Restoration of the Fries & Schuele building, an historic department store originally built in 1889, included the adaptation of 36 apartment units on four floors along with first floor retail space of approximately 6,200 square feet.
The original vestibule complete with kiosks, restored ornate plaster ceiling, columns, and original marble remains, though now protected from the elements and enclosed in glass. The red Levanto marble, meant for interior and not exterior use, on the W. 25th Street façade had deteriorated. The pillars were recreated in foam core and faux finished to resemble the original veined marble. New green and white awnings were added to the exterior to create marketplace ambiance. Two elevators were installed in original shafts. One shaft was closed in to house mechanicals and to create spacious walk-in closets. The fourth elevator cab remains, complete with historic detail, as a unique mailroom.
Many of the original columns on the main floor were missing capitals and historic Pompeian-style moldings and plaster were also in disrepair. To replace missing capitals and to provide a perfect match, D-A-S created a mold and used plaster to duplicate the ornamentation.
In addition to being a lobby and mailroom, the first floor also houses the main office, a spacious glassed-in, state-of-the-art fitness facility, laundry facility, public bathrooms, and an open stairwell leading down to a storage area. The baluster and rails are restored and originals. Spiral ductwork is exposed and unpainted. Floors are of neutral ceramic tile.
All 36 apartments feature raised platform bedrooms with windows and exposed ductwork with open kitchens and refinished original maple floors. D-A-S had to meet the challenge of removing sheet vinyl followed by removal of tarpaper to get to the original maple floor.
