Allith Hardware
The Metropolitan Building
In 1980, interior designer Eleanor Ambos spotted a diamond in the rough when she stumbled across the Metropolitan Building. The property was vacant and in a sad state of disrepair with 1,800 broken windows, a roof full of holes, and a basement filled with water from a broken sprinkler main. Built in 1909, the same year the iconic Queensboro Bridge was erected, the Metropolitan Building was originally an electrical parts factory. Ambos, who had a successful antique furniture rental business in Manhattan, saw the potential and bought the building for storage. She created a community and offered the space to fellow artisans as a workspace.
After years of effort by the determined designer, this once-decayed factory building was transformed and found a beautiful second life as a popular wedding destination and the backdrop to an array of professional photo, film, TV, and music video productions. To date, the building’s unique, picturesque character has attracted prominent magazines such as Italian Vogue, Marie Claire, Martha Stewart, and Vogue Bambini. Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdale’s, and Bergdorf Goodman have all shot catalog photos there as well.
Adaptive reuse architecture has breathed new life into historic structures like the Metropolitan Building, restoring this culturally significant site that would otherwise be demolished to make room for new buildings or parking lots. Key to revitalizing the Metropolitan was utilizing architectural elements that reflect the heritage and character of the original building. With Durand’s Tin Clad Fire Doors and hardware from Allith Manufacturing Co., the Metropolitan Building benefits from design details that add true architectural character and craftsmanship. These vintage doors provide longevity and aesthetic value, enhancing the building’s interior sense of depth and time.
Designers often seek out that star piece to lend personality to rooms, and our door systems fit the bill perfectly. First designed in the 19th century and reengineered for the 21st century, our Tin Clad Fire Doors and Sliding Door Hardware offer more than 120 years of proven design, along with the creation of a beautiful and authentic focal point in any room. The distinctive slanted top of the warehouse fire door was designed to coordinate with a weight-balanced rolling hardware system that was triggered when a significant fire was present. The door would roll down the track and slam shut as soon as a specific temperature was reached, effectively protecting the other areas of the building from the fire. Composed of treated wood and clad with metal, Tin Clad Fire Doors were originally built to withstand hours of potential fire spread, while the Reliable Hanger from Allith Manufacturing Co. ensured that the door closed reliably, every time. These doors are gaining popularity for a vintage look and for unprimed, raw-tin aesthetics. The elegant design and historical elements can blend with the traditional and the cutting-edge in any interior.
With five floors, four exposures, and 45,000 square feet of usable space, the Metropolitan Building today is a triumph of design that inspires the imagination. Each floor offers a unique atmosphere, including chandeliers, hand-painted floors, exposed brick, and large windows. Durand’s Tin Clad Doors are pieces of history and character that add warmth, texture, and a good story to historic buildings. We are proud that Durand’s Tin Clad Fire Doors and Allith Manufacturing Co. Hardware are centerpiece architectural elements to the Metropolitan Building.
For more information on Durand’s Tin Clad Fire Doors and Allith Manufacturing Co. hardware, contact sales@industrialbrands.com.
