The pristine restoration of this Italianate loft building in Tribeca shows meticulous work by a team of preservation professionals. They succeeded in a minimally invasive scope of work that repaired the facade and brought back its grand original appearance.
The building was completed in 1861-62 for merchant Thomas Hope. For a century, its tenants included printers, clothing and shoe companies, and restaurants. Artists began to take residency on the upper floors during the 1970s. Their use ensured the building would survive, but a series of patches and repairs left it in less-than-ideal condition.
Throughout this project, care was taken to research and test treatments, and document existing conditions at every stage. The first step was removing a failing and inappropriate coating. Exposed historic fabric was repaired or if unusable, became the model for replacement pieces. Delicate, hand-carved Tuckahoe marble elements required several different approaches. The cast-iron entry level was rebuilt and the wood windows were replaced in kind. When the wind-damaged cornice was removed, signage from the original building name was revealed and restored: 131 Duane is once again known as the Hope Building.
Matt Coneybeare
Editor in Chief
Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.
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