Restored facade of Nine Orchard, the former Jarmulowsky Bank Building on the Lower East Side, Manhattan

Preserving New York’s Historic Landmarks

KNS restores historic facades, masonry and architectural details on landmarks and historic buildings across New York City.
Landmark + Historic Restoration

Restoration Built on Craftsmanship

Our Approach

Historic restoration starts with understanding what can remain. KNS works with owners, architects and preservation teams to assess existing materials and determine what should be preserved, repaired or replicated while maintaining the character of the original building.

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Preserve

Retain sound historic material wherever possible, protecting the original stone, masonry, terra cotta and architectural details that define the building.

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Repair

Restore deteriorated materials in place through repointing, patching, Dutchman repairs, crack and spall repair, stabilization and other material-specific restoration methods.

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Replicate

Reproduce missing or failed architectural elements when the original can no longer be retained, matching the existing profile, texture, material and finish.

Experts in the Field

What We Do

KNS performs specialized restoration across historic facades and building envelopes, from original masonry and architectural ornament to roofing, waterproofing and fabricated replacement elements.

Limestone, brownstone, brick and terra cotta restoration including repointing, patching, Dutchman repairs, stabilization and replacement of deteriorated units.

Restoration and replication of cornices, window surrounds, decorative masonry, terra cotta and other architectural elements in original or approved replacement materials including GFRC and architectural precast.

Controlled cleaning of historic limestone, masonry, terra cotta and other facade materials using methods selected for the existing substrate and its condition.

Restoration and fabrication of copper roofing, cupolas, cornices, flashings and custom architectural metalwork matched to the historic profiles and detailing.

Roofing and waterproofing integrated into landmark restoration scopes: historic roofs, terraces, plazas, garden courts, concealed waterproofing and the adjacent building-envelope conditions.

Explore Facade Restoration Services
Copper cupola hoisted into position at 9 Orchard Street on the Lower East Side, Manhattan
Featured Landmark Projects

Landmark Restoration Across New York City

KNS has restored historic buildings across Manhattan, with work ranging from limestone cleaning and masonry restoration to architectural replication, copper fabrication, roofing and waterproofing.

Historic Limestone Facade at The Frick Collection, Upper East Side, Manhattan
Restored rooftop cupola and copper spire of the Jarmulowsky Bank Building at Nine Orchard in Manhattan.
Restored masonry facade and window surrounds at 611 West 112th Street, Columbia University housing
Copper roof restoration at Steinway Hall, 111 West 57th Street, Midtown, Manhattan
Historic Limestone Facade at The Frick Collection, Upper East Side, Manhattan
Upper East Side, Manhattan

The Frick Collection

Historic limestone facade cleaning alongside roofing, copper and waterproofing work at the landmark museum.

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Restored rooftop cupola and copper spire of the Jarmulowsky Bank Building at Nine Orchard in Manhattan.
Lower East Side, Manhattan

Nine Orchard

Restoration of the former Jarmulowsky Bank Building, including historic masonry and reconstruction of its rooftop cupola and copper spire.

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Restored masonry facade and window surrounds at 611 West 112th Street, Columbia University housing
Morningside Heights, Manhattan

611 West 112th Street

Terra cotta and masonry restoration with a GFRC cornice reconstructed from archival documentation for Columbia University.

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Copper roof restoration at Steinway Hall, 111 West 57th Street, Midtown, Manhattan
Midtown, Manhattan

Steinway Hall

Restoration of the landmarked limestone facade and historic building envelope at 111 West 57th Street.

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Landmark Requirements

LPC Requirements for Landmark Restoration in New York City

Exterior work on designated landmarks and buildings within historic districts is subject to review by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

KNS works with owners, architects and LPC staff on existing conditions, restoration details, materials, samples and mockups, then executes the work in accordance with the approved scope.

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Document the Scope

Existing conditions, proposed restoration work, drawings and material requirements establish the scope.

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Review + Approval

Architects and project teams coordinate LPC review, with KNS supporting material selections, samples, mockups and restoration details.

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Restore

KNS performs the approved work, matching historic materials, profiles and finishes while documenting conditions as work progresses.

Restoring a Landmark or Historic Building?

Send KNS your conditions survey, architectural drawings or restoration scope. Our team can review the existing conditions and work with your architect to determine the appropriate construction approach.

Contact KNS

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Where an original unit cannot be reproduced in clay, GFRC and architectural precast replicate the profile, texture and finish to what the Commission approved. KNS carried out terra cotta replacement in architectural precast and GFRC across 200,000 square feet at 12 East 86th Street in Carnegie Hill, with the building fully occupied.

Mortar is matched to the original in color, texture and compressive strength. It has to stay softer than the masonry around it, so that the joint takes the movement rather than the brick or stone. On landmark work the mortar match is submitted and approved before repointing begins.

Yes. On an individual landmark or in a historic district, exterior restoration, in-kind replacement, alteration and reconstruction all need Landmarks Preservation Commission approval before work starts, including parts of the building not visible from the street and work that needs no DOB permit. Repair in kind is usually approved at staff level rather than at a public hearing. KNS builds what the permit approved and documents it as approved.

The Frick Collection on the Upper East Side, Steinway Hall at 111 West 57th Street, the 1912 Jarmulowsky Bank at 9 Orchard Street on the Lower East Side, now Nine Orchard, and Columbia University housing at 611 West 112th Street in Morningside Heights.

What People Say
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Besides being an experienced and professional company for several generations, Anthony, Tony, Jimmy and the Staff at KNS Building Restoration Inc. has always made us feel like part of their family.

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“Oculus Consulting Group has been collaborating with KNS Building Restoration Inc. on various renovation, restoration and exterior façade repair projects for over 25 years in the greater Tri-State Area.

Along with the KNS Managerial and Administrative Staff, our entire Team has ensured that all projects maintain a thorough and vigorous approvals/licensing/permits process, to a safe environment during the work, inspections and signoff phase. The Team is committed to maintaining a grasp on the latest guidelines, procedures and codes by the respective agencies.

Besides being an experienced and professional company for several generations, Anthony, Tony, Jimmy and the Staff at KNS Building Restoration Inc. has always made us feel like part of their family.”

John J. Scheschareg
FARA – President – Oculus Consulting Group
John J. Scheschareg
FARA – President – Oculus Consulting Group
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Our “Go To Construction Team” has always been KNS Restoration, from the firms’ origins many years ago…up to today. The senior management is responsive, highly experienced, and very knowledgeable regarding all aspects of the exterior envelope of a structure including general construction and historic restoration. The more difficult the project, the better they like it

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“We are a medium size Architectural firm working in the NYC region and have specialized in exterior restoration and roofing work for over 45 years.

Our “Go To Construction Team” has always been KNS Restoration, from the firms’ origins many years ago…up to today.

The senior management is responsive, highly experienced, and very knowledgeable regarding all aspects of the exterior envelope of a structure including general construction and historic restoration. The more difficult the project, the better they like it

The hands-on craftsmen that make up the field teams are very experienced and detailed from documenting unfolding issues to communicating with the design team.

The administrative staff at KNS are immediately responsive to all the unfolding issues related to a project site and most especially issues regarding the permitting and governmental filings which is a key part of working in the City of New York.

They are highly recommended beyond any doubt.”

Michael Macaluso, Senior Partner, Architect MJM+A architects, pllc
Michael Macaluso, Senior Partner, Architect MJM+A architects, pllc

Let’s Bring Your Vision to Life

Contact KNS Building Restoration today for a free consultation. Our team of experts is ready to transform and preserve your building with precision and care.

Get Your Free Consultation Now