Urbahn prepared the detention complex master plan, involving gut renovation, demolition of existing structures, new construction, and tenant relocation, followed by our design of several primary construction phases. The project completely transformed a full city block. The first phase relocated federal tenants out of an historic Bush Terminal warehouse, followed by the adaptive retrofit of one third of this structure into a dormitory style 500-bed detention center. After completion, the remaining two thirds of the warehouse was demolished using controlled implosion. The planning of the new 1000-cell facility on that site was based on direct supervision of both dormitories and single-cell housing units.
The new building was designed to harmonize with the historic structures of the Sunset Park Warehouse District. On the façade we utilized architectural concrete, tile, brickwork to create a subtle basketweave motif. An ornamental stainless steel security mesh assembly screens the open air recreation decks.