Joel Ives IS&L Architecture Studio, LLC (201) 791-9800, Ext. 114 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it More Info

The Ives, Schier & Lesser Architecture Studio was recently awarded a contract with the Bergen Regional Medical Center (BRMC) for a Multi-Faith Chapel within the hospital. The Chapel will provide a flexible spiritual and gathering space for people of all faiths. The project reflects the diversity of Bergen County, New Jersey and, our design philosophy is respectful of all religions. IS&L has been the architect of many liturgical buildings however, this is the first time we have been asked to work with representatives of many religions who will be sharing one space. Perhaps, this is a little ray of hope in a world filled with conflict. Our staff is looking forward to this project and expects that our expertise designing religious buildings will generate other “multi-faith” projects in the future.

Joel Ives IS&L Architecture Studio, LLC (201) 791-9800, Ext. 114 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it More Info

The New Jersey Commercial Real Estate Alliance was recently formed. It is an organization that was created to provide collaborative expertise from all the professional disciplines normally involved in commercial real estate transactions. This provides greater value to a prospective venture and a more exhaustive and timely analysis of a project.

This new business approach gets all the real estate professionals “to the table” at one time, rather than the traditional approach of stringing out one activity after another and, never having many of these experts meet each other. Our approach affords our clients, especially those with distressed properties, a unique, fast moving, and economical resource. Considering the realities of the current state of the economy, the NJCREA looks at distressed properties and recommends new options that might not be revealed without the combined brainpower of a team, all working at the same time on a problem property.

The client has an option to consult with NJCREA as team, commission only those members of the alliance that meet his needs or, hire only one discipline that is critical to his project.

Joel Ives IS&L Architecture Studio, LLC (201) 791-9800, Ext. 114 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it More Info

The Ives Schier & Lesser Architecture Studio is often consulted to assist our clients with Building Code issues. We have been working with the Seafarers Union International at their main office in Brooklyn, New York to perform renovations, and to bring their building up to current Building Codes. Our staff has had many similar assignments in both New York and New Jersey. What's ironic about this commission is that the Seafarers Union had a “call up” to hire many people to work on the large hospital ships going to Haiti. Reports are coming out of Haiti that a major contributor to the disaster is poor compliance to Building Codes. Building construction is a complex undertaking under the best of circumstances, it requires the understanding of many disciplines not the least is expertise in Building Codes.

Joel Ives IS&L Architecture Studio, LLC (201) 791-9800, Ext. 114 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it More Info

Due to the turbulent economy, we have seen many vacant buildings and others that no are no longer relevant due to the changing needs of society. This has provided the Ives Schier and Lesser Architecture Studio with some unusual opportunities. Throughout history, buildings have outlived their original function. Utilizing an obsolete structure is the highest form of “green building” design and also makes economic sense. We are currently looking at an industrial building for adaptive re-use as medical offices and another for a restaurant. We are considering a large industrial building for re-use as a data center and a small industrial building for housing. We have adapted an underutilized office building for a temple and are currently examining a number of vacant auto dealerships. A word of caution is that you need an experienced team of professionals to work your way through the zoning approval process, the design and construction.

The Ives, Schier and Lesser Architecture Studio has renovated the facade of the 85,000 SF shopping center in the heart of Allendale, New Jersey. New entry features and towers were added to enhance appearance, and create visual interest. A 4,800 SF addition to the south increased the footprint of the center which maximized use of the site. The Town Center improvements also included complete site redevelopment: and reconfiguration of the parking lot and driveways for improved pedestrian safety. Also provided was new site and building lighting, sidewalks, curbing, paving and new landscaping. The work was completed while the shopping center was occupied to continue cash flow for the Owners and continuity for shoppers. IS&L obtained land use approvals as well as created the new center image.

The new look for Allendale will undoubtedly draw in more tenants and shoppers.