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- 5 EAST 57TH STREET |SCOPE . fire protection system pursuant to Local Law 26 requirements
5 EAST 57TH STREET SCOPE . fire protection system pursuant to Local Law 26 requirements PROJECT COST . Home / Commercial 5 EAST 57TH STREET ARCHITECT . PROJECT SIZE . 49,000 SF PROJECT COST . SCOPE . fire protection system pursuant to Local Law 26 requirements Go Go 5 East 57th Street is an existing 22-storey 49,000 SF commercial high rise building. The stretch of East 57th Street was once an exclusive residential neighborhood with opulent mansions owned by bankers and industrialists. But by early century, most of the millionaires moved further uptown and the area greatly changed. Number 5 was among 14 sites acquired by William Randolph Hearst and Arthur Brisbane in 1925 with a view to erect a group of commercial structures along east 57th and east 54th streets. The plans for a 247-foot-tall tower were drawn up in 1926 by a prolific New York city architect Emery Roth. The building was designed as of a mix of Gothic and Art Deco style with exaggerated setbacks. In June 2004, the 1968 NYC Building Code was amended with the signing of Local Law 26 of 2004. The new law mandated retroactive requirements for a full system of automatic sprinklers to be installed in office buildings 100 feet or more in height and buildings classified in occupancy group E 100 feet or more in height. Altera Engineering was retained by the owners of 5 East 57th Street to retrofit the building with a modern fire protection system pursuant to Local Law 26 requirements. The first challenge had to do with an interpretation of the mandate in a way as to not burden the owners with onerous system design. In other words, any proposed system had to be right-sized for the project and in accordance with NFPA 13 and NFPA 20. Another- greater- challenge was in fitting a new fire pump, all new sprinkler risers, piping, and heads into the existing shafts, ceilings and walls, while carrying out the work around the existing rent paying tenants. Following a comprehensive survey, Altera Engineering engineers worked with the property manager to develop a floor-by-floor phasing schedule. Fire pump and main riser were installed in phase I. Floor fit outs were carried out in subsequent phases as the floors became accessible.
- 621 WEST 55TH STREET |SCOPE . full MEP design and construction administration services
621 WEST 55TH STREET SCOPE . full MEP design and construction administration services PROJECT COST . Home / Commercial 621 WEST 55TH STREET ARCHITECT . PROJECT SIZE . 22,000 SF PROJECT COST . SCOPE . full MEP design and construction administration services Go Go A 22,000 square foot ground up high rise commercial office building in New York city. This boutique building contains 8 full floor offices above a 3-level parking garage. 621 West 55th Street is being designed to meet US Passive House Institute standards for energy efficiency. Passive House standard emphasizes air-tight, continuously insulated building envelope without thermal bridges, high performance windows and balanced heat and moisture recovery ventilation. Passive House buildings are expected to consume 75-90% less energy than traditional buildings. The biggest challenge for MEP systems was to minimize the impact of the high rise MEP system requirements on an relatively small floor plate (2,400 SF). A fire protection tank, standpipe, generator, ventilation systems all eat up valuable floor area and the project becomes less financially viable. The Altera Engineering team worked closely with the architect to optimize MEP systems to achieve the largest possible usable area. The building is cooled and heated with a variable-refrigerant system. Packaged rooftop energy recovery ventilator filtered and conditioned fresh air directly into each office in a continuous ventilation cycle. MEP systems include a 150-kW emergency generator with a diesel tank, an underground suction tank for fire protection, and reversible air-flow parking garage exhaust system with post-fire smoke purge functionality.
