Nitehawk Prospect Park

Brooklyn, NY

AYON Studio’s expertise in building conservation was key to the success of the Nitehawk’s new life — during its initial $15-million rehabilitation completed in 2018, as well as the subsequent further improvements that will be completed in 2024. All of these upgrades will help ensure the continued viability of this beloved neighborhood fixture.

Focusing on improving the building from a performance and sustainability perspective, AYON Studio guided the extensive exterior envelope and roof repairs for Phase 1, to ensure the exterior envelope would now be watertight. Our recommendations, based on extensive investigation of the building, included a partial roof replacement, as well as repairs at the marquee roof, coping repairs, new flashing at all penetrations, and additional related roofing and waterproofing. Our contributions were also critical to restoring the Nitehawk’s most significant original details – inside and out.

Later, AYON Studio directed Phase 2’s additional exterior repairs, roof and sidewalk replacements, and installation of rooftop photovoltaics. The new solar panels will help offset the service-focused cinema’s high electrical energy use, particularly in the screening rooms and the commercial kitchen (where the lights stay on, even during a show). By improving the thermal performance of the envelope, energy consumption will be reduced—and when combined with the solar array—offers the Nitehawk significant long-term savings on operation costs.

Because the Nitehawk is located within the Park Slope Historic District Extension, all renovation work was subject to approval by NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission. Our vast experience with the agency was essential to guiding both the rehabilitation design and the subsequent improvements smoothly through the process.

AYON Studio also designed the rooftop photovoltaic installation, visible from the public way, to sensitively integrate with the existing building. This intervention received unanimous NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and Brooklyn Community Board 6 approval.

Client
Nitehawk Cinemas               

Services
Conditions Assessment, Construction Documents, Bidding and Negotiation, LPC and DOB filing, and Construction Administration

Project Team
Phase 1:
Interior Architect: Think! Architecture and Design PLLC
Structural Engineer: Gilsanz Murray Steficek LLP
M/E/P Engineer: 2L Consulting Engineering
General Contractor: Reidy Contracting Group       

Phase 2:
Structural Engineer: Gilsanz Murray Steficek LLP
Photovoltaics: Sunkeeper Solar
General Contractor: UP Construction and Restoration, Inc.

Size
33,120 SF

Completion
Phase 1: 2017 – 2018
Phase 2: 2021 – 2024