Plaza Construction to complete 54,000 s/f
PS 557K by 2025; design by Rawlings

Brooklyn, NY Plaza Construction (Plaza), a leader in the construction management industry, marked significant progress on the Brooklyn Gardens Elementary School (PS 557K), by an acceleration to welcome students for the 2023-2024 academic year. Faced with the need to accommodate the growing number of New York City children, Plaza expedited the project’s timeline by nine months, ensuring the school’s doors safely opened on time this past September.

The project encompasses the development of a new 54,000 s/f, four-story primary school facility in conjunction with the meticulous restoration of a landmark façade. Design services were provided by Rawlings Architects PC, with Silman delivering top-tier engineering solutions. Plaza, the general contractor since June 2021, is steering this project towards completion, with the landmark façade anticipated by summer 2025.

Plaza Construction has adapted its operations to accommodate the school schedule and ensure minimal disruption to the educational process. The team is dedicated to swapping out temporary fixtures for permanent ones during nighttime hours and school breaks. Furthermore, significant work on the façade is scheduled for the summer break, demonstrating Plaza’s commitment to flexibility and consideration of the school community’s needs. This approach underscores their capacity to navigate challenges, ensuring progress continues alongside the daily life of the school.

A pivotal aspect of this project is integrating a historic masonry façade from a former 19^th century police station into the new school’s architecture. This process required the temporary bracing and subsequent demolition of the old structure, paving the way for constructing a new, reinforced concrete framework that incorporates the historic façade. Given the intricacy of preserving and blending the old with the new, this task demands precision and time, necessitating the extension of façade restoration work over two summers. 

This phased approach ensures that each detail of the historic facade is preserved and integrated with care and fidelity, reflecting a commitment to honoring the architectural heritage while crafting an eduction facility. 

Plaza Construction works during off-hours and school breaks to replace temporary installations with permanent fixtures. Due to the sensitive nature of the facade work, major renovations will take place during the summer break to minimize the impact on the school’s operations.

This project underscores Plaza’s commitment to preserving New York City’s heritage while creating modern spaces that serve the community’s needs. Through collaborative efforts with the School Construction Authority (SCA) and other stakeholders, Plaza has proven its dedication to excellence and innovation in construction and restoration.

“To meet the urgent demand for educational space, we implemented an innovative solution with a temporary façade, allowing us to welcome students and staff at the start of the school year,” said Matthew DiGiorgi, vice president and project executive at Plaza. “This challenge highlighted our team’s ability to problem-solve under pressure, showcasing our flexibility and expertise in restoration and modern construction. We take immense pride in fostering an environment where students can learn, and teachers can inspire, all while adhering to the strict guidelines set forth by the city, PTA and teachers’ union to ensure that our ongoing work does not disrupt the educational process.”