Top of the Rock, located on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors of 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan, is one of New York’s most iconic observation decks. As part of a recent revitalization effort, the owners aimed to introduce new, immersive visitor experiences that involved installing two amusement rides on the roof of the historic skyscraper. Construction had to be meticulously planned so that the observation deck could remain open to patrons throughout construction. In recognition of the project’s creative approach to adaptive reuse, it was honored with the 2025 AISC IDEAS² Award for Excellence in Adaptive Reuse of Steel Structures.

The redevelopment introduced two major attractions:

• The Beam: Inspired by the iconic “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” photo, this amusement ride lets patrons recreate the historic photograph. The Beam Ride extends 12 feet above the roof while rotating 180°. The mechanics for the Beam Ride are housed in an equipment pit that is suspended from the 69^th floor framing.
• The Skylift: A 30-foot-tall by 13 foot diameter telescoping and rotating glass-and-steel platform lifts visitors above the 70th-floor deck, offering unobstructed 360° views. When not in use, it retracts to be flush with the roof level. The equipment for the Skylift is supported on a new level of framing that is located approximately 3 feet lower than the former gift shop and is sandwiched vertically between the elevator staging area and the 70^th floor roof and laterally between three elevator machine rooms.

On May 28th, GMS Partner and GeoHazards International (GHI) Board Trustee Ramon Gilsanz delivered a compelling presentation at the Real Academia de Doctores de España in Madrid. His talk, titled “Preparedness for Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Landslides,” emphasized the critical importance of disaster mitigation and the implementation of preventive measures to reduce the devastating impacts of natural hazards—particularly in less developed countries.

Drawing on the work of GeoHazards International, the presentation explored how well-planned mitigation strategies can reduce structural damage, economic loss, and, most importantly, save lives. Gilsanz highlighted the disproportionate effects of natural disasters on resource-limited communities and illustrated how improved coordination among architects, structural engineers, government officials, and the public can lead to safer, more resilient environments.

At the 2025 American Society of Civil Engineers SEI Structures Congress, several GMS team members joined fellow industry leaders to discuss critical issues shaping the future of structural engineering.

In December 2024, the New York City Council officially adopted the City of Yes Zoning for Housing Opportunity. The City of Yes initiative aims to minimize parking restrictions and provide new housing opportunities across all five boroughs. In April 2024, New York State enacted the 467-m tax incentive program, known as “Affordable Housing from Commercial Conversions,” to bolster the transformation of non-residential buildings into affordable housing. And with the recent growing trend of converting existing underutilized or abandoned office spaces into state-of-the-art residential buildings, the possibilities are endless. As structural engineers, we have a critical role in understanding the many challenges and complexities that come with these projects.

Starting the new year with a new qualification – GMS Associate Susan Haynes is now a New York City Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector! Susan joins Partner Susanne Mackiw and the building envelope team providing our Clients with Façade and Parapet Inspection Safety Program inspections to comply with the Critical Façade Examinations as defined by Rule No. 103-04 of the Rules of the City of New York (formerly known as LL11) and Rule No. 103-15 Periodic Observation of Building Parapets.

GMS’s building envelope consulting expertise includes curtain walls, masonry, stone, precast concrete and specialty cladding systems, roofing, waterproofing, windows, glazing, skylights, repair, restoration, over cladding, Energy Code compliance, leak investigations, FISP (formerly known as LL11) and other inspections, peer reviews and due diligence studies.

Congratulations Susan!

GMS teams are bringing the energy, from big wins to kicking off new seasons!

The highly anticipated Pearl House, a luxury residential conversion in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, opened its doors to new tenants early this year. Developed by the Vanbarton Group and designed by Gensler, this $273 million project is the largest office-to-residential conversion in the city’s history.  Pearl House boasts 588 market rate luxury apartments right in the heart of the Seaport district and offers water views and luxury resort-style amenities to its tenants. Residences range from studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments to penthouses with private terraces.

Introduction

In cities like Manhattan, where urban development and water bodies converge, floodproofing of structures is not just a regulatory requirement but a crucial aspect of building design. The coastal geography of New York City is considered highly vulnerable to flooding from extreme weather conditions. As we witness climate change and sea level rise, we anticipate flood risks to increase.

In a recent AIA NY presentation on flood and hurricane mitigation, a panel of experts, including building envelope consultants, a structural engineer, and an architect, shared their insights on addressing the challenges posed by extreme weather events in New York City. The discussion covered Flood Zone and Wind-Borne Debris Region designations, relevant building codes, and real-world applications, highlighting critical construction details from ongoing projects.

In this article, we will focus on Daniel Kinsley’s portion of the presentation, where he shared his expertise on flood mitigation for building envelopes. A future article will summarize Jessica Mandrick’s structural engineering perspective. GMS has completed several projects that showcase innovative floodproofing strategies to enhance building resilience and safety.

One Madison Avenue, one of New York City’s iconic structures, has undergone a major transformation, marking it as one of the most significant adaptive reuse projects of the 21st century. Originally constructed in 1893 by the renowned architectural firm Napoleon Le Brun & Sons, One Madison Avenue was once among the largest office buildings in the city, spanning an entire block between Park and Madison Avenues, from East 23^rd to East 24^th Streets.

GMS is pleased to announce the promotion of Michael Pugliese to Associate Partner and Clara Cruz to Project Manager. Additionally, we are excited to welcome Susan Haynes to the building envelope team as an Associate. We look forward to celebrating the continued accomplishments of these talented colleagues.