Case Study: Mixed-Use Bronx Post Office

The historic Bronx Post Office, which once was an aging pillar of the Grand Concourse block of the Bronx, received a massive renovation starting in 2019. According to a New York Post article about the renovation, “the 191,701-square-foot five-story building is being renovated with shopping, dining, office space and 40 valet parking spaces.”

The goal of this mixed-use project was to make the entire space usable, bringing daylight into the space using EXTECH’s LIGHTWALL 3440 system and modern features throughout. Although a Cuban restaurant and Post Office don’t usually go hand in hand, the Bronx Post Office space separates the two, utilizing the space in a unique way.

Officially opened in May 2019, Zona De Cuba restaurant is located at the top of the building and boasts a bright and open atmosphere, bringing the experience of Cuba to the Bronx, NY. Customers can choose to dine or lounge in the fun atmosphere of the inside of the restaurant, or on the patio and enjoy breathtaking views of the city.

To help bring the warmth and cultural experience of Cuba to the inside of the space, warm lighting is incorporated throughout. Further enhancing the Cuban elements, EXTECH manufactured an orange translucent screen wall for the interior lobby and concierge desk. The SKYSHADE 3100 features polycarbonate standing seam panels which provide gentle light diffusion and a warm glow when backlit.

For a Cuban style indoor-outdoor dining experience, the restaurant opens through sets of folding glass doors. With the goal of bringing the natural elements from the outside in while keeping indoor guests comfortable, EXTECH’s LIGHTWALL 3440 system was incorporated in a unique way.

“This was a unique application of our LIGHTWALL 3440 system. It was used in this project for both daylighting and shading,” said Kevin Smith, Director of Product Application and Development.

Different polycarbonate panel options are available for a variety of applications, including IR panels that were used for this application.

“The panels glow at night and provide a better quality of light, blocking out both UV and infrared rays,” said Smith.

Approximately 3,700 sq. ft. of the LIGHTWALL 3440 system wrap around the exterior of the building. From inside the restaurant, the LIGHTWALL system provides shading to keep guests comfortable and to break up the ample light coming in from the large folding glass doors. The LIGHTWALL 3440 system was also used as a windscreen on the penthouse to hide maintenance equipment.

EXTECH was involved from start to finish, providing field measurements, drawings, and installing the system. Since its completion, the Bronx Post Office has been given a new life, featuring the first outdoor dining restaurant to come to the Bronx. More updates are to be made to make other portions of the building available in the future.