ATLANTA—Construction has started on the Thomas A. Fanning Student Athlete Performance Center, a 100,000-square-foot facility at Georgia Tech that will house facilities dedicated to nutrition, sports medicine, strength training and mental health services. Additionally, the Fanning Center will feature meeting spaces to be used exclusively by Georgia Tech football and support staff. The Fanning Center will also house Georgia Tech’s first sports science lab, wherein technicians will make use of in-house data analytics programs to track individual performance.

Designed by the S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM), the Fanning Center will feature several sustainability efforts including repurposing steel from the campus’s Bobby Dodd Stadium. (Fanning Center will be part of the Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field complex.) The Fanning Center’s carbon footprint will also be partially offset with such energy-saving design elements as cross-laminated timber placed throughout the new athletic facility. The center is being constructed atop the footprint of the former Edge/Rice Center.

The Fanning Center is named in honor of alumnus Dr. Thomas A. Fanning, whose dedication to forward-thinking energy usage serves as a model for the Georgia Tech community. Fanning also served at various times on the Georgia Tech Foundation Board of Trustees, the Georgia Tech Advisory Board, the Alexander-Tharpe Fund Board of Directors, the Scheller College of Business Advisory Board and Transforming Tomorrow: The Campaign for Georgia Tech Steering Committee, where he serves as co-chair.

Fanning was one of several honored attendees at the recent groundbreaking—including several designers and builders who graduated from Georgia Tech.

“This is an incredibly exciting day for Georgia Tech athletics, as we move one step closer to delivering a first-class, state-of-the-art facility for our student-athletes,” said Director of Athletics J Batt. “We’re thankful for the generosity of Tom Fanning and all our generous supporters who have donated to this project, for the visionary leadership of [Georgia Tech President] Dr. [Ángel] Cabrera, and for our partners at SLAM and DPR Construction, all of whom have been integral in reaching this milestone.”

“It’s been incredibly special to have led the design for my alma mater, creating a new epicenter of athletics that is holistically dedicated to student-athletes’ success,” SLAM lead architect and principal Marc Clear said at the ceremony. “The groundbreaking of the Thomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center is an exciting milestone in creating this technology-rich home for GT Athletics.”

Added Brian Oliver, DPR Construction project executive, and also a Georgia Tech alumnus: “As the college athletics landscape evolves, we’re thrilled to start bringing Georgia Tech’s vision for student-athletes and its campus to life.”

During his time at Georgia Tech, Oliver was part of the NCAA Final Four men’s basketball team in 1990.

“We’re also proud that this project will help support opportunities for local workers in the skilled trades, many of whom feel personal connections with the campus and its athletic program,” Oliver said.

The Fanning Center is due to open in the spring of 2026.

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APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz.—Design-build partners McCarthy Building Companies and Architekton recently celebrated the topping out of the expansion of Central Arizona College’s Allied Health and Skilled Trades buildings. The $40 million, 51,620-square-foot expansion at the college’s Superstition Mountain Campus aims to increase local education in training tomorrow’s healthcare workers and skilled trades workers.

The Allied Health building will be home to classrooms and laboratory space to train students in such areas as massage therapy, phlebotomy, radiology, sonography, nursing assistance and various other career fields. Simulation centers will also prepare students for real-world healthcare situations they may face in the field. The simulation centers will offer “high-fidelity” mannequins, patient simulators and other technology. Local residents will be able to use the Allied Health building’s spa facility for treatment provided by student-learners under faculty supervision.

Meanwhile, the Skilled Trades building will offer students hands-on methods to learn about such careers as electrical, plumbing, ceramics, mechanical and arts programming. Simulations will help students apply their tradecraft in situations that will mimic what they might encounter when they graduate.

As part of its work for Central Arizona College, McCarthy also was tasked with renovating the existing C building to include a computer lab, E-Sports Lab, virtual reality (VR) lab as well as a suite of new faculty offices. McCarthy worked to expand the C building while keeping in place the facility’s existing student lounge, café and student organization space. On the outside, the contractor also added a new canopy to increase outdoor seating for large events.

