For over a decade, GMS has served as the Woolworth Building’s structural engineer. Presently, the upper portion of this landmark (30th Floor-60th Floor) is being converted to residential apartments designed by Thierry Despont. The structural design accommodates two new high rise elevators from the subcellar to 51st Floor, new floor openings, new/reinforced framing, new stair structures between 30th and 53rd Floor. GMS is also engineering new framing for two new penthouses at the 30th Floor, and a new canopy structure at the ground floor. Additional structural work has involved refurbishing the building’s lower levels for restaurants, health club, retail and educational space, as well as renovations of the intermediate levels for office tenants.

New York Post: Woolworth renovations are a perfect blend of the past and the future (excerpts)

It’s not just the mesmerizing views, but the entire project. All the units and common areas, designed by Thierry Despont, have the elegance of classical detail with a modern edge.

To gain more interior space, two elevator shafts were cut off to just serve the lower office portion of the building, gaining 400 square feet per floor in the tower. With sales pricing averaging $3,300 per square foot — that’s $1.28 million extra per floor.

History lives within. Blue, white and gilded ceiling panels from Woolworth’s private 42nd floor office have almost all been saved and are being restored or replicated for the residential lobby.

Underground, amenities include a wine cellar for each unit, a tasting room and the restoration of Woolworth’s 55-foot long private lap pool.

The Gilbert lounge — named for building architect, Cass Gilbert, will be located on the 29th floor, while the 30th floor will host a fitness facility.

The Pinnacle, the multi-story pyramid that tops the building, has been gutted, and one of its many stories removed to create a 2,400- square-foot floor with a 23-foot high ceiling.

Read the full text:

http://nypost.com/2017/07/11/woolworth-renovations-are-a-perfect-blend-of-the-past-and-the-future/