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Scaffolding, netting, construction walls — these are all-too-common occurrences on NYC streets and sidewalks, often blocking and marring the picturesque qualities of historic buildings and neighborhoods. Until now, these visual disturbances were often left for the public to grin and bear, or, in some cases, were appropriated for promotional signage. Yet, a current site of construction is enacting a hopeful new approach right here on SoHo Broadway.
Real estate investment firm KPG Funds has partnered with Urban Umbrella during construction at L’Atelier at 446 Broadway to design and deploy New York City’s first silkscreen building depiction featuring an architecturally accurate rendering printed within its mesh netting. Featuring a full-sized depiction of the building’s historic cast-iron façade, the innovative scaffolding system is designed to seamlessly blend with its surroundings while creating a safe and welcoming pedestrian corridor that is far more aesthetically pleasing than the traditional sidewalk shed.
“SoHo is known for its incredible cast-iron building facades,” said Mark Dicus, Executive Director of the SoHo Broadway Initiative. “The Urban Umbrella opens up the sidewalk to improve the pedestrian experience, while the new mesh netting illustrates the restored façade and is a vast improvement over conventional scaffolding nettings. We hope it becomes the industry standard.”
