Marble Mosaic Contributes in the Williamsburgh Bank Restoration
When the historic Williamsburgh Savings Bank was purchased in 2010 by Brooklyn hostel owner Juan Figueroa who decided to restore it and transform it into an event place, the idea was almost surreal. The bank was in such a desperate state that no one believed it could ever be saved again.
Today, and after two and a half years of restoration work worth $18.5 million, the landmark is almost complete, alongside a 40-story hotel which execution is still looking for funding.
According to the project’s manager, the restoration team faced an almost impossible mission. Some parts of the edifice had been in storage for 75 years, while others were covered with many layers of white paint, and sometimes with black dirt. Not to mention that three quarters of the mosaic marble flooring was missing or in complete disrepair.
Seeing the photographs of the restored place leaves no doubt about the amazing skills of the appointed work team. Resorting to “special” solutions, they managed to save the landmark or exactly replicate what couldn’t be saved and finish with an absolutely stunning masterpiece. The replacement mosaic flooring was quarried in Italy before being sent to Lebanon, where it was safely handed to Marble Mosaic that hand cut every piece of it.
We are proud to have been chosen to represent Lebanon as the only Lebanese mosaic art company contributing in this gigantic project, and to be associated with such international-scale ventures. You could check out photos of our restoration work for the Williamsburgh Savings Bank in our inspiration gallery.
The event space will open late this year or early next year under the name “Weylin B. Seymor”, for those who will be visiting New York soon and feel like seeing the final outcome of this fine project.