- EAST TREMONT COMMUNITY DISTRICT 6, BRONX
The project involves the infill development of three city owned blocks into affordable rental housing as part of the East Tremont Cluster project. This initiative aims to create three new affordable multi-family rental buildings on currently vacant sites in the Bronx. East Tremont is a neighborhood in the western Bronx, New York City, known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and working-class roots. It is part of Community District 6 and is bordered by the Cross Bronx Expressway to the south, Bronx Park to the east, and Third Avenue to the west. Between the 1940s and 1970s, East Tremont underwent major demographic shifts. A turning point came with the construction of the Cross Bronx Expressway, initiated by urban planner Robert Moses in the late 1940s. The highway displaced thousands of residents and split neighborhoods apart, leading to economic decline and urban decay. Many middle-class families moved to the suburbs, and by the 1970s and 1980s, the area faced rising crime and poverty. Starting in the 1990s, New York City launched major affordable housing programs to revitalize East Tremont and surrounding Bronx neighborhoods. Key initiatives included: -NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) projects, which renovated or built thousands of affordable units. -Nehemiah Housing Program, which helped construct new affordable homes. -Public-private partnerships with nonprofit developers to convert abandoned buildings into viable housing. -New affordable housing developments, including those funded by HPD’s Neighborhood Construction Program (NCP). -Infrastructure improvements, such as better transit options and street enhancements. -Small business growth, with more restaurants, shops, and markets opening to serve the growing population. -Green space restoration, with nearby Bronx Park and Crotona Park receiving upgrades. The three development sites are located at 907 East 175th Street, 1900 Marmion Avenue, and 706 Fairmount Place. The proposed developments will collectively produce approximately 64 affordable rental units and one superintendent’s unit, totaling around 53,515 square feet of residential floor area. Of the 63 affordable units, approximately 16 will be designated as Affordable Independent Residences for Seniors (AIRS). Additionally, 10% of the total residences will be reserved for formerly homeless families and individuals. The project is funded through HPD’s Neighborhood Construction Program (NCP), which provides financing for the construction of infill rental housing with up to 30 units affordable to low-moderate, and middle income households. Home / Multifamily EAST TREMONT COMMUNITY DISTRICT 6, BRONX ARCHITECT . Jonathan Kirschenfeld Architect PC PROJECT SIZE . 3 Buildings, 64 total rental units PROJECT COST . $46 million SCOPE . Design, approvals and construction administration of mechanical, plumbing, sprinkler, electrical and fire alarm systems. The biggest engineering challenge for projects of this size is developing all - electric MEP systems that minimize capital costs while exceeding the energy performance requirements of the funding agency. Go Go The project involves the infill development of three city owned blocks into affordable rental housing as part of the East Tremont Cluster project. This initiative aims to create three new affordable multi-family rental buildings on currently vacant sites in the Bronx. East Tremont is a neighborhood in the western Bronx, New York City, known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and working-class roots. It is part of Community District 6 and is bordered by the Cross Bronx Expressway to the south, Bronx Park to the east, and Third Avenue to the west. Between the 1940s and 1970s, East Tremont underwent major demographic shifts. A turning point came with the construction of the Cross Bronx Expressway, initiated by urban planner Robert Moses in the late 1940s. The highway displaced thousands of residents and split neighborhoods apart, leading to economic decline and urban decay. Many middle-class families moved to the suburbs, and by the 1970s and 1980s, the area faced rising crime and poverty. Starting in the 1990s, New York City launched major affordable housing programs to revitalize East Tremont and surrounding Bronx neighborhoods. Key initiatives included: -NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) projects, which renovated or built thousands of affordable units. -Nehemiah Housing Program, which helped construct new affordable homes. -Public-private partnerships with nonprofit developers to convert abandoned buildings into viable housing. -New affordable housing developments, including those funded by HPD’s Neighborhood Construction Program (NCP). -Infrastructure improvements, such as better transit options and street enhancements. -Small business growth, with more restaurants, shops, and markets opening to serve the growing population. -Green space restoration, with nearby Bronx Park and Crotona Park receiving upgrades. The three development sites are located at 907 East 175th Street, 1900 Marmion Avenue, and 706 Fairmount Place. The proposed developments will collectively produce approximately 64 affordable rental units and one superintendent’s unit, totaling around 53,515 square feet of residential floor area. Of the 63 affordable units, approximately 16 will be designated as Affordable Independent Residences for Seniors (AIRS). Additionally, 10% of the total residences will be reserved for formerly homeless families and individuals. The project is funded through HPD’s Neighborhood Construction Program (NCP), which provides financing for the construction of infill rental housing with up to 30 units affordable to low-moderate, and middle income households.
