Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Construction Firm Completes Two Projects for Manhattan Private Schools

  • By Matt Jones
  • 07/25/22

A recent news release reports that construction firm EW Howell Construction Group has completed expansion and renovation projects at two private K–8 schools in Manhattan, N.Y. EW Howell served as the general contractor for a new, 30,000-square-foot facility for Harlem Academy and as the construction manager for expansions to Village Community School.

Harlem Academy interior
Harlem Academy interior
Photos courtesy of Den 25 Creative Studio

The new facility for Harlem Academy covers 30,000 square feet, stands five stories and will be the school’s first permanent home; the school previously rented space along three storefronts. The new space will allow the school to double its enrollment capacity to about 240, including separate spaces for kindergarteners and students in grades 6–8. Amenities include an open entry / commons area, a café, outdoor play space and a new library.

“Harlem Academy was a unique project because of the size of the project site, which allowed for a brand-new building and a ground-level play yard, a rare opportunity we don’t often see for private schools in Manhattan,” said EW Howell Vice President Dominic Paparo. “Due to space constraints, a usual project in this market would consist of the renovation of an existing school building or an adaptive re-use of an existing property into a school building.”

Village Community School exterior
Village Community School exterior

Renovations to the Village Community School, meanwhile, include a 30,000-square-foot, five-level expansion that required deep-site excavation to place a gymnasium in the basement. Other amenities include a new library, classrooms, a rooftop play area and special-skills classrooms. The school and EW Howell collaborated with Marvel Architects on the project, which also includes a curtain wall connecting the existing structure to the new addition to create the feel of a “showcase entrance,” according to the news release.

“It was a unique situation that we could utilize Village Community School’s existing ground-level play yard, which sat adjacent to the existing school building, as the site for the new expansion,” said Paparo. “While each project presented challenges, the result is two amazing new spaces with many opportunities for students and faculty.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Year-Round Schools Require Year-Round Indoor Air Quality Planning

    While many schools are out for the summer, year-round schools follow a more “balanced” schedule with shorter, more frequent breaks spaced throughout the school year. Even though this offers educational benefits, these facilities have less downtime for building maintenance. This can become an issue when facilities managers overlook the importance of routine HVAC maintenance and air duct cleaning services.

  • Wyoming District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    Laramie County School District #1 in Cheyenne, Wy., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming Mountain View Elementary School, according to a news release. The facility has an estimated completion date of summer 2028, and it will have the capacity for 650 students in fifth and sixth grade.

  • Amazon Expands Lockers to More Than 500 College, University Campuses

    Amazon recently announced that its Locker Network now totals more than 750 locations at more than 500 college and university campuses around the United States, according to a company news release.

  • Back-to-School Playground Safety: 7 Common Hazards to Look for After Summer Break

    As summer break comes to an end, school administrators have plenty to prepare before students return. While classrooms, hallways and common areas often receive attention during all the back-to-school preparations, the playground should not be overlooked. Months of weather exposure, storms, and regular wear can leave behind hazards that may not be immediately noticeable.