property speaks to both the quality of its original construction and the dedicated restoration efforts that CANY contributed to have maintained this historic structure for future generations.
Conclusion
Our work at 30 Broad Street demonstrates CANY's ability to balance modern performance requirements with historic preservation needs. By combining our architectural and engineering expertise, we were able to deliver a successful project that exceeded client expectations in terms of timeline, budget, and quality.
