Window and PTAC Replacement FAQ

The PTAC abatement will begin after University Commencement and is scheduled to be completed in one month. Work is expected to last no more than one day in any apartment. One floor is scheduled to be completed each day.

Window and PTAC installations are scheduled to begin in early July and continue through early January. Work is expected to last no more than three days in any apartment. One floor is scheduled to be completed each week.

Abatement is expected to last no more than one day in any apartment, and is scheduled from 7:00am until approximately 7:00pm. Work will consist of: building a tent around each PTAC cabinet, removing the ACM, and sending air samples out to be tested at an independent lab. Once the team gets the approval from the independent lab that the air has passed clearance criteria, the tents will be removed, and furnishings will be returned to their original locations.

Asbestos abatement is highly regulated, and our vendors follow the strictest standards.

We urge residents to secure valuables, fragile items, personal belongings, and loose papers in advance of their abatement appointment. Small items should be cleared off of and 5 feet away from PTAC cabinets. We also ask residents to vacuum the surfaces near PTAC units because dust and pet dander can trigger false air testing results.

Installation will occur over three days, one for apartment preparation, one for PTAC unit installation, and one for window installation.

Movers will be provided on the first day to move furniture away from the windows and ensure the required clearance in apartment hallways to fit installation materials.

The second and third days will be the actual window and PTAC unit installations. Following the installations the movers will return furniture to its original locations. Each installation day is scheduled to begin at 8:00 am and will go on until that day's job is complete, approximately 7:00pm. 

While a security professional is scheduled for each floor during the installation process, we urge residents to secure valuables, fragile items, personal belongings, and loose papers in advance of their preparation appointment.

Residents are not permitted in apartments during the abatement process. 

Residents are encouraged to vacate apartments during the day while movers prepare and the PTACs are being installed. For safety reasons, residents are not permitted to be in the apartment on the day new windows are installed. 

An apartment will be available in 100 Bleecker for residents to use while work is done in their apartment. The apartment will be opened by building staff each morning and will feature WiFi. Pets are not permitted in the ST guest lounge.

Pets are not permitted in apartment during abatement or during the installation process.

We ask residents to make accommodations for your pets or avail yourselves of the pet-friendly guest apartment in 4 WSV. Pets left in the guest apartment unattended must be kept in a crate.

Residents do not have the option of opting out of receiving new windows because Silver Towers is a landmarked property, and the NYC Landmarks Commission requires that changes to the building facades must be uniform in appearance; therefore, all windows in both buildings must be replaced. This means that we cannot allow tenants to "opt out" of receiving new windows. 

Yes. NYU has installed the new windows in a vacant apartment in the 100 Bleecker building. You can request a key to the apartment from that building’s doorman.

The New York City Department of Building code requires sidewalk bridging for window replacement projects. The sidewalk bridging is green and has lighting as required by the New York City Department of Buildings. Diagrams of the bridging and site protection areas can be viewed here. Bridging installation is scheduled to take five weeks, beginning after Commencement. This work may be impacted by inclement weather. 

The size of the window frames exceeds that of the elevators and requires the use of an exterior hoist to transport the windows to each floor. The erection of materials hoists is scheduled to occur during the bridging installation. The hoist will be located on the south side of building 100 and the east side of building 110. Residents whose apartments face these building sides are advised to keep shades, blinds and curtains closed during project work hours.

Material storage will be fenced off and located between the two buildings. The Rocket Ship play area will close when the bridging installation begins. 

Silver Towers residents who currently have single-paned windows are eligible to receive new double-paned windows and PTAC units.

NYU worked with architects and environmental consultants to design and test window and air conditioner options that offer the best index of sound attenuation and performance, including insulation against the weather. 

Actual window options were installed in a vacant apartment in Silver Towers, and a series of open houses were conducted to enable residents to view the installation and provide feedback. Many residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the original design concept, which was to install a large window assembly inside the existing single paned window. We are pleased to report that we will be able to install double-paned windows in place of existing windows as requested by residents.

NYU received endorsements for abandoning the original design in favor of replacing the single-paned window in its existing frame with a double-paned window from both the Silver Towers Tenants Association and the Superblock Stewardship Advisory Committee. With these endorsements, we have received approval of the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC).

Replacing the windows at Silver Towers was a recommendation issued by the University Space Priorities Working Group in their 2014 report. It is part of their overarching recommendation to enhance the quality-of-life for residents on the Superblocks by improving the insulation, efficiency, and sound attenuation of the windows and air conditioners in those apartments.