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West End Collegiate Church, built in 1892, sits in the West End Collegiate Historic District and was designated a New York City landmark in 1967. Continuing a legacy of careful stewardship of its history and resources, the West End Collegiate development combines a new 58-unit residential development on the site of the former Collegiate School with the restored 378 West End Avenue, built in 1915.
This project is a successful example of preservation that celebrates architectural relationships—to the Church, the unique early 20th century apartment buildings, and the larger historic district—and restores an important historical artifact for long-term occupancy by future generations. The in-the-round design of the new structure, in which the “rear” façade overlooking the church is as important as the front, is also critical to the experience of the street by the neighbors and wider community. The unique massing weaves a new urban composition that can only fit into this specific site. This site-specific approach in the new construction is evident in the biophilic motif of the railings inspired by the rose window of the church and a new sundial that echoes the existing church sundial.
The project's sustainability is evident through the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure. The historic masonry façades and architectural ornaments of 378 West End Avenue were attentively restored and reconstructed.
A new garden space along West End Avenue provides a visual base to the cascade of landscaped terraces that extend from the planted rooftops. The gardens reference the ecological landscape that once existed on the land prior to European colonization, connecting residents to the historical landscape and to sustainable environmental cycles.
The building’s restoration also created opportunities for modern sustainability and resiliency measures, including rainwater capture to manage storm water, high-performance operable windows, and sound attenuation for enhanced well-being.
At 378 West End Avenue, the rehabilitation of an historic apartment building was subtly woven with contemporary design within the West End-Collegiate Historic District on the Upper West Side.
The new masonry building's multifaceted design responds to the adjacent West End Collegiate Church and the historic apartment building. The new structure was carefully and methodically extended from the existing building, ensuring that the historic floors aligned with the new floors without any impact to the historic facades.
Variation in the façade’s design situates the new building as a jewel setting for the Church’s measured flourish and creates an in-the-round design, in which the rear façade overlooking the Church is as important as the street front. The complexity of form allows the new building to unfold and reveal itself from different angles elegantly, making the building a considerate participant in the neighborhood with an authentic response to existing historic conditions.
The new structure’s masonry palette and refined architectural details complement the textures and patterns that define the historic Upper West Side, imbuing the building with an authenticity of place. The warm brick color and detailing of the south façade harmonize with the Church’s intricate Flemish revival masonry. The stepped massing also recalls the Church’s gables. Motifs in the metalwork details throughout the facade draw inspiration from the Church’s rose window pattern.
378 West End Avenue is a prime example of the researched care and light touch required to create integrated new construction within a historically significant site. The project marries rehabilitation of historic fabric with new design to support the architectural excellence of the Upper West Side. COOKFOX created an architectural ensemble that is visually rich, detailed, and harmonized in its verticality. The design is deferential to history while positively contributing to community.
COOKFOX Architects is an architectural and interior design studio of 100 architects, interior designers, and visualization artists. Founded in 2003 by Rick Cook and Bob Fox, the firm is now led by eight partners and founding partner Rick Cook. We have built a studio focused on high-performance, environmentally responsive design and are well-known for innovative design at the highest standard of environmental performance. One Bryant Park was the first LEED Platinum commercial skyscraper and our current studio has achieved LEED Platinum and WELL Gold certification. Our work is focused on biophilic design to create architecture that supports physical health and mental wellness. Our portfolio of diverse residential, workplace, and education projects has been driven by our belief that healthy environments are connected to nature with physical, visual, and psychological connections that stimulate our innate positive biological responses to nature and natural processes.
