125 West End Avenue wanted to:
125 West End Avenue is a 400,000 square-foot property acquired by Taconic in 2019. The space, which was originally developed as a showroom for Chrysler Motor Company, was utilized by Disney/ABC as studios and offices from 1985-2001. Taconic wanted to capitalize on the building’s size (50,000+ square foot floorplates), layout (wide-column spacing, street frontages and access points), ceiling height (13’3” – 16”), and industrial-grade live-load capacity to meet the needs of New York City’s growing life sciences sector. The conversion of 125 West End Avenue will complement Taconic’s nearby Hudson Research Center by providing state-of-the-art, purpose-built research and lab facilities.
Challenges 125 West End Avenue faced
Converting the 3.4-acre site from a former television studio to a state-of-the-art Life Science facility; securing necessary approvals from multiple city agencies; and safely and efficiently upgrading interconnecting building systems, including high-performance façade (external) and mechanical networks (internal).
Capalino Assisted with
- Strategic Planning & Advice
- Government & Community Relations
- Department of Buildings (DOB) change in occupancy & use
- Facilitated permit filings and approvals
- Advised on zoning issues
- Facilitated substantial compliance and modification applications
What we got done
We delivered a purpose-built life sciences lab, featuring specific facilities and infrastructure, that enables Taconic to pursue medical cures, treatments, and technologies in the face of COVID-19 and other health crises. We fostered relationships with local stakeholders, including elected officials and neighboring residents, to enable a smooth development process, and we enhanced the diverse capabilities of the Upper West Side.
