Project of the Month: Hastings Capital completes $3.8 million redevelopment of former 8,000 s/f electroplating site

QUEENS, NY Hastings Capital, LLC has completed the redevelopment of 8,000 s/f in downtown Jamaica. Located at 87-83 139th St., the site is ideal for medical, professional, light manufacturing, back office, or sales and marketing uses. The area was designated by mayor DeBlasio for economic redevelopment and the building is the first of many projects going up the area. The broker for the building is Solomon & Zuckerbro with managing director John Ritter handling sales.

“The building has wide open floor plans and a ceiling with high ceilings offering a wide array of potential uses,” said Bob Binbaum of Hastings. The building is accessible to the Van Wyck Expy., Grand Central Pkwy., Queens Blvd and is walking distance to the Sutphin Blvd. station, Jamaica station, LIRR, and JFK AirTrain.

Originally occupied by an electroplating shop, the site was the perfect candidate for Hastings, a developer active in the redevelopment of environmentally-distressed properties. This was a challenge that Birnbaum and his team overcame. “We retained the services of companies knowledgeable in all aspects of environmental law, site remediation and disposal of all hazardous and toxic materials. Due to the age and work needed to the site, a gut rehabilitation was necessary with clean-up requirements set forth by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP),” Birnbaum said.

The remediation required digging down to 11’, therefore the team decided to add a basement level instead of refilling the area with new soil. The basement is fully built out and has 10’ ceilings, increasing the interior space by 3,000 s/f and offering greater flexibility to a tenant. “The basement would be a great place for back-office space, lilght manufacturing, or any support operation for front office space on the upper floors,” said Birnbaum. 

Structural work was needed throughout, including replacement of the entire north side wall. “This is basically a whole new building built around the existing structure,” said Birnbaum. After completely gutting the second floor, it was converted to one large office with a bullpen and renovated bathroom. Electrical service and HVAC were updated throughout the building. 

The building has a completely new façade, with attention to detail throughout the new brickwork. A four ft. parapet was added to the top, and marble coining around the edges to give the façade finished look. New picture windows will allow twice as much light in as the standard windows they are replacing while being more efficient.

Birnbaum was involved the design. Keith Cordova of JM2 Architecture met with Birnbaum weekly to review concepts for designs and goals to achieve. The pair created a façade restoration must be timeless, powerful and unique. “The attention to detail for each project with Mr. Birnbaum ensures the end result is flawless,” said Cordova. 

The total cost of renovations was  $3.8 million and the project was completed in October.

“I am most proud of our accomplishment in taking a blighted site steeped with serious environmental issues – in a state of disrepair – and restoring it a standout building that is now available to the marketplace,” said Birnbaum.

Project Team:

Developer: Hastings Capital, LLC

Contractor: D. Caputo Contracting, Inc.

Hazard Waster Management: Innovative Recycling Technologies

Remediation Engineer:  Amec Foster Wheeler

Electrical Contractor: Milicia Electric

Architect: JM2 Architecture, PC