“We are excited to celebrate this milestone and look forward to the completion of the new Skilled Trades and Allied Health Buildings,” Dr. Jackie Elliott, president of CAC, said of the ongoing work. “CAC will continue to provide a world-class learner experience by expanding educational opportunities for the residents of Apache Junction, Pinal County, and the state of Arizona through existing and new programs that will be housed in these facilities.”

“Topping out is a significant milestone for construction projects, and this project is especially meaningful since it will serve career and technical education students interested in pursuing careers in the trades and healthcare sector,” added Andrea Ramos, McCarthy’s project director. “We are one step closer to providing two new buildings where students, who represent our future workforce, will learn under the direct supervision of the college’s talented staff.”

Added Daniel Childers, senior associate architect with Architekton: “We extend our gratitude to Central Arizona College and our dedicated McCarthy contractor team for achieving this noteworthy milestone of topping out. This brings us one step closer to unveiling these exceptional trades, arts and healthcare facilities to the students and faculty of CAC, and the surrounding communities of Apache Junction.

“It has been the unwavering commitment and collaborative efforts of this incredible team that has brought us to this instrumental and memorable juncture. Thank you for your enthusiasm and expertise as we continue this journey towards opening these facilities to a brighter future.”

The Skilled Trades and Allied Health facilities are planned to be ready for the fall of 2024, with coursework scheduled to commence there in the spring of 2025.

Project subcontractors include RN Electric, S&H Steel, Stone Cold Masonry and Pete King.

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YUCAIPA, Calif.—Respected K-12 school building contractor Erickson-Hall joined officials from Crafton Hills College for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the school’s new BL 20 Public Safety Training Center. The facility was designed for the San Bernardino Community College District by principal architect Kelley Needham of the firm PBK to train firefighters and other public safety officials in and around the Inland Empire region of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.

The Crafton Hills College BL 20 Public Safety Training Center project entailed designing and constructing two fire training facilities encompassing 6,848 square feet. These facilities are built to specifications dedicated by the fire academy for proper training procedures. In addition to classroom instructor, cadets and trainees will encounter real-world scenarios and learn about active fire situations as part of their curriculum.

Because Crafton Hills College was somewhat limited in space, PBK and Erickson-Hall had to ensure that the fire training building would fit within the existing campus footprint and that the construction process would not remove too many parking spaces. However, collaboration between the designers, builders and campus officials ensured that Crafton Hills College continued to function optimally during the renovation process.

“The enhancement of technical training capabilities for fire and emergency medical services programs that the new Public Safety Training Center provides will have a significant positive impact on the first responder community,” Dr. Kevin Horan, president of Crafton Hills College, said of the project. “The collaboration with Erickson-Hall and their experience in working with college campuses and safety center construction played a crucial role in creating a state-of-the-art facility that will benefit public safety for our students and community partners.”

Erickson-Hall’s previous work within the educational sector ensured a timely and efficient delivery of the BL 20 Public Safety Training Center. Erickson-Hall has constructed educational facilities around the Southern California region, particularly in the Inland Empire. The ribbon-cutting of the Crafton Hills College BL 20 Public Safety Training Center signifies another milestone in Erickson-Hall’s commitment to public safety and education within the San Bernardino region.

“Our team enjoyed collaborating with the San Bernardino Community College District and Crafton Hills College to create a facility that will play a pivotal role in preparing the next generation of firefighters,” said Mat Gates, president of Erickson-Hall. “We are dedicated to delivering projects that meet the client’s standards as well as serve communities for years to come.

“This new BL 20 Public Safety Training Center allowed us to accomplish both of those, and we are extremely excited about the outcome.”

Over a quarter-century in the business, Erickson-Hall has delivered over $1.5 billion in construction work in both K-12 and higher education projects. The company provides general contracting, preconstruction services, design-build as well as lease-lendback services.

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CHANDLER, Ariz.—Architect Orcutt | Winslow and general contractor McCarthy Building Companies have reached the topping-out stage at Galveston Elementary School, part of the Chandler Unified School District. Personnel from the district and construction team were on hand for this goalpost moment, where students, staff and invited guests signed a ceremonial beam, which was then hoisted into place atop the phase I construction of the $32-million, 81,000-square-foot expansion.

