I’ve written about Belvedere a lot, partly because it’s one of my favorite projects of the last few years and partly because it’s a unique structure and therefore posed unique challenges. A summary of my previous posts is here – Belvedere Castle – along with some vintage photos and some construction photos. Our work, performed in close coordination with the Central Park Conservancy, included rehabbing the exterior masonry, undoing some unfortunate 1980s alterations to the interior floors, repairing original wrought-iron beams, repairing and strengthening the north pavilion roof, adding the tower to the north pavilion roof that was part of the original design, and a lot of smaller miscellaneous items to coordinate with the new mechanical systems and the conversion of the basement to a new public comfort station.
I’m bringing this up again, months after the completion of the work, because yesterday the project was awarded a Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award by the New York Landmarks Conservancy. We are proud to have been the engineers for this project and to have worked with a great team: the Central Park Conservancy, Cline Bettridge Bernstein Lighting Design, Fifty-Three Restorations, Graciano Corporation, Integrated Conservation Resources, and the Landmarks Facilities Group. In particular, I’d like to thank the three people who, in my opinion, made our work run so smoothly: Denise Keaveney of the CPC, Jennifer Schork of ICR, and OSE’s own Shaquana Lovell.
