Located at 50 Hudson Street in Lower Manhattan, a three-story brick commercial building has undergone a notable renovation that culminates in a distinctive glass-brick rooftop addition. The building, originally constructed in 1925 as an office and warehouse for the John F. Sarle Company, a paper merchant, had long stood out amid its taller neighbors in the TriBeCa West Historic District.
Eric Schlagman, who acquired the property two decades ago alongside his partner Miriam Rothstein, led the multi-year restoration effort. Initially, the building was in a state of significant disrepair, with soot-covered walls, graffiti, broken windows, and water damage in the cellar. Early renovation work focused on relocating the elevator, repairing the cellar, and lowering window sills to provide better views of the surrounding Duane Park.
Despite challenges posed by the building’s location within a designated historic district—where additions visible from the street are typically restricted—Mr. Schlagman and Ms. Rothstein pursued approval for a rooftop extension. Their first proposal, featuring a matching brick design, was rejected by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). However, a subsequent revised plan was accepted, introducing a modern glass-brick structure that contrasts with the original building while preserving its architectural integrity.
Architect Thierry Despont, noted for his work on projects including the Statue of Liberty restoration, collaborated on the design. The glass bricks were chosen for their dual quality of solidity and transparency, and required significant engineering reinforcement to support their weight atop the existing structure. The LPC, in granting approval, acknowledged that the addition would not detract from the streetscape despite visibility from the street—a notable exception for a landmark district.
The glass bricks exhibit dynamic qualities, changing appearance with shifting sunlight and reflecting rainbows in certain conditions. The enhancement offers a fresh interpretation of the building’s early 20th-century commercial style without attempting to replicate it. Alexandros Washburn, a former city chief urban designer, praised the design as a creative use of glass that revitalizes the historic structure.
The project experienced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was marked by the loss of key contributors, including Mr. Despont, structural engineer Anthony Gennaro, and architect Steven Jacobson. The completed building now comprises ground-floor retail space, four commercial levels, a garage, and a penthouse residence featuring a terrace encircled by the signature glass-brick parapet.
Mr. Schlagman expressed surprise at the largely positive reception to the addition’s contemporary aesthetic, noting that the feedback has affirmed the extensive work invested in the building’s transformation. The renovation highlights evolving preservation perspectives that at times favor complementary modern interventions alongside historic architecture.