Gene Kaufman Architect to design new Pace University student housing

Gene Kaufman Architect, P.C. (GKA) has been selected by Pace University to design new student housing at 33 Beekman St. for its Manhattan campus, continuing a long relationship between the firm and the 100-year-old-private metropolitan university. The property at the corner of Beekman St. and Williams St. was recently acquired by an international investment group and the planned new building has been leased by Pace University for 700 student residences. GKA's design for the building is its third student residence hall project for Pace. "Our expression of student housing reflects the great diversity of the university's student body as well as the continuous change within that group thanks to the influx of new residents each year. The richness of the population is embodied in the diverse types and patterns of fenestration symbolizing the variety of people and ideas, literally and conceptually," said Gene Kaufman, founder of GKA. "This motif, carried through with multiple materials, systems and colors of the façade, is emblematic of the richness of student life and university study." The project is set to break ground in early 2013. The project is being developed in a joint venture between SL Green, Harel Insurance and the Naftali Group. The partnership acquired the fee interest in the planned development site. David Falk and Kyle Ciminelli from Newmark Knight Frank acted on behalf of Pace in the leasing transaction. About Gene Kaufman Architect Gene Kaufman Architect (GKA), has built a sterling reputation in the real estate and private development arenas for high-caliber and high-impact designs that are both innovative and highly-efficient. For more than 25 years, GKA has cultivated strong, collaborative relationships with some of the most active developers in real estate, helping them realize substantial bottom-line results through thoughtful design. GKA is the most prolific hotel architect in the history of New York City having completed over two dozen new Manhattan hotels over the last 10 years. GKA also specializes in urban developments, notably multi-family residential and adaptive reuse projects as well as new residential, commercial, educational and institutional buildings. Corollary areas of expertise include zoning, land use changes, variances, urban planning and historic restoration. In 2011, GKA joined forces with celebrated modernist master Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects, forming Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman & Associates. GKA and GSKA work collaboratively to extend their reach and provide a full spectrum of architectural services to clients.