Phase I entails a 53,000-square-foot classroom building, 21,000-square-foot gymnasium facility and a 7,000-square-foot administration building. The classroom building entails 31 classrooms, each of which will include large-format TVs, as well as grade-appropriate book collections in lieu of a centralized library or media center, and an amphitheater. The building will also be home to a cafeteria—with doors that can roll up during optimal weather for indoor-outdoor dining—and a multipurpose room that can be utilized for various public events.

The buildout commenced in September, and is being constructed on top of Galveston Elementary’s former playground. The new buildings will have card reader access as an added security measure.

The second phase of work, due to commence this fall, entails tearing down the original school building from 1963 and fashioning new playgrounds and athletic fields. Phase II is due for completion in the spring of 2025. The school will then be able to educate 750 students, up from the current complement of around 400 in grades K-6.

At the topping-out ceremony, CUSD Superintendent Frank Narducci called Galveston Elementary a “very special community,” and said the newer buildings will make it even stronger.

“For families and the staff, this school has been an anchor in the neighborhood and city for decades, so this rebuild marks a huge milestone in the school’s history,” Narducci said. “This rebuild will be state-of-the-art and feature learning spaces that allow students and staff to work and learn collaboratively and independently.”

“There has been much to celebrate at Galveston Elementary this year,” added Andrea Ramos, McCarthy Southwest Education Group project director for the construction work. “Not only did the school recently receive an ‘A Grade’ rating, but the campus renovation project marked the major construction milestone of topping out with students, faculty and staff leaving their handprints and names on the final beam, which will forever be part of the Galveston Elementary campus.”

“It has been an absolute honor to work on the Reimagined Galveston Elementary School design project,” said Saravanan Bala, Orcutt | Winslow managing partner. “The District’s vision [shaped] this innovative, community-service focused replacement school.”

Orcutt | Winslow and McCarthy both operate from local offices in Phoenix.

“We couldn’t be prouder to be helping transform the campus into a 21st century learning facility and positively impacting students’ lives for decades to come,” said Ramos.

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BOULDER, Colo.—Property development firm Landmark Properties is developing a 15-acre site adjacent to the University of Colorado Boulder campus, which will soon be the home to The Standard at Boulder, a 936-bed student housing complex that also entails a six-acre “green space.”�� The developer’s own Landmark Construction arm will build the housing building, located at 1345 28^th Street, from a design by the Denver-based architect Shears Adkins Rockmore—also known as SAR+.

Prior to constructing the 447,000-square-foot residential building, Landmark will first demolish the Harvest House Hotel, which exists on the same site.�� When completed, The Standard will feature 303 student apartments across its four stories in various floor plans from studio to four bedrooms.�� Some living units will have private balconies, and the building will also offer nearly 30,000 square feet of various amenities including rooftop decks, study lounges, a club room and nearly 350 parking spaces that include electric vehicle charging stations.

Landmark’s plans entail the incorporation of various green spaces as well, encompassing 6 acres adjacent to Boulder Creek.�� The developer will also enhance parts of Boulder Creek Path, which stretches from the campus into downtown Boulder’s entertainment and dining district.�� Various seating areas and other amenities for the green space are planned.

“The Boulder market in general has had a shortage of new housing supply, and the university housing market specifically has been especially supply-constrained,” Wes Rogers, president and CEO of Landmark Properties, said of his company’s work at CU Boulder.�� “The location presented the perfect opportunity to bring much-needed student housing to the area while creating a highly unique six-acre public greenspace adjacent to Boulder Creek and the Boulder Creek Path.

“We were drawn to this site because of its proximity to the CU Boulder campus and the convenient access to a variety of built-in neighborhood amenities.”

Construction is anticipated to be complete in time for the Fall 2027 academic term.

“At Landmark, we pride ourselves in providing a great experience to our customers at each of our properties, and that experience begins at the construction stage,” Rob Amaya, project manager with Landmark Construction, said in a subsequent statement emailed to ����ӰԺ.�� “That is especially true of our Boulder project, where our team and the City have worked tirelessly to coordinate construction activities on site.”

“It’s not every day that we have the opportunity to include such an incredible amount of green space for resident and public use,” added Rogers.�� “And, to do so while also providing new housing options for CU Boulder students makes this deal a true win-win for students and the community at large.”

