Marsh Inc. Headquarters – 1166 Ave of the Americas
Building Exterior and Plaza Rehabilitation
Constructed circa 1974, the 44-story curtain wall building at 1166 Avenue of the Americas contains 1.6 million square feet of office space and houses multiple tenants in addition to Marsh Inc. Since 1990, Hoffmann Architects + Engineers has worked closely with the owners of the midtown Manhattan high-rise to complete numerous rehabilitation projects.
A failing waterproofing system at the 25,000 square foot plaza resulted in water infiltration to occupied space below. Hoffmann coordinated the technical requirements of creating a watertight plaza design, as well as collaborated on the redesign of plaza lighting, layout and amenities. The rehabilitative work also corrected deficiencies in existing architectural, mechanical, and electrical components. Distinctive plantings, including majestic and rare Metasequoia (Dawn Redwood) trees, which are listed as a Critically Endangered Species with the World Conservation Union, were painstakingly protected during the plaza reconstruction.
On September 11, 2001, Marsh Inc. lost 295 employees to the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. To honor and remember those who lost their lives, Marsh Inc. commissioned a permanent memorial with the victims’ names, to be erected in the plaza. Hoffmann was retained as plaza design specialists in consultation to William Fellows Architects, who designed the stone and glass commemorative sculpture. To accommodate the memorial and the resultant changes in traffic patterns, seating areas, and landscape elements, Hoffmann assisted William Fellows in the development of architectural and structural design documents, as well as prepared contract documents and provided construction administration services.
On behalf of property manager CB Richard Ellis, additional services provided by Hoffmann Architects + Engineers at Marsh Inc. Headquarters included design and administration of roof replacements, window washing rig installation, window sealant replacements, sidewalk rehabilitation, and inspection and repair pursuant to New York City Local Law 11 of 1998, a facade evaluation and maintenance ordinance.
