Rendering of 32-34 Walker Street (Courtesy of SOMA)
At the corner of Church Street and Walker Street in the Tribeca East Historic District, a boutique condo development is rising that embraces both the neighborhood's architectural heritage and contemporary design. The project at 34 Walker Street is being developed by Urban Capital Group and Prosper Property Group, with a design led by Cedric Abboud (principal and founder of Urban Capital Group), Principal of SOMA. Abboud, who serves as the lead designer on the project, has teamed up with The Turett Collective (TTC)) to sensitively blend a new limestone-clad structure with an existing 19th century cast iron loft building, preserving the character of the neighborhood while introducing a dignified structure to the corner.
As the project coalesces, CityRealty sat down with Cedric Abboud, Damien Smith, co-founder of Prosper Property Group, and James Saisakorn, Project Architect and Partner at TTC, to discuss the design strategy, the Landmarks approval process, and how the team is bringing 34 Walker Street to life without compromising its historic context.
In this article:
CityRealty: How and why did the developer first engage TTC for this project?
Cedric Abboud, Principal, Urban Capital Group, and Damien Smith, CEO & Founder, Prosper Property Group: To achieve a Landmark package and design that is comprehensive, complete, and optimized, the developers identified that having a local expert was necessary. As the project gained support by Landmarks and became feasible, the team engaged TTC for the firm’s in-depth New York City expertise and a solid track record in Tribeca.
This development entails a complexity by merging an old structure with a new one, with historic constraints on the articulation of the building, façade setbacks, open area ratios, among many others. A successful design is one that works and is financially feasible. Eventually, the team achieved a successful Landmarks review and DOB approvals, and in now on the ground building – in line with its target timelines and budget.
Cedric Abboud, Principal, Urban Capital Group, and Damien Smith, CEO & Founder, Prosper Property Group: To achieve a Landmark package and design that is comprehensive, complete, and optimized, the developers identified that having a local expert was necessary. As the project gained support by Landmarks and became feasible, the team engaged TTC for the firm’s in-depth New York City expertise and a solid track record in Tribeca.
This development entails a complexity by merging an old structure with a new one, with historic constraints on the articulation of the building, façade setbacks, open area ratios, among many others. A successful design is one that works and is financially feasible. Eventually, the team achieved a successful Landmarks review and DOB approvals, and in now on the ground building – in line with its target timelines and budget.
Pre-existing buildings at 32-34 Walker Street
Google Earth aerial showing location of 32-34 Walker Street in Tribeca
CityRealty: What is special about this site and what would you say defines the architectural language of Tribeca?
Cedric Abboud: 32–34 Walker Street is a prominent corner site with outstanding southwest exposure at the intersection of two unobstructed wide streets, Church Street and Sixth Avenue. It benefits from high ceilings - up to 16 feet on some floors - which, along with the natural light and expansive views, creates a distinctive and in many ways unique residential offering in the heart of historic Tribeca.
The building’s design was developed in close coordination with Landmarks and a Preservation Consultant, Higgins Quasebarth, to ensure it is contextual and reflects the neighborhood’s architectural character.
Cedric Abboud: 32–34 Walker Street is a prominent corner site with outstanding southwest exposure at the intersection of two unobstructed wide streets, Church Street and Sixth Avenue. It benefits from high ceilings - up to 16 feet on some floors - which, along with the natural light and expansive views, creates a distinctive and in many ways unique residential offering in the heart of historic Tribeca.
The building’s design was developed in close coordination with Landmarks and a Preservation Consultant, Higgins Quasebarth, to ensure it is contextual and reflects the neighborhood’s architectural character.
34 Walker Street construction progress as of mid-May 2025. The foundations for the new corner structure is underway (CityRealty)
CityRealty: What were some of the main points of contention raised by the Landmarks Preservation Commission during the review process?
Cedric Abboud: Landmarks quickly identified that the site’s high visibility at a corner location was its strength, and a contextual design necessary given its impact on the successful development of the neighborhood. The design evolved in coordination with Higgins Quasebarth and Staff, to reach its final stage as presented.
By the time we secured the site and went to Landmarks with a comprehensive set, we got an unconditional approval. This was a testimony to the team’s collaborative efforts in working with our consultants and Landmarks.
Cedric Abboud: Landmarks quickly identified that the site’s high visibility at a corner location was its strength, and a contextual design necessary given its impact on the successful development of the neighborhood. The design evolved in coordination with Higgins Quasebarth and Staff, to reach its final stage as presented.
By the time we secured the site and went to Landmarks with a comprehensive set, we got an unconditional approval. This was a testimony to the team’s collaborative efforts in working with our consultants and Landmarks.
34 Walker Street (Courtesy of SOMA)
CityRealty: Plans show the new ground-up portion of the project will connect directly to the L-shaped historic loft building. How difficult is this to execute structurally and architecturally, and how do you minimize the risk of compromising a 140-year-old structure?
Cedric Abboud: This type of connection is complex and demands a highly collaborative process. When planned effectively, it can offer significant advantages during construction. The existing structure served as both a starting point and design reference as we started the exercise. By working closely with our structural engineers, builder, and expeditors, we were able to use existing conditions to streamline construction.
These buildings, originally designed for light manufacturing, are incredibly solid. With the right planning, the final structure will be as robust as ever. The builder is First Standard Construction, with an established track record in the city for turning around complex buildings and a real expertise. Their early involvement in the design process has been invaluable.