Home / Landmarks BROOKLYN ROASTING COMPANY ARCHITECT . Cypher Design PROJECT SIZE . 16,000 SF PROJECT COST . SCOPE . Full MEP design and construction administration services. HVAC, sprinkler, plumbing and electrical power design and construction administration Go Go BROOKLYN NAVY YARD When an established Brooklyn based coffee company decided to consolidate its roasting and shipping under one roof, they retained Altera Engineering to help them bring their vision to reality. Founded in 2009 in a Brooklyn loft, artisanal coffee purveyor- Brooklyn Roasting Company- has consistently been ranked as top 5 coffee places in Brooklyn (Yelp), one of 10 best coffee shops on New York City (Gothamist) and best local brew of 2015 (Gothamist). BRC prides itself on sourcing locally grown, organic fair trade coffee beans. It is no surprise they decided to locally source engineering services as well. BRC came to Altera Engineering because their previous consultant was not responsive to their needs and was too expensive. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a former US Navy shipbuilding yard spanning 300 acres on the East River in Wallabout Basin. Following its closure in the mid 60’s, the yard was re-opened in 1969 as an industrial park. Since 1989, the site has seen economic development spurred by the city’s investment. Today, more than 200 businesses operate at the yard and employ about 5,000 people. Brooklyn Roasting Company decided to take up a 16,000 SF space in the Navy Yard to consolidate its roasting operations. On most projects, clients come to their engineers with defined design criteria. In the case of BRC, the client did not know how to best program the their new facility. There were plans for an office, packing, roasting, and shipping and even performance space functions. Our engineers worked closely with the client and architect to learn BRC’s business model, ins and outs of a coffee roasting process and the client’s future plans in order to help the client define present and future performance requirements of the space. Altera Engineering was retained to provide consulting, engineering design and construction administration services for BRC’s new facility. The project involved specialty HVAC systems for coffee roasting production plant. Altera Engineering prepared documents for State Historic Preservation Office filing.
Home / Landmarks 309 WEST 86TH STREET ARCHITECT . PROJECT SIZE . PROJECT COST . SCOPE . assisted with securing Landmarks Preservation Commission approval for installation of rooftop equipment Go Go Development in the Riverside-West End Historic District Extension I went through several phases in the years between the 1880s and 1930s. The earliest phase between roughly 1885 and 1900 saw the construction of speculatively built row houses and flats for the middle and upper classes. By the turn of the century, developers began to focus on constructing larger apartment buildings as increasing construction costs ended row house construction, and the newly opened IRT on Broadway made the Upper West Side more accessible to the city’s expanding population. Legislation such as the 1901 Tenement House Act, the 1916 zoning ordinance, and the 1929 Multiple Dwelling Law contributed to the transformation in the scale of the streetscapes of West End Avenue, Riverside Drive, and West 79th and West 86th Streets where row houses and smaller buildings were replaced by newer, larger buildings.[1] 309-311 West 86th Street was commissioned as a hotel in 1912 by Weymer Hinckley Waitt- a railroad engineer turned hotelier, whose company later built the Weylin Hotel on Madison Avenue. The 12-story 40,000 square foot building was designed by Schwartz & Gross and completed in October of 1914 at a cost of $250,000. Originally known as Hotel Wayne until 1953 when it was converted into the Waldorf Nursing Home. In 1962 it became a residence club for senior citizens. Following interior alterations in 1979 the building was reconverted into apartments and became a co-op known as Stetson House. In 1984 John F Kennedy Jr. and Robert Littell moved in together into a 2-bedroom sublet at 309 West 86th Street. 309 West 86th Street is one of several Altera Engineering projects along the historic West End Avenue 347 West End and 915 West End. Altera Engineering was retained to provide engineering design and consulting services for the owners of the penthouse apartment. The project involved a full floor gut renovation. [1]Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), Riverside-West End Historic District Extension I Designation Report (LP-2463)
Home / Residential ST KITTS VILLA ARCHITECT . Architecture in Formation PROJECT SIZE . PROJECT COST . SCOPE . Design, approvals and construction administration of mechanical, plumbing, sprinkler, electrical and fire alarm systems. Go ST KITTS VILLA St. Kitts, part of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, is known for luxury villas, often beachfront or hillside, catering to vacationers, investors, and those seeking citizenship-by-investment properties. These villas are typically modern, with amenities like private pools, ocean views, and proximity to attractions like Frigate Bay, Christophe Harbour, or the Royal St. Kitts Golf Course.
