Lower East Side Tenement Museum

The Lower East Side Tenement Museum enhances its prominence in Lower Manhattan with renovations that celebrate the American immigration experience and the enduring power of urban renewal. SBI Consultants was retained by the Tenement Museum to provide cost estimating and pre-construction services to renovate its two historic properties at 91 Orchard Street and 103 Orchard Street. The delicate project involved structural renovations, interior improvements and upgrades to both buildings to meet the museum’s programmatic needs, including uncovering, retaining and exposing architectural and structural elements from previous renovations and integrating modern elements such as a dedicated film viewing room, a full-size kitchen and an art gallery/flexible space for educational and public use. Through every phase of planning and pre-construction, SBI engineers closely collaborated with the project team. During the planning phase, SBI provided conceptual and early schematic cost estimating services to facilitate design development, future forecasting and fundraising efforts. During the pre-construction phase, SBI was involved with the bidding and award of the renovation project, which entailed evaluating the recommended program; preparing a logistics plan, scope and a project specific request for proposal (RFP); updating the project’s hard and soft costs in light of the current pricing in the marketplace; drafting a preliminary time line, and updating the budget and anticipated cash flow. During the project’s bidding and negotiations phase, SBI recommended five suitable contractors, evaluated the received bids, and provided guidance as necessary prior to the award to the preferred contractor. SBI’s cost planning and estimating services were instrumental in supporting the Tenement Museum fulfill its mission of enhancing appreciation for the vital role immigrants play in shaping the American identity and is a top cultural destination in New York City.