Built in 1932, 125 Barclay Street is home to District Council 37 (DC 37), New York City’s largest public employees union. With the exception of retaining its original terra cotta floors, the 10-story building is under a full gut and exterior renovation to enhance operating efficiency, achieve longer term compliance with Local Law 97’s 2035 greenhouse gas emission limits, and improve the quality of the indoor environment for its inhabitants. System and interior upgrades include new mechanical, electrical, plumbing and sprinkler systems; an 11th story build-out; and new interior fit-outs with flex walls and modern finishes.

IMEG designed the high efficiency mechanical system using water-cooled variable refrigerant flow units (VRF) for the perimeter, which can be ramped up or down depending on demand, and simpler, less costly water cooler units for the interior. Two large dedicated outside air units (DOAs) will bring fresh air into the building and a MERV 13 air filtration system will be employed to achieve to address virus transmission concerns in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The design team is targeting LEED-Gold and WELL Building certifications.