Crystal Window & Door Systems innovative products continue to play a key part in new buildings throughout New York City, improving the skyline and providing much needed housing. For the latest such project, the H1-H2 building at Greenpoint Landing in Brooklyn, Crystal supplied over 1,800 MAGNUS Series 4500 uPVC commercial vinyl casement and fixed windows. Located at 35 Commercial Street, Brooklyn, NY, the 213-foot tall 344,000-ft² structure consists of a 22-story tower atop a 6-story podium base building.

“The Crystal MAGNUS uPVC windows are increasingly the choice for new developments in New York City and across the nation,” said Steven Yu, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Our MAGNUS windows offer strength compatible with metal-frame windows and the thermal efficiency and inherent sound attenuation of traditional vinyl, so it’s no wonder Crystal is one of the national leaders in uPVC window fabrication.”

The project used a total of 1,816 Crystal MAGNUS Series 4500 In-Swing Casement and Fixed Picture Windows. To provide expansive views, many of the building openings (some as large as 7-¼ feet wide x 10-½ feet tall) featured both fixed and casement windows combined using one master frame.

A unique feature of the building was the use of ribbon wall windows on both the base building and the high-rise tower. Crystal was selected for this project in part because of its design expertise and experience with ribbon wall window fabrication and installation. A total of 347 Crystal MAGNUS Series 4500 uPVC windows in ribbon configurations partially encircle the building at the 6^th, 7^th, 12^th, and 18^th floors. The continuous ribbon windows were joined together using Crystal mullion systems.

The Crystal MAGNUS Series 4500 windows for this project have a strong insulated, multi-chamber 2-⅜” depth uPVC frame, delivering an AW-70 rating. The in-swing casement windows also feature multi-point locks, top-quality European-styled hardware, sash perimeter compression seal technology, and opening limit safety devices. All the Crystal windows were finished in two-tone color, with extruded white interiors and durable Renolit black finish exteriors.

To enhance the window thermal efficiency for the 35 Commercial Street project, Crystal provided 1-⁵⁄₁₆” insulated glass units (IGUs) with Cardinal LoĒ³-366 glass with Argon filling. Where appropriate, tempered Charcoal color spandrel glass was used.

Further adding to the window energy efficiency was the use of trickle ventilators on the operating windows. Trickle ventilators, extensively used in Europe, provide a convenient alternative to opening windows for fresh air exchange without energy loss of the space conditioned interior air. Crystal sourced trickle ventilators from Titon of Indianapolis, IN and factory installed them into the uPVC window frames.

Facilitating the fast and easy installation of the MAGNUS windows, Crystal provided the project with all the necessary aluminum receptors, subsills, anchor straps, and 3-piece and corner mullions. Crystal’s Missouri-based subsidiary Gateway Extrusions supplied the aluminum installation accessories which were finished, where required, in sustainable powder coat paint black exterior and white interior finishes.

Several public-private partners, including Park Tower Group and Greenpoint Landing Associates of New York, NY, along with local government agencies New York City Housing Preservation and Development (NYC HPD), and Housing Development Corporation (NYC HDC), came together to develop this project.  Designed by Handel Architects of New York, NY, 35 Commercial Street was built by general contractor Monadnock Construction of Brooklyn, NY.  Adler Windows, of Jamaica, Queens, NY, handled fenestration installation.

Situated along the Brooklyn waterfront, 35 Commercial Street is part of a multi-building major development, Greenpoint Landing, revitalizing the formerly blighted area with a vibrant new community.  With a red brick façade and entrance archway, 35 Commercial Street echoes the neighborhood’s former industrial past and adds a traditional contrast aesthetic to the surrounding new glass and metal structures.  The massive building, which occupies much of a city block, will provide 374 affordable housing apartments and 7,600-ft² of ground floor retail. Building amenities include landscaped courtyards for residents, indoor/outdoor children’s play areas, a communal lounge, fitness center, and bicycle parking.