Tribeca’s 50 Hudson Street Redevelopment Unveils Unique Glass Brick Facade

The redevelopment of 50 Hudson Street in Tribeca, a project spanning two decades, is now complete, introducing a six-story mixed-use building with a unique glass brick facade. Developers Eric Schlagman and Miriam Rothstein transformed the original 1925 three-story paper factory into a property offering commercial condos for boutique offices and a luxury residential penthouse. The distinctive facade, designed by the late Thierry Despont, marks a first for New York City and was crucial in securing approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC).

Schlagman and Rothstein acquired the site in 2006, undertaking an initial restoration in 2008. Later, they pursued an expansion to six stories, which was permitted by the site's zoning but required a design that complemented the historic district without mimicking the original structure. Despont, known for his work on the Statue of Liberty, collaborated with structural engineer Anthony Gennaro and Jacobson Shinoda Architects on the three-floor addition. The 26,500-square-foot building, standing 59 feet tall, was completed this past summer. In April 2025, George Yancopoulos purchased most of the property for $32.2 million. This project demonstrates how innovative design can navigate historic preservation regulations to unlock development potential in dense urban environments.