Location: New York City
Description: Exterior Facade and Roof Restoration Project
Types of work: Copperwork, slate roofing, facade cleaning

Details: Once called The Knox Hat Building, this landmark building at the corner of 5th Avenue and 40th Street is now the world headquarters for HSBC Bank. This classic Beaux-Art structure is well recognized for it's elaborate torch and shield copper cornice and large sheetmetal dormers.

In preparation for an HSBC World Bank summit meeting, a full historic exterior facade and roof restoration was planned. HSBC and Facade Maintenance Design Architects, looked to Nicholson & Galloway to perform this difficult restoration.

The ornate 140 linear foot 8' tall stamped copper cornice was completely replaced in-kind and coated to replicate patinated copper. Existing structural steel was repaired and reinforced to receive a new stainless steel cornice armature. Four massive copper corner Cartouches were removed and meticulously restored to like-new condition.

2,500 square feet of Dutch lapped slate roofing was removed and replace with new Vermont Black slate. Original terra-cotta roof blocks were structurally restored and covered with new marine grade plywood and waterproofing membrane to serve as new slate substrate.

All of the Knox Building's copper dormers and cornices were stripped of existing hazardous lead paint and repainted with Tnemec coatings. All windows were recaulked and the entire brick and limestone facade was cleaned.

As always, all work and supervision was performed by Nicholson & Galloway's own personnel.