The transformation of Manhattan’s historic 20-story U.S. Rubber Building — home to a Nordstrom flagship — was a complex project that demanded precision, creativity, and efficiency. Originally built in 1912 by Carrère & Hastings as a 22-story Beaux-Arts structure, the building had lost its street-level marble facade in 1959, replaced with flat gray granite slabs and aluminum curtain walls. Restoring the building’s architectural character while retrofitting two floors for modern retail required a solution that honored history and met contemporary construction needs. “Our project included gaining two floors for the client’s anticipated flagship store while replacing the existing facade in a manner that would honor the building’s past while looking toward the future,” said Michelle McCormick of CallisonRTKL.

The retrofit included a facade that was designed to match the original Vermont marble of the upper floors, and the installation was completed over three summer months, a testament to meticulous planning and execution. Achieving approval from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission involved months of public hearings and detailed documentation, including original 1912 facade drawings. Full-scale mockups of the cornice profiles and base were delivered in person, demonstrating the team’s commitment to authenticity and craftsmanship.