This large-scale adaptive reuse of an iconic 655-room landmark hotel building in Manhattan earned wide acclaim for BDB and the repeat client developer Found Study — and buy-in from several major university tenants. Our creative, proactive approach anticipated likely construction challenges in the 1923 masonry-clad structure to convert 80% of the 33-floor building from hotel rooms to student dorms in about six months, from start to occupancy. Restoring existing period finishes and reorganizing interior spaces and building systems, BDB also assisted the project management team with design assistance and MEP advisory as well as an aggressive campaign to identify hidden engineering challenges and analysis of clash detection amongst various sub-trades. Published nationally, the final result greets students with a modern reception lobby, beautiful student dorm rooms, a communal kitchen facility, and a new study room and gym on the second-floor adapted from former hotel executive offices. Tenants include New York Institute of Technology (NYIT).