DA Buff
CASE STUDY — BROOKLYN
A capital improvement program across a series of mid-century apartment buildings in Williamsburg, focused on safety, accessibility and energy efficiency. Masonry, façades, fire escapes, elevators, boilers and waste systems were all brought up to date with 252 households living in place.
- Location
- 260 South 1st Street, Brooklyn
- Program
- Section 8 preservation
- Units
- 252
- Area
- 175,000 sf
- Budget
- $10M
- Schedule
- 2023–2026
- Role
- Construction Manager
- Contracting entity
- Atlas Supreme
The Building
DA Buff is a series of mid-century multifamily buildings in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. The capital program addressed the property's core issues of safety, accessibility and energy efficiency, with the goal of improving how the buildings perform, lowering maintenance costs and making daily life better for tenants.
The Challenge
Outdated systems were driving up maintenance costs and making the buildings harder to run. The exterior masonry had deteriorated, letting in weather damage and wearing down the buildings' appearance. The fire escapes needed restoration to meet safety requirements, the elevators were old and unreliable, waste handling was inefficient, and an aging heating system was hurting both tenant comfort and energy costs.
Scope
Masonry repairs, patching and Thoroseal coating to prevent future weather damage
Elevator modernization with updated controls and energy-efficient motors
Replacement of outdated boilers and water heaters with high-efficiency models
Fire escape scraping and painting to extend their life and meet local requirements
New, efficient trash compactors
Lobby restoration with updated lighting and new tile flooring
Quality of Life
Façade restoration
Full waterproofing, power washing and painting improved the buildings' curb appeal and longevity.
Waste management
New compactors made waste handling more efficient, cut labor costs and kept the complex cleaner.
Concrete repairs
Repairs to the rear and exterior yards improved storm drainage.
Outcomes
For the owner
Lower maintenance and operating costs from modernized systems, lower utility costs from the boiler and water heater upgrades, and a longer life for the building structures through masonry and façade work.
For tenants
Safer, better-looking buildings thanks to the fire escape and façade work, plus more comfort and lower utility bills from the upgraded heating system.
For the property
Cleaner common areas and better building aesthetics that add to the property's overall value.
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