FAQ | 560 Riverside Drive Lobby & Plaza Renovation

The project will reopen and modernize the unused Annex Lobby at Level 1-A at 560 Riverside Drive, restoring it as a functional building entrance. The renovation includes improvements to the entrance, storefront, doors, interior finishes, millwork, and HVAC. The new entrance will provide Annex residents with more direct access to 125th Street, the Morningside campus, and public transportation, while also increasing building security and improving circulation between the Annex and the Main Building.

The project will improve the outdoor Plaza areas serving 560 Riverside Drive, with renovations taking place in the upper and lower plaza and the breezeway. The existing Plaza has experienced ongoing water infiltration that needs to be addressed. Rather than continuing with incremental and temporary repairs, this project will replace the roofing systems as a longer-lasting waterproofing solution and make broader improvements to drainage, paving, landscaping, accessibility, and related elements throughout these areas.

Both projects are expected to begin in November 2026, with completion targeted for Spring 2028. Schedules may shift based on site conditions, material availability, weather, inspections, or other unforeseen circumstances.

The construction team designