Amsterdam Houses

Built in 1948, the 9.49-acre Manhattan development - Amsterdam Houses - has thirteen buildings, 6 and 13-stories tall with 1,084 apartments.

As part of NYCHA’s Bond B Pilot Program, Nelligan White was tasked to investigate widespread cracking and spalling at the building facades and parapets of Amsterdam Houses. Upon inspection, the majority of the buildings were deemed unsafe due to pervasive and severe cracking, spalling, and broken masonry at the facades. Extensive research and investigation attributed the identified failures to flawed construction methods such as bonding the face brick into the CMU, resulting in face brick expansion.

Our comprehensive rehabilitation consists of complete parapet replacement with a low architectural pre-cast concrete curb and spandrel and a metal guardrail, masonry replacement, roof replacement, and complete replacement of windows. New parapets made from architectural pre-cast concrete –part of a two-piece spandrel panel, curb, and coping assembly – was established as a new NYCHA standard, along with galvanized roof railings.

Architectural Staff
Kenneth Dietz
Kelly Greenfield
Shannon Hayes
William Hovland
Mathanki Kalapathy
George Kewin
Jake LaChapelle
Bruce G. Nelligan
Ofunne Oganwu
Jonathan Pietro
Steven Schutt
Monet Walker
Emily Wetherbee

Project Team

Client
New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

Structural Engineer
Dewberry

Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Engineer
Dewberry