Landmark specializes in construction, development and operation of high-end residential communities.�� The company is based in Athens, Georgia, with another office in Atlanta.�� Their portfolio entails over 70,000 beds at 115 residential communities.

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HESPERIA, Calif.—General contractor Erickson-Hall Construction Co., along with designer DLR Group, has commenced work on the new Hesperia High School Event Center. The project for the Hesperia Unified School District involves crafting a ground-up 35,000-square-foot facility that will have space to host athletic competitions as well as other events. The district serves the High Desert community of Hesperia, encompassing children from some 140 square miles.

Inside the new Event Center will be a modern stage and 500 spectator seats. In addition to the public gathering space itself, the Event Center will also have classrooms, multi-use spaces and other facilities that will be useful to both the school and the surrounding community. On the outside, Erickson-Hall’s work encompasses re-landscaping the surrounding turf, relocating the school’s existing tennis courts and various other external site work.

The Event Center project is also aimed at equity, with the Hesperia Unified School District aiming to increase opportunities for students who might not have access to them otherwise. Accordingly, the district is making strides toward reaching out to students with disabilities, those who are still learning English, as well as students from low-income homes. Another key element of the district improvement plan is to ensure that mental-health services are part of the high school’s improvement.

Hesperia Unified School District Superintendent David Olney spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony of the collaboration the district enjoys with Erickson-Hall. Olney described the Event Center project as “transformative” for the entire student community.

“The Hesperia High School Event Center will be a cornerstone for academic and community growth, offering a dynamic space that fosters creativity, learning and engagement for both students and the wider community.”

“The Event Center is unique because it introduces a whole different avenue of opportunity for not just the students but also the community,” added president of Erickson-Hall Mat Gates. “The flex area is a prime example of this because it is a multi-functional space for the community to enjoy.

In a subsequent statement emailed to ����ӰԺ about the construction progress, Erickson-Hall Construction Project Executive David Irwin said the contractor has already achieved two significant milestones by demolishing the old tennis courts as well as prepping the replacement courts, which Irwin said will be ready for the upcoming season.

“After this rainy season, we look forward to getting the masonry and structural steel operations started,” Irwin said of the contractor’s work beyond the courts.

Erickson-Hall has successfully delivered $1.5 billion worth of both college and K-12 construction work. The firm offers such services as construction management, preconstruction, design-build and lease-lendback. A Southern California mainstay since 1998, Erickson-Hall operates from offices in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties.

“We are proud to deliver a facility that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of Hesperia Unified School District and the Hesperia community,” said Gates.

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MENDOCINO, Calif.—Mendocino Unified School District (MUSD) recently marked the completion of a near-total reconstruction and modernization of Mendocino High School (MHS). Designed by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and built by Lathrop Construction Associates, with construction management services provided by Donald Alameida, the project incorporated not only a thorough updating of educational and student spaces, but also energy conservation and all-electric features that will be paired with renewable energy sources added to campus in future phases.

“We are delighted that beyond meeting essential educational and environmental criteria, the redesign of the building gave us a campus that blends beautifully into the townscape of our historic community,” said MHS Principal Tobin Hahn. “The ideals that have exemplified Mendocino High School through the decades – collaboration, relationships, diverse academic offerings and surrounding natural beauty – were all incorporated into the redesign. We are grateful to our thoughtful, creative project team for delivering a school that will embody these ideals into the future.”

The “down-to-the-studs” modernization project has completely transformed MHS’s 1940s main campus building, along with major clean energy upgrades. All fossil fuel-powered equipment was removed from the building. Electric heat pumps replaced the diesel boiler and propane water heaters. Electric cooktops and ovens replaced the kitchen’s gas-powered equipment. The clean energy upgrades make these main campus components function as carbon neutral. MUSD has plans for an on-site array of solar panels and battery backup system, which will be developed in a future phase, and at that point, the entire campus will achieve carbon neutrality.

Robust wall and roof insulation, new double-glazed windows and modern roofing materials minimize power requirements for indoor temperature control. Mechanical and plumbing infrastructure was also replaced with low-water-use fixtures and landscape irrigation, in addition to integrating smart lighting that adjusts to ambient light levels.

