Our Process

Built in 1860, St. Ann's Warehouse was originally fabricated as a Tobacco Warehouse.  It was built 5 stories tall near the East river on the heights of Brooklyn, over-looking lower Manhattan.  Through the years, the building dramatically evolved similar to the city around it.  It was downsized around the 1870's, when the Brooklyn Bridge was built over top of it.  In the 1940's, three stories were removed to avoid fire protection codes.  That proved to be a fateful decision during the arson wave of the 1970's.  A fire was started that left the building abandoned for years.  It has since then been resurrected as the wonderful home to St. Ann's Warehouse Performing Arts Institution.  The warehouse has a multitude of areas that allow visitors to immerse themselves into the arts.  The warehouse includes the theatre that seats 300-700 people, a multi-use studio for smaller events, and the Max Family Garden.  The St. Ann's Warehouse project came to life with the partnership between Marvel Architects, York Construction Group, and GBA Architectural Products + Services.  

Marvel Architects is an international firm dedicated to creativity and diversity.  They have an  "award-winning reputation for designing at the intersection of public and private space."   Marvel Architect's projects "have been recognized with over 125 international industry design awards including the AIA's highest honors," according to their website.  

Yorke Construction Group was founded in 1923 and has been serving the New York City area since then.  Yorke Construction prides themselves on "offering personalized construction services to the greater metropolitan performing arts community, as well as local foundations, educational institutions, and high-end residential condos." 

A large part of the design was to create a clerestory window, topping off two whole elevations and wrapping onto the other two elevations. The goal was a light penetrating surface that was functional and durable.  The final product chosen was a very popular glass brick, VISTABRIK®, which is a 3" thick solo glass masonry unit.  

Collaborations with Marvel and York on product identification, design refinement, dimensioning, detailing, and execution is what we have specialized in for over 35 years.  The final design was a 4" x 8" x 3" glass brick unit laid in a running bond which became the largest glass brick running bond project in the country at the time, with no visible mullions or tiebacks.  The ability of the glass brick to allow light to penetrate during either the day or night, creates the luminous and welcoming appearance Marvel designed.  The end result was a design masterpiece, perched under the Brooklyn Bridge.  

Architect
Marvel Architects
General Contractor
Yorke Construction Corporation
Product
4" x 8" x 3" VISTABRIK®

Main Street Station Gallery

St. Anns Warehouse glass brick warehouse St Anns glass brick warehouse St. Anns Warehouse | glass brick warehouse glass brick warehouse St. Annes Warehouse (in Progress 9-12-14)

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Create spaces that feel open, private, and beautifully illuminated.

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What Customers Say

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"Work was done very professionally with outstanding quality.  Your crews were very attentive to detail & made sure to protect surrounding work surfaces from damage.  They communicated well with my field team to ensure we & the Owner were satisfied with the end product.  Job well done." - Russell Stafford, RNGD A Palmisano Company

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"We were lucky to have GBA on our project at Lutheran East High School. From the front office to the field supervision and crew were very knowledgeable with our project. Took extra care not to damage the building during demolition. The quality of materials and their labor force was top-notch." — Peter Powell, Carey Construction Group

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"We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the glass block at Lutheran East High School and have received many compliments on the design. The glass block windows give the building a nice “pop” of color on the exterior each side of the gym and helped to maintain the identity of the school." - Rick Jozity, Meraki Architects, L.L.C 

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"I saw the final glass block wall in person and it really is a work of art. We are so grateful for your team’s hard work on this." – Crister Cantrell, Gensler

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"As the Senior Project Manager for the general contracting company responsible for completing all aspects of the historical restoration, structural rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse modifications to the derelict Triboro tuberculosis hospital, one of the most difficult challenges was finding capable and qualified subcontractors for the key restoration trades that are both committed to quality construction and respectful of the historical restoration process.  I am lucky enough to have worked with GBA on previous successful projects and was glad to bring them into this project.  GBA provided the essential expertise and quality craftsmanship that this project needed and was a reliable partner helping us convert the Triboro Tuberculosis Hospital into the T Building Residence." – Senior Project Manager, Bill Harwood for the GC, Mega Contracting

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"On behalf of me, my project manager and CGC; I would like to reach out to applaud the quality and workmanship of the crew sent out to do the glass block wall outside of the theater here in Hudson. Dan and Nate went above and beyond to keep their work area organized and clean, even protected our finish trim and VWC in the mixing area with plastic. If only more companies active on site would follow in your companies steps these buildings would be cut and dry and run very efficiently. Thank you! - Jake M. Behler, Cameron General Contractors