Location: New York, New York
Developer: DDG
Designer: DDG and H.T.O Architect, PLLC
Site Size: 0.2 acres

Situated on the southern edge of Chelsea in New York City, 345meatpacking exemplifies contemporary design while maintaining the appeal of a historic neighborhood. The mixed-use building offers 8,405 sq. ft. of retail space contained to two ground floor spaces, 5,414 sq. ft. of open space, and 37 residential units. Residences are between 693 and 2,093 sq. ft. and sold for $1.1 million to $6.9 million, an average of $2,079 per sq. ft. The estimated total cost of the project is $26 million.

345meatpacking achieved LEED Silver certification by implementing several sustainable design elements. A board-formed concrete marquee provides shelter for pedestrians and serves as a garden bed for climate-appropriate grasses, flowering plants, shrubs and vines. An oculi carved into the structure reveals the greenery to those passing by on the street-level. 25% of the rooftop is devoted to vegetation with greenery integrated into the building parapet walls, landscape design and bulkhead. This, along with heat-resistant pavers, reduces heat absorption and aids in temperature maintenance. An exterior rainwater retention system irrigates the planted marquee and roof vegetation. Each residence includes an outside air filtering system for enhanced indoor air quality as well as low emissivity windows to reduce heat gain and cooling loss. All of the sustainable design features reduced energy use by 29% below the baseline established by ASHRAE 90.1-2007 and reduced 83% of potable water use.

Additional attention was given to the materials used in the façade in order to integrate the building into the fabric of the neighborhood. The color, finish, texture and shape of the Kolumba hand-made brick imported from Denmark which forms the base of the building, blends with its historic neighbors, while simultaneously allowing for a modern expression. Portions of the walls and floors from the prior structure were preserved as well.