Mark Quattrocchi, FAIA, Founding Principal of education architecture firm QKA and an MHS alumni has been involved in the district’s master planning and served as the design lead for over 35 years. He said, “This is the most significant MHS campus improvement project since 1940, and it holds particular meaning for me as a former student and district architect since 1989. I applaud the district – and the community’s tax-payers – for prioritizing climate-saving technologies and design features. This, coupled with inspired learning spaces that will benefit students’ educational experiences for decades to come, makes MHS a true passion project for all involved.”

The revitalization of the original 21,000-square-foot main MHS building is the first phase of an overall project that will ultimately provide facility improvements to all buildings on the campus. Inside the building, inefficient chopped-up spaces gave way to improved and properly sized learning environments including breakout spaces, new data systems and technology needs, and connections to outdoor learning environments. Two new science labs were created with modern casework and shared preparation space. Equipped with folding glass walls, a new Student Union will now be the site of events and gatherings. Adjacent to the Student Union, a new kitchen replaces an outdated cafeteria, which will be significantly improved and repurposed for a new culinary arts space in an upcoming phase of the modernization project. Centrally located, it is directly connected to an outdoor quad with magnificent ocean views.

The $15 million Phase 1 project was funded thanks to voters’ passage of Measure H in 2020. Phase 2, which began construction last fall, includes renovating MHS’s gym and a Tech Center building, which will house career technical education programs, including media, art and engineering studies.

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COLLEGE PARK, Md.—Architecture and design firm Cooper Robertson has revealed plans for a new campus expansion at the University of Maryland. The new facilities plan results from an 18-month community engagement process with students, staff and community stakeholders to help move the college campus into its next viable phase, which includes green spaces and more pedestrian thoroughfares.

Looking ahead at the next generation, Cooper Robertson’s planning includes identifying development capacity and upgrading those facilities that already exist on the campus. The college aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2025, and improving multimodal transportation options given there will be five additional metro rail stations soon to debut near the campus itself.

“This plan builds on the University of Maryland’s role as an ambitious, forward-looking, and value-driven academic institution,” Cooper Robertson partner Mike Aziz said of the master plan for UMD. Aziz, himself a UMD alum, said that his alma mater is “setting a highly sustainable and lasting directive for the ultimate success of today’s and tomorrow’s students.”

Via the collaborations between the university and the various stakeholders, the school has come up with a wish list of projects to be tackled. This includes improving space and building performance for existing buildings as well as constructing new research facilities. The master plan also calls for a campus-wide “Innovation Walk” with open spaces and various renovated buildings, as well as biking and walking paths that connect areas both on and off the main campus. Furthermore, campus streets will be redesigned so that motor vehicles as well as scooters and bicycles connect key points on the campus while prioritizing pedestrian accessibility.

“Our Campus Facilities Plan is more than just a blueprint for development; it’s a commitment to our university’s holistic growth,” UMD President Darryll J. Pines said in an earlier statement. “This vision, fueled by input from our diverse community, signifies our dedication to creating environments where every student can thrive, learn and lead.”

In a subsequent statement emailed to ����ӰԺ, Aziz of Cooper Robertson said that decarbonization is one of the key tenets of his firm’s plans for UMD as the school aims to move away from fossil fuels.

“Our strategy for achieving this centers on a phased shift from a centralized steam plant towards district-scale electrification,” Aziz said. “The idea is to combine satellite utility buildings with a large-scale geothermal system, alongside deep energy retrofits on existing buildings and a focus on very high levels of energy efficiency for new buildings. There are a lot of moving pieces in this strategy, but we think the environmental — and operational — benefits are well worth the effort.”

No general contractor has yet been announced for this master plan.

Cooper Robertson’s recent educational work includes expansions at George Washington and Georgia State, as well as other renovations at Caltech, Yale, Georgetown, Duke Medical School, Ohio State and the University of Delaware.

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RIVERSIDE, Calif.—Architect Solomon Cordwell Buenz and general contractor McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. are pressing forward on the $285 million North District Phase 2 Student Housing Development at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). The 424,000-square-foot project is meant to address a dearth of affordable housing at both UCR and the nearby Riverside Community College District (RCCD), which collectively have seen a tremendous increases in recent enrollment.

