Towers Modernization Project

Residences Reimagined for Today

In June 2017, Columbia University Irving Medical Center began the Towers Modernization Project, a multi-year residential improvement project designed to enhance spaces throughout Towers 1, 2, and 3.

The Towers were originally built in the 1970s. To prepare them to better house current and future generations of CUIMC students, we will reconfigure and improve apartments as well as upgrade the fire alarm system, among other enhancements.

Are you a resident of the Towers? Please direct any inquiries about this project to towers_project@cumc.columbia.edu. You can also learn more about our strict safety policies and procedures around asbestos abatement.

Photo Credit: Pavel Bendov

Fact Sheet

Project Location: Tower 1 (60 Haven Ave.) and Towers 2 and 3 (100 Haven Ave.)

Client: Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Project Scope

  • Apartment renovations: The renovated apartments will have more open kitchens, allowing for larger gatherings, and the bay window bedrooms will be expanded. Most renovated apartments will receive more natural light.
  • Fire System Upgrades: In addition to enhancing the fire alarm panels in the lobbies of the Towers, we will be wall mounting smoke detectors in individual apartments. The Office of Housing Services will contact residents in advance to arrange a time for our installer to place a device in each apartment. All external contractors will be accompanied by a security officer.

Project Area: 75,120,657 gross square feet (housing towers only)

Special Feature and Highlight: Fire safety upgrades

Architect: Marin Architects

MEP Engineer: AKF

Contractors:

  • Construction
    • Tower 1: King Rose Construction
    • Towers 2 and 3: Civil Projects Developers Corp.
  • Fire Alarm Upgrades
    • Towers 1, 2, and 3: New Age Electrical Contracting, Inc.
  • Abatement
    • Towers 1, 2, and 3: Incinia Contracting, Inc. (2017); Pal Environmental, Inc. (2018)
  • Abatement Monitoring
    • Tower 1: Empire Environmental Ltd.
    • Towers 2 and 3: Omega Environmental Services Inc.
  • Sprinklers: TBD

Status: In progress

Questions?

Please submit all inquiries to towers_project@cumc.columbia.edu.

Project Timeline*

*Note: The project schedule and any project-related activities are subject to change based on approvals, University events (e.g., Commencement), regulatory requirements, and/or unforeseen circumstances.

2018

  • January–August  2018
    • Fire alarm upgrade in Tower 3 apartments (all apartments)
  • January–December 2018
    • Fire alarm upgrade in Tower 1 apartments (all apartments)
  • June – August 2018
    • Apartment renovations continue in Towers 1, 2, and 3 (approximately 43 apartments will be renovated)

2019

  • January–December 2019
    • Fire alarm upgrade in Tower 1 apartments (all apartments)
  • June–August 2019
    • Apartment renovations continue in Towers 1, 2, and 3 (approximately 64 apartments will be renovated)

2020

  • June–August 2020
    • Apartment renovations continue in Towers 1, 2, and 3 (approximately 61 apartments will be renovated)
  • October 2020–March 2021
    • Sprinkler upgrades in the B-Levels of Towers 1, 2, and 3

2021

  • February–March 2021
    • Exit sign upgrades in Towers 1, 2, and 3 stairwells
  • June–August 2021
    • Apartment renovations conclude in Towers 1, 2, and 3 (approximately 60 apartments will be renovated)
  • August–December 2021
    • Public corridor lighting upgrades in Towers 1, 2, and 3