MEMBERS-ONLY! Tour of 95 Madison Ave: Office to Residential Conversation

On September 23, 2026, members of the New York Chapter of LAI had the privilege of touring 95 Madison Avenue, a historic office building currently undergoing conversion to residential use. Our tour guides were Timothy Sudweeks, AIA, LEED AP, CPHD, and Brian Fanning, AIA, LEED AP, both architects at FXCollaborative, the firm overseeing the renovation’s design. Tim and Brian discussed the many challenges involved in adapting a 115-year-old landmarked building for modern residential use. They walked attendees through several key design decisions, including the process of replacing the building’s original two side cores with a new central core and creating efficient apartment layouts that minimize interior space with little access to natural light. They also explained how the design team was able to preserve the building’s original terra-cotta façade while upgrading the structure to achieve greater energy efficiency. Tim and Brian also discussed the approval process and how the project successfully navigated reviews by both the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission and the City Planning Commission. All told, LAI members gained a rare insider’s perspective on the architectural, regulatory, planning, and technical challenges of repurposing a historic New York City landmark while creating sorely needed new housing.