“We can’t solve all the problems that are challenges for students, but we can solve those two by bringing students to the campus, letting them live here, wear their UCR or RCC T-shirt, and just be part of the campus,” Kim Wilcox, chancellor of UCR, said of the project work. “It breaks down a barrier and, aside from the housing, it provides [students] with a different sense of themselves.”

The development will offer 429 single- and double-occupancy apartments ranging from one to four bedrooms. Each living unit will offer a kitchen and living room space, high-speed Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Communal spaces will include dedicated study areas as well as a café/market, recreational fields and a public park.

The project, funded partially by the State Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program, increases the number of available student beds at UCR and RCC to 1,568.

“The McCarthy team is proud to be part of this revolutionary project, which helps bridge the gap between larger universities and community colleges,” said Sarah Carr, vice president of McCarthy. “This housing development will provide affordable options that will enhance graduation rates not only for UCR students, but for Riverside City College students as well—a benefit to the entire community.”

Wolde-Ab Isaac, RCCD chancellor, added that this joint housing project “is meticulously and intentionally designed to break persistent cultural and psychological barriers that many of our first-generation and low-income students experience through a process of total immersion into the UC system.

“My hope is this unique partnership and innovative approach will serve as a model for others to emulate around the state.”

The first students are anticipated to commence moving into the North District Phase 2 Student Housing Development sometime in 2025.

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., the oldest privately held national construction company in the United States. Based in St. Louis, the general contracting firm operates from California locations including Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Jose, San Diego, Newport Beach and San Francisco. The firm, which is 100-percent employee-owned, is ranked the country’s 19th largest domestic building by ENR, and employs over 6,000 people.

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BRONX, N.Y.—The Urban Dove Team II Charter School has opened its new transfer high school at 671 Prospect Avenue in the Woodstock section of the Bronx. Montroy DeMarco Architecture designed the school building’s renovation and expansion. Urban Dove is an innovative charter school focused on meeting the needs of students who are overage- and under-credited and off-track to graduate high school on schedule.

Urban Dove, established by Founder and Executive Director Jai Nanda, also operates a high school in Brooklyn, located at 1256 East 21st Street. The new school, named Urban Dove Team II Bronx, houses 300 students and 70 staff, who have relocated from a former location at 860 Forest Avenue in the Bronx.

The Bronx property owner Nivneh Capital Group/The Iconic Group and architect Montroy DeMarco Architecture (MDA) created the new campus for the charter school by combining, redeveloping, and expanding three adjacent commercial buildings within the Prospect Avenue site. Urban Dove rented the redeveloped property through a long-term lease and named it the Evan Leif Educational Campus in honor of one of the donors supporting the organization.

Nanda, a former teacher and basketball coach, recognized the positive impact team sports have on youth both inside and outside the classroom. He developed the Urban Dove program to utilize sports to teach at-risk teens the critical life skills needed to succeed. Two campuses are located in Brooklyn and in the Bronx.

“We have created a safe, supportive educational model that is successfully helping students get back on track to graduation,” said Nanda. “Our incredible students deserve an incredible facility, and we are so excited about this brand new, first class building where our students can continue to grow and learn. Montroy DeMarco Architecture designed a beautiful new school that will serve our Bronx students and faculty for years to come,” he added.

“The redevelopment included the gut rehabilitation of the adjoining three-story buildings and the addition of a fourth floor, to accommodate the needs of the growing school. We are very proud to include the Urban Dove Team Charter School among our tenants and to contribute to the improvement of the Woodstock neighborhood,” shared Hillel Fischman, Principal of The Iconic Group.

“This 39,000-square foot project combined three structures into one cohesive building that both meets the programmatic needs of Urban Dove and positively impacts the neighborhood by renovating previously underutilized buildings,” said Daniel Montroy, AIA, MDA Principal. “The three adjoining structures originally totaled 34,000 square feet, while the new fourth floor expansion added 5,000 square feet. A 1,900-square foot area on the street level is set aside for retail use,” he added.

