Century Sunrise Apartments

Project Details

Century and Sunrise Redevelopment is a Step in the Right Direction for Former Shoe Factory

A former shoe factory is now home to residents of the historic Century and Sunrise buildings in Johnson City, NY. Tenants of the newly converted apartment buildings have a window to the past, as each former shoe factory's huge windows now provide wonderful views and natural light. 

Endicott-Johnson became the world's largest shoe manufacturer by World War I. When the factory went out of business, the two multi-story brick and masonry industrial buildings sat vacant for decades. 

With a growing need for affordable housing, New York's Regan Development stepped in. In total, 104 residential apartments were created within the two buildings. A 3,500-square foot multi-level restaurant and café with garden space sits between the two buildings. 

Most notable about this historic transformation are the windows. Huge (Approximately 9 x 9 feet), operable windows were needed for this job. According to the project's architects, the windows "made the project" the standout that it is. 

Historic content and character are a must to receive Federal historic tax funding. Since the Century and Sunrise buildings were a former factory, the primary "character-defining" feature was its oversized windows. 

Both New York's State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the National Park Service (NPS) approved the window selection and design. Their preference to retain the original, thin windows with divided lites and adding storm windows for insulation proved to be unworkable, as the windows could not be repaired. 

More than 450 Winco Series 3250 Steel Replica windows with insulated low-e glass were installed in the two buildings. The divided lite pattern, which mimics the look of the original buildings, was achieved with a double bead grill on both the outside and inside of the glass. 

Today, the Century Sunrise Redevelopment serves science rather than shoes. The buildings are within walking distance from the Binghamton University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; down the block from UHS Hospital, one of the area's -largest employers.