American Academy of Arts & Letters

Historic Campus Infrastructure Modernization With Advanced Building Systems

JRM Construction Management completed a 41,500 SF base building infrastructure modernization for the American Academy of Arts and Letters in New York City. Designed by David Bae Architect with engineering by Kohler Ronan, the project upgraded critical building systems across the Academy’s historic three-building campus, which includes art galleries, libraries, and a grand auditorium serving a prestigious membership of artists, architects, composers, and writers.

The work focused on a comprehensive overhaul of the campus’s MEP infrastructure. JRM converted the original steam-heating system to a modern hydronic system by installing new dual-fuel boilers and replacing aging cooling systems with new air-cooled chillers, supported by expanded chilled-water distribution and new air-handling units throughout the campus.

The project also included significant electrical upgrades, replacing century-old open-knife switchgear with a new 3,000-amp system. Due to limited available power on 155th Street, JRM coordinated closely with Con Edison to construct a new sidewalk vault supplied by upgraded feeders from Broadway. All work was carefully executed within the constraints of the site’s historic landmark designation, preserving the campus’s architectural character while delivering reliable, modern building systems.