- State liquor authority
- Acoustical analysis
- Noise code compliance
- Landmark building
GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. provided comprehensive acoustical consulting services for a proposed private membership club at 656 6th Avenue, located at the corner of West 20th Street, in Manhattan’s Flatiron District. The project involved the adaptive reuse of a deconsecrated former church into a multi-level, high-end hospitality venue offering dining, social, cultural, and co-working spaces, along with a seasonally operated outdoor courtyard.
Challenge
The Flatiron neighborhood includes a close mix of residential, commercial, institutional, and cultural uses. Upper-floor residential units near the site represented sensitive noise receptors, particularly during evening and late-night hours. The proposed club spans three floors and includes multiple dining and lounge spaces.
Solution
GZA measured existing ambient sound levels at the residential property line across West 20th Street during evening hours, establishing a conservative baseline for evaluating potential noise increases from venue operations. GZA performed detailed sound isolation testing of the building’s exterior façades using industry-standard ASTM methods. Measured NIC values provided a real-world assessment of sound transmission through the existing structure and informed modeling assumptions. The evaluation of potential noise impact was developed on a worst-case basis to assess potential impact i.e., the combination of the lowest outdoor ambient noise monitored and the consideration of continuous noise levels from the proposed venue.
Benefit
GZA’s analysis showed that both indoor operations and outdoor courtyard use would not result in exceedances of the NYC Noise Code at any nearby residential dwelling units, even under worst-case conditions. The study provided the technical documentation required to support the SLA application, helping to demonstrate that the proposed venue is appropriate for its location and operationally compatible with surrounding uses.