- 2031 EASTERN PARKWAY
The Eastern Parkway project attempts a novel combination of 100% deeply affordable housing with the most forward-thinking sustainability and decarbonization strategy possible. In partnership with The Doe Fund, we hope this project will evolve the paradigm for the nexus of housing affordability, environmental justice, community benefits and design. With an 80-foot wide freight train line bisecting the middle of the site, Eastern Parkway presents a unique opportunity to utilize a creative land use approach to transform an underutilized parking lot into a large-scale project that addresses a number of goals expressed by the local community. Altera Engineering is working with the design and construction teams and The Doe Fund to transform a manufacturing-zoned site presently used to park buses into a highly sustainable, decarbonized 20-story building consisting of 100% affordable housing at the deepest levels of Area Median Income. Home / Multifamily 2031 EASTERN PARKWAY ARCHITECT . SLCE Architects PROJECT SIZE . 314,000 SF SCOPE . Full MEP design, and construction administration services, energy modeling and sustainability consulting services, commissioning. HVAC, sprinkler, plumbing and electrical power, fire alarm design and construction administration, sustainability, façade optimization, energy modeling Go Go The Eastern Parkway project attempts a novel combination of 100% deeply affordable housing with the most forward-thinking sustainability and decarbonization strategy possible. In partnership with The Doe Fund, we hope this project will evolve the paradigm for the nexus of housing affordability, environmental justice, community benefits and design. With an 80-foot wide freight train line bisecting the middle of the site, Eastern Parkway presents a unique opportunity to utilize a creative land use approach to transform an underutilized parking lot into a large-scale project that addresses a number of goals expressed by the local community. Altera Engineering is working with the design and construction teams and The Doe Fund to transform a manufacturing-zoned site presently used to park buses into a highly sustainable, decarbonized 20-story building consisting of 100% affordable housing at the deepest levels of Area Median Income.
- ALEXIS BITTAR INC, INDUSTRY CITY |SCOPE . Assisted client with negotiation of commercial lease term, provided full MEP design and construction administration services, carried out NYC Special and Progress Inspections
ALEXIS BITTAR INC, INDUSTRY CITY SCOPE . Assisted client with negotiation of commercial lease term, provided full MEP design and construction administration services, carried out NYC Special and Progress Inspections PROJECT COST . $1,750,000 Home / Commercial ALEXIS BITTAR INC, INDUSTRY CITY ARCHITECT . PROJECT SIZE . 12,000 GSF PROJECT COST . $1,750,000 SCOPE . Assisted client with negotiation of commercial lease term, provided full MEP design and construction administration services, carried out NYC Special and Progress Inspections Go Go Founded in 1988, Alexis Bittar INC. is the leading premium designer jewelry brand with a reputation for quality, craftsmanship and innovation. Described as “one of the most innovative jewelry designers of the 21st Century”, Alexis Bittar’s designs act as cult favorites of A-List celebrities including Cameron Diaz, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys and Whitney Houston; as well as influential fashion icons Iris Apfel and Karl Lagerfeld. In 2004, Alexis Bittar won the accessories council’s “Rising Star” award and became a member of the council of fashion designers of America. Alexis Bittar jewelry is featured in Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s. The Company also operates seven Alexis Bittar boutiques in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. Industry City (originally known as Bush Terminal) is a 16-building, 6 million square foot industrial complex in Sunset Park, Brooklyn that was founded in 1895 by Irving T. Bush. The twelve manufacturing buildings had been completed by 1918 and housed about 300 companies. For over eighty years, the complex served as one of the largest integrated cargo and manufacturing sites in the word. At its peak during the industrial height of the early 20th Century, nearly 25,000 workers went to work at the complex every day. Until 1974 Bush Terminal was an active port facility. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Bush Terminal housed the highest concentration of garment manufacturers in New York City outside of Manhattan. Today the complex is home to a wide range of tenants including 3-D printer maker Makerbot and the Brooklyn Nets. Altera Engineering was retained to provide engineering design and consulting services for Alexis Bittar’s new facility. Altera Engineering's team was brought in at an early stage of the process, during lease negotiations, to assist the architect and the client in formulating and developing a strategy that meets current and growing production needs. The project involved a full floor gut renovation. The design incorporates mechanical ventilation system for jewelry making process and robust power distribution to all production work stations.