Each Urban Dove student enrolls in a three-year personalized instructional program that leads to a high school diploma, develops job skills, and provides a foundation for higher education. Students spend 2.5 hours per day participating in sports, nutrition, and fitness activities that develop teamwork, healthy competition, and self-confidence. Coaches use sports to help students focus, manage emotions, and becomes positive members of a community.

The renovation and expansion project team also included structural engineer KPFF Consulting Engineers Inc., MEP engineer A&D Engineering LLP, and general contractor NY Major Construction & Development.

The school site consists of three adjacent buildings on Prospect Avenue, facing east between 152nd and 155th Streets that have been combined into one lot. The site is within a short walking distance of the Prospect Avenue and Jackson Avenue subway stations on the Number 2 and 5 lines and the Longwood Avenue station on the Number 6 line.

Constructed around 1915, the buildings have masonry facades, which have been revised and architecturally unified during the renovation. The center building is steel framed, while the flanking building have timber structures. Prior to the redevelopment, the front façade of the southern building had been substantially concealed with both stucco and cultured stone, and original terra cotta ornamentation has been covered with paint. However, the front façades of the other two buildings were in relatively good condition, although the street levels had been modified in the past with the addition of retail storefronts and some brick has been painted.

Windows on the second and third floors are framed with monumental brick pilasters and triple rowlock arch surrounds with ornamental terra cotta and brick keystones, which have been retained during the renovation. The project team also preserved original decorative insets of dogtooth courses framed with rowlock brick borders that provide visual interest between the third-floor windows. A projected brick frieze runs below the roofline. The façade is capped with a terra cotta band and open brickwork cornice.

Prior to the conversion into the school, the buildings had been occupied by a variety of commercial and manufacturing uses, including most recently a billiards café and laundromat on the street level, and a church and dance hall on the upper floors.

It was essential for the new plan to include a high school regulation size basketball court, dance studio, and weight room to address the athletics component of the curriculum as well as comfortable classrooms for academics. MDA has completely redesigned the buildings to meet these requirements.

Utilizing the features of the existing façade, the school’s street level main entrance is now located at the center of the combined and unified structure, within an existing terra cotta surround. A new stairway and elevator provide vertical access to the other floors. Offices and five classrooms are located on the street level, and the layout has been configured to accommodate the retail component occupying the northeast corner. A large dance and yoga studio, a weight room, and a cafeteria occupy a majority of the cellar, which also houses a staff lounge, nurse’s office, and support spaces.

Creating the basketball court required major renovation and structural redevelopment work. The court was built on the second floor in the northern portion of the building. In order to obtain enough floor space for the court, the demising wall between the central and north buildings was removed and a new partition wall was built to divide the court from the remainder of both floors. The third floor above the court has also been removed to provide the required 25-foot vertical clearance. KPFF designed wide span steel trusses above the court to carry the load of the new fourth floor and roof above.

The remainders of the second and third floors house a total of five classrooms and several offices. Vision panels in the third-floor corridor provide a view into the court below. A new fourth floor addition features five additional classrooms, offices, and bullpens. The addition was constructed with light gauge framing and clad with EIFS (external insulation finishing system).

The basketball court features a hardwood floor installed over sleepers and shock absorbers to provide player comfort and sports performance properties. Lights are high efficiency LED fixtures.

In addition to serving students and faculty, the building has also become an asset to the community, as Urban Dove has made the basketball court available for community use outside of school hours. In addition, the renovated front façade will create a focal point that will enliven this portion of Prospect Avenue.

Nivneh Capital Group, in collaboration with The Iconic Group, partnered on a mission to acquire, develop or redevelop, and operate a highly select and diverse portfolio of commercial, residential, and industrial rental properties in and around New York City. By focusing on well-situated land and underperforming structures of all use-groups, the two firms concentrate on providing these assets the operational expertise, attention, funding, and improvements they require to appreciate in value.

Based in New York City, Montroy DeMarco Architecture (MDA) is a prominent architecture and planning firm predominantly serving office, commercial, institutional, retail, multi-family, senior housing, and hospitality markets in the greater New York area. MDA’s affiliate Montroy Andersen DeMarco (MADGI) provides interior design services to commercial, institutional, and multi-family clients.

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