Regents Family Center Building Envelope Rehab Project Honored with ACEC Engineering Excellence Award

UrbanNY is pleased to announce that the Regents Family Center Building Envelope Rehabilitation Project in Manhattan was honored with a Gold Award by the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York’s 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards program. The project was recognized in the Special Projects Category at the organization’s 59th Annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala, which took place at the Midtown Hilton in New York City on April 18, 2026.

“We would like to congratulate the NYC Department of Design and Construction on the successful completion of this project and on this honor from ACEC New York,” said William Thomsen, PE, President & CEO of Urban Engineers of New York, D.P.C.

UrbanNY served as the Construction Manager (CM) and Owner’s Representative for this $12 million project supporting the NYC Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC) and the NYCDHS facility. As CM for NYCDDC, UrbanNY oversaw the prime contractor responsible for construction. The team communicated and coordinated with multiple stakeholders, including the direct client (NYCDDC), the project client (NYCDHS), the sponsor agency responsible for client services and building maintenance, the prime contractor, the design professionals, and an independent third-party Special Inspections agency.

Tasked with overseeing a complex restoration effort on a 100 year old, 18 story building, the team ensured that all construction activities met the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. UrbanNY provided direct oversight of the general contractor, enforcing rigorous controls over schedule, budget, and workmanship.

UrbanNY fostered open, collaborative communication among design professionals, special inspection agencies, and construction personnel, ensuring alignment throughout the project. This proactive and inclusive management approach enabled swift resolution of challenges, minimized disruptions to building operations, and delivered a safe, restored facility serving some of New York City’s most vulnerable families.

The scope of work included extensive facade restoration, involving the rehabilitation and replication of ornamental terra cotta, stone, and metal elements, with cracked terra cotta replaced using architectural cast stone to maintain historical accuracy. At the 16th floor setback, the ornate masonry parapet was fully reconstructed, which included replacement of structural steel spandrels and repairs to the underlying concrete slab. Deteriorated stucco across the east façade was removed and replaced with new, historically appropriate stucco finishes. A new copper mansard roof was installed over the 17th and 18th floors—complete with copper gutters, leaders, and 25 recessed and dormered windows along the Broadway and 104th Street elevations—enhancing both performance and architectural character.

The project also included replacement of three major roofing systems: the main roof, the 16th floor setback roof, and the rear first floor roof. Masonry repairs addressed mortar deterioration through re pointing, replacement of damaged face brick and masonry units, installation of new cast stone windowsills, reconstruction of corner and control joints, and selective rebuilding of concrete slabs. Existing steel lintels were restored, and new hung lintels with welded spandrels, flashing, reinforced veneer brick, and protective coatings were installed as part of the lintel refurbishment effort. Finally, the project included hazardous material abatement, specifically the removal of asbestos containing materials and lead based paint to ensure a safe construction environment and a compliant building envelope.