- GALLANT BUILDING |SCOPE . Design, approvals and construction administration of mechanical, plumbing, sprinkler, electrical and fire alarm systems.
GALLANT BUILDING SCOPE . Design, approvals and construction administration of mechanical, plumbing, sprinkler, electrical and fire alarm systems. PROJECT COST . Home / Commercial GALLANT BUILDING ARCHITECT . PROJECT SIZE . PROJECT COST . SCOPE . Design, approvals and construction administration of mechanical, plumbing, sprinkler, electrical and fire alarm systems. Go Go SCOPE . Design, approvals and construction administration of mechanical, plumbing, sprinkler, electrical and fire alarm systems.
- ROGERS AVENUE OFFICE BUILDING |SCOPE . Full MEP/FP design
ROGERS AVENUE OFFICE BUILDING SCOPE . Full MEP/FP design PROJECT COST . Home / Commercial ROGERS AVENUE OFFICE BUILDING ARCHITECT . Z Proekt PROJECT SIZE . PROJECT COST . SCOPE . Full MEP/FP design Go Go The building at 1020 Rogers Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11226, known as The Veronica, is a seven-story mixed-use development in the Flatbush neighborhood, completed in 2025. Here are key details: Structure and Use: It has 78 units, primarily residential, with 75 residences and commercial spaces on the ground floor. The building includes retail and office spaces, with current leasing options for 1,720 to 9,871 square feet, featuring central HVAC and floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s designed by Zproekt Architects and developed by Oleg Krasnitsky under 1020 Rogers Avenue LLC. Residential: An affordable housing lottery launched for 23 units targeting residents at 130% of the area median income (AMI), with eligible incomes ranging from $72,000 to $218,010. No units are currently listed as available for rent or sale. Commercial: The property offers high-traffic exposure at the corner of Rogers Avenue and Beverley Road, near major retailers like Target, Chase Bank, and Dunkin’. It’s close to public transit, including the B49 bus and 2/5 subway lines. History: The site was previously vacant land sold for $2,200,000 in September 2016, zoned R6 for residential development with a 2.43 floor area ratio (FAR). It was marketed as ideal for condos, apartments, or townhouses. Amenities and Features: Includes a 13-car parking garage and bike storage. The building is noted for its modern design and proximity to schools, parks, and transit hubs like Gates Avenue Station (J/Z trains).
