IBEX Construction To Build New Flagship Location For Balducci's
NYC based firm tapped to renovate landmark building, New York Savings Bank building at Eighth Avenue and 14th Street
NEW YORK, NY - Gourmet retailer Balducci's is getting a major face lift at its new retail locale in the historic New York Savings Bank building, on Eighth Avenue and 14th Street. IBEX Construction, a New York-based firm specializing in high-end retail and corporate construction, was tapped by the specialty food store to renovate the landmark building, which was formerly the home of Central Carpet.
As part of the design, IBEX is working around the building's single, narrow entrance on Eighth Avenue and adding an additional floor to the property that will create a building within a building feel for shoppers visiting the 30,000-square-feet store. The new shop will feature fresh produce, prepared foods, a delicatessen and a world-renowned cheese and wine selection. It is slated to open in spring 2005.
The architect for the renovation project is Steve Rabinoff of New York.
The landmark building was designed by R.H. Robertson in the Academic Classic style popularized by the World's Columbian Exposition, and was constructed in 1896-97. It features a vaulted plaster ceiling underneath a dome and drum, Siena marble pilasters and wainscoting, stained glass windows and bronze window muntins. It was designated a historic property by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in June of 1988.
"Balducci's is synonymous with New York City and great food," said Andy Frankl, president of IBEX construction. "We are very excited to be working with this legendary retailer and to be part of restoring this century-old building. It is going to be a spectacular and grand addition to the neighborhood."
"We look forward to working with a firm with IBEX's reputation, as we create something very special in Manhattan," said Mark Ordan, president and CEO of Balducci's.
The original Balducci's, located Sixth Avenue and Ninth Street, served as Greenwich Village's most famous food store for more than 50 years. It shut its doors in 2003, and began its search for a bigger, more modern version in a nearby location. Balducci's currently operates one location on the Upper West Side, and neighborhood foodies are anxiously awaiting a re-opening of the Downtown gourmet haven.
Today Balducci's is one of the largest and most highly regarded specialty food companies in the country, with 10 supermarkets and six restaurants up and down the East Coast. With a long history of sourcing, cooking and selling the world's most palate-pleasing foods, the gourmet retailer offers patrons an everyday shopping experience filled with extraordinary choices. In some markets, Balducci's previously operated under the names Sutton Place Gourmet and Hay Day Country Farm Market. The now-united Balducci's chain will soon be expanding to many new locations.
BEX Construction (www.ibexconstruction.com) has offices in New York, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and Washington, DC. IBEX provides construction management, general construction and program management services to developers, corporate, retail, entertainment and media organizations, and hospitality and art institutions. Presently IBEX Construction is serving as Construction Manager for several other high-profile clients, including Nordstrom, Stuart Weitzman, AIG Financial Products, AIA NY Chapter, Microsoft, Washington Mutual, and Cole Haan.
Source: IBEX Construction