New York Foundling begins $5.5 million renovation of 30,000 s/f headquarters; Architect is Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel; Constructed by Signature

The New York Foundling is undertaking a $5.5 million interior renovation of 30,000 s/f to modernize its headquarters at 590 Avenue of the Americas. The renovation of the facility - built in the mid 1980s - will result in the Foundling's newfound ability to rent three floors of its building. This rental opportunity is projected to produce over a half million dollars in new revenue that will benefit the children and families of the city. The building has not been renovated in three decades. The architecture firm working on the project is Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel Architects, PC and the construction company is Signature Construction Group, Inc. The project will transform the work environment for staff and the living environment for children. The first floor to be renovated is fully complete. The remaining renovation work is scheduled to be complete by May 2013. It includes: * A four-floor open office plan with break-out "huddle" rooms for private and semi-private meetings. * Private phone booths for urgent, confidential calls. * "Touch down" spaces and bench seating creating a trade-floor-like space and eliminating offices. * A video phone center and open lounge for The Foundling's Deaf and Hard of Hearing program. * A new medical suite for children and families in the child welfare system. * A remodeling of The Foundling's crisis nursery, a 24-hour care nursery for families working to get their lives back on track. * Upgraded living quarters including kitchen, pantry, dining and common living spaces for pregnant teenagers and young mothers. The Foundling, today, occupies seven of the building's 15 floors. (It sold a portion of the building to New York City for use as a public school in 2007.) In the new renovated space, the Foundling will occupy five floors -- 25% less space -- while actually increasing occupancy and dramatically improving the functionality and aesthetics of the transformed space.