- 309 WEST 86TH STREET
Development in the Riverside-West End Historic District Extension I went through several phases in the years between the 1880s and 1930s. The earliest phase between roughly 1885 and 1900 saw the construction of speculatively built row houses and flats for the middle and upper classes. By the turn of the century, developers began to focus on constructing larger apartment buildings as increasing construction costs ended row house construction, and the newly opened IRT on Broadway made the Upper West Side more accessible to the city’s expanding population. Legislation such as the 1901 Tenement House Act, the 1916 zoning ordinance, and the 1929 Multiple Dwelling Law contributed to the transformation in the scale of the streetscapes of West End Avenue, Riverside Drive, and West 79th and West 86th Streets where row houses and smaller buildings were replaced by newer, larger buildings.[1] 309-311 West 86th Street was commissioned as a hotel in 1912 by Weymer Hinckley Waitt- a railroad engineer turned hotelier, whose company later built the Weylin Hotel on Madison Avenue. The 12-story 40,000 square foot building was designed by Schwartz Gross and completed in October of 1914 at a cost of $250,000. Originally known as Hotel Wayne until 1953 when it was converted into the Waldorf Nursing Home. In 1962 it became a residence club for senior citizens. Following interior alterations in 1979 the building was reconverted into apartments and became a co-op known as Stetson House. In 1984 John F Kennedy Jr. and Robert Littell moved in together into a 2-bedroom sublet at 309 West 86th Street. 309 West 86th Street is one of several Altera Engineering projects along the historic West End Avenue. Altera Engineering was retained to provide engineering design and consulting services for the owners of the penthouse apartment. The project involved a full floor gut renovation. [1]Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), Riverside-West End Historic District Extension I Designation Report (LP-2463) Home / Multifamily 309 WEST 86TH STREET ARCHITECT . PROJECT SIZE . PROJECT COST . SCOPE . assisted with securing Landmarks Preservation Commission approval for installation of rooftop equipment Go Go Development in the Riverside-West End Historic District Extension I went through several phases in the years between the 1880s and 1930s. The earliest phase between roughly 1885 and 1900 saw the construction of speculatively built row houses and flats for the middle and upper classes. By the turn of the century, developers began to focus on constructing larger apartment buildings as increasing construction costs ended row house construction, and the newly opened IRT on Broadway made the Upper West Side more accessible to the city’s expanding population. Legislation such as the 1901 Tenement House Act, the 1916 zoning ordinance, and the 1929 Multiple Dwelling Law contributed to the transformation in the scale of the streetscapes of West End Avenue, Riverside Drive, and West 79th and West 86th Streets where row houses and smaller buildings were replaced by newer, larger buildings.[1] 309-311 West 86th Street was commissioned as a hotel in 1912 by Weymer Hinckley Waitt- a railroad engineer turned hotelier, whose company later built the Weylin Hotel on Madison Avenue. The 12-story 40,000 square foot building was designed by Schwartz Gross and completed in October of 1914 at a cost of $250,000. Originally known as Hotel Wayne until 1953 when it was converted into the Waldorf Nursing Home. In 1962 it became a residence club for senior citizens. Following interior alterations in 1979 the building was reconverted into apartments and became a co-op known as Stetson House. In 1984 John F Kennedy Jr. and Robert Littell moved in together into a 2-bedroom sublet at 309 West 86th Street. 309 West 86th Street is one of several Altera Engineering projects along the historic West End Avenue. Altera Engineering was retained to provide engineering design and consulting services for the owners of the penthouse apartment. The project involved a full floor gut renovation. [1]Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), Riverside-West End Historic District Extension I Designation Report (LP-2463)
Home / Residential 138 NORTH 1ST STREET, BROOKLYN, NY ARCHITECT . Will Corcoran Architect PROJECT SIZE . About 4,500 SF PROJECT COST . $3 million SCOPE . full MEP design and construction administration services Go 138 NORTH 1ST STREET, BROOKLYN, NY A ground up construction of a luxury single family home in Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. An inaugural project for a nascent developer required careful attention to detail. Altera Engineering worked hand in hand with the architect and developer to craft solutions that worked with the owner’s vision for the building. Altera Engineering efficiently and successfully secured utility connection approvals and assisted the client in resolving filing and approval issues. Altera Engineering consulted the owner on high performance building strategies, such as passive heating and cooling, insulation and envelope air-tightness, intelligent lighting controls, highly efficient domestic water heating and continuous ventilation with energy recovery. With the exception of domestic water heating, the building does not use natural gas or any other fuel for heating, and is cooled and heated with a variable-refrigerant flow system. Highly insulated envelope, and not relying on gas for heating are expected to save 20 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide emissions on an annual basis.







