Project Type: Skyscrapers
New York Life Building
This 1928 historical landmark, the most prominent insurance company building constructed between World War I and the Great Depression, was also the last signature home office building constructed for an insurance company in New York City. Clad in white limestone and topped by a golden pyramid roof, this massive 40-story tower (thirty-four stories plus the six-story crown) occupies a full city block adjacent to Manhattan’s Madison Square Park.
RSI has provided design and oversight in 2017 for the top two floors that tie‐into ornamental features just below the gold crown. This is where visitors are brought to see the city from a unique vantage-point. In 2006 the same service was provided to the 26th floor large chiller roofs. This upcoming year will see a full transformation of the 14th floor roofs into a vegetative roof system. NYL wants their employees to experience an environment conducive to creativity and a better quality of life.
RSI performs Roof Management functions for all of New York Life’s facilities and all the design work for roof replacement.
Project Location: New York, NY
Project Time Frame: 2004 - Present
Scope of Work: Developed a comprehensive Roof Management Program. Developed Specifications to restore all roofs to this 1928 landmark
Roofing Contractor: Multiple Contractors
Roof System: Siplast modified bitumen
Unique Benefit: Historical society challenges was handled. Plumbing issues with galvanized piping were interfaced
919 Third Avenue
This building was erected in 1971. In 1996 RSI investigated the roof and found it had already been replaced at least one time. The roof was a conventional design and completely water soaked. It, too, needed to be replaced. A new roof would be the third roof in this building’s relatively short 25‐year history. A roof design that would not be significantly affected by the poor details and abuse was
developed. Over several years, the roof design was installed successfully and completed in 2003.
In 2004 the concrete runway was evaluated and restored. The runway’s substrate was wet, the concrete was deteriorated, and reinforcing rebar placed less than an inch below the concrete’s surface. A successful restoration was accomplished without replacement saving tens of thousands of dollars and reduced disruption. To this day, the work continues to perform.
Project Location: New York, NY
Project Time Frame: 1996 - Present
Scope of Work: Design & monitor application of new roof and runway
Roofing Contractor: Arrow Restoration
Roof System: Modified bitumen & concrete restoration
Unique Benefit: Restored a concrete runway used for the window washing rig
61 Broadway, Manhattan (AKA: American Express Building)
This building was erected in 1916 with a construction common for the period. Terracotta forms had several inches of cinder fill laid on top and sloped to the drains. Over the cinder 1” to 2” of concrete was poured. This construction was banned from use in the 1920′s. A coal tar membrane was then applied and covered with a mortar setting bed and terracotta tile. Further complicating the existing construction was a 1980′s application of four plies of built-up asbestos roof directly to the tile. Roof Solution’s design saved six and perhaps seven figures in roof renovation cost by understanding and accommodating the existing construction.
Project Location: New York, NY
Project Time Frame: 2001
Scope of Work: Design & monitor application of the new roof
Roofing Contractor: Jobin Contracting
Roof System: Modified bitumen
Unique Benefit: Roof deck is comprised of terracotta forms with cinder fill. This deck was later banned from use. Roof Solutions understood and adjusted the design saving six figures
![By Elisa.rolle (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.rsiresults.com/wp-content/uploads/Fred_F._French_Building_01-1024x685.jpg)
Fred French Building
As with many of our Manhattan projects, the work was conducted at night and could not disturb occupants. This 38-story skyscraper was built in 1927 and is considered one of the richest architectural landmarks in the city. A must see for anyone who is interested in Art Deco and true grandeur from the 1920’s. The historical society restrictions on this building were strict and enforced.
Historical writer Mr. Carter B. Horsley states, “Although deserved praised for its rich and intriguing decoration, this setback skyscraper is perhaps most interesting for the color of its masonry above its limestone and bronze base: a warm orange, highlighted by deep red and black trim at its setbacks. The orange hints fiery sunsets, which, of course, are emblazoned on its large friezes on the north and south facades of its flat crown, as shown above. The color is quite appealing, but surprisingly has been rarely imitated and has survived the city’s grit well.”
Roof Solutions is proud to have been selected to perform the design and monitoring work for the roofs at this internationally renowned building.
Project Location: New York, NY
Project Time Frame: 2001 - 2002
Scope of Work: Design & monitor application of new roof to this 1927 historical building
Roofing Contractor: Arrow Construction
Roof System: Siplast modified bitumen
Unique Benefit: Numerous set backs and historical society challenges