Cedric Abboud: This type of connection is complex and demands a highly collaborative process. When planned effectively, it can offer significant advantages during construction. The existing structure served as both a starting point and design reference as we started the exercise. By working closely with our structural engineers, builder, and expeditors, we were able to use existing conditions to streamline construction.
These buildings, originally designed for light manufacturing, are incredibly solid. With the right planning, the final structure will be as robust as ever. The builder is First Standard Construction, with an established track record in the city for turning around complex buildings and a real expertise. Their early involvement in the design process has been invaluable.
CityRealty: TTC has designed two nearby residential buildings in Tribeca (2 North Moore and 15 Leonard) . Has that experience informed your approach to this project? And do you already have a vision for the interiors?
James Saisakorn Project Architect & Partner at The Turett Collaborative: Our experiences with projects at 2 North Moore and 15 Leonard have significantly shaped our approach to this endeavor. Similar to 34 Walker, these projects were situated in the Tribeca Historic District, necessitating close collaboration with Landmarks to ensure our designs adhered to their guidelines for approval. Landmark's intent is not to replicate historic structures but to respect the architectural qualities that define a neighborhood. A proposed building should feel like part of Tribeca, even if the design is contemporary.
James Saisakorn Project Architect & Partner at The Turett Collaborative: Our experiences with projects at 2 North Moore and 15 Leonard have significantly shaped our approach to this endeavor. Similar to 34 Walker, these projects were situated in the Tribeca Historic District, necessitating close collaboration with Landmarks to ensure our designs adhered to their guidelines for approval. Landmark's intent is not to replicate historic structures but to respect the architectural qualities that define a neighborhood. A proposed building should feel like part of Tribeca, even if the design is contemporary.
2 North Moore, a single-family home in Tribeca designed by The Turett Collaborative (TTC)
In our previous Tribeca residential projects, we emphasized the interplay between steel, masonry, and glass to evoke the district's numerous cast iron facades. Cast iron components, a technological innovation of the mid-1800s, allowed builders to quickly erect many of the area's facades. Our designs reflect the spirit of modern invention while recalling the materiality and proportions of an earlier era.
34 Walker presented a unique opportunity to blend the site's existing cast iron facades with a new limestone clad facade. Like cast iron, stone cladding was another material used often in districts historic facades. The new facade at 32 Walker features vertical limestone-clad columns and horizontal limestone-clad spandrels, continuing the horizontal rhythms of the cast iron facade components that frame the new design. As with our previous projects, we worked closely with Landmarks to refine and perfect the proportions and detailing of the facade elements.
Looking east down Walker Street from the project site
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Some may view designing a new building within a historic district as restrictive, we view it as an opportunity for interpretation and reinvention.
The team's main objective was to establish a harmonious connection between the building's exterior and interior design. We firmly believe that the interior should engage in a dialogue with the exterior, complementing it to create a unified and cohesive whole.
The team's main objective was to establish a harmonious connection between the building's exterior and interior design. We firmly believe that the interior should engage in a dialogue with the exterior, complementing it to create a unified and cohesive whole.
As such, the stone used on the façade extends into the residential lobby, adorning the floors and ceilings in proportions that create a more intimate atmosphere. This timeless quality of the exterior design flows into the interior spaces of the residential units. Limestone defines key public spaces within the apartments, while white oak flooring and millwork in oak and walnut veneers add warmth and complement the stone elements.
CityRealty: The corner once housed the beloved Belle Reve bar. Realistically, what kind of retail tenant do you envision as a strong fit for the ground floor?
Cedric Abboud, Principal, Urban Capital Group, and Damien Smith, CEO & Founder, Prosper Property Group: Given the building’s historic character, we envision a tenant that enhances and complements the spirit of the neighborhood. A thoughtfully curated café or gallery space would be ideal, something that not only serves the local community but also helps foster connection among residents. We will be launching sales and leasing soon.
Cedric Abboud, Principal, Urban Capital Group, and Damien Smith, CEO & Founder, Prosper Property Group: Given the building’s historic character, we envision a tenant that enhances and complements the spirit of the neighborhood. A thoughtfully curated café or gallery space would be ideal, something that not only serves the local community but also helps foster connection among residents. We will be launching sales and leasing soon.
CityRealty: Once a project like this is complete, how does your firm measure success?
Cedric Abboud: it was designing a contextual, timeless building that maximizes the potential of the site and is financially feasible.
James Saisakorn: At TTC, we strive to create buildings that are not only well-designed and well-built but also timeless and uniquely integrated within their context. Achieving these goals, despite the typical constraints of budget, construction time, external approvals that impact the design, and any other unforeseen factors is what makes a successful project.
Cedric Abboud: it was designing a contextual, timeless building that maximizes the potential of the site and is financially feasible.
James Saisakorn: At TTC, we strive to create buildings that are not only well-designed and well-built but also timeless and uniquely integrated within their context. Achieving these goals, despite the typical constraints of budget, construction time, external approvals that impact the design, and any other unforeseen factors is what makes a successful project.
CityRealty Is there a projected timeline for when construction will begin and sales will launch?:
Cedric Abboud, Principal, Urban Capital Group, and Damien Smith, CEO & Founder, Prosper Property Group: Construction is underway with sales projected to launch soon.
Cedric Abboud, Principal, Urban Capital Group, and Damien Smith, CEO & Founder, Prosper Property Group: Construction is underway with sales projected to launch soon.
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Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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Or call us at (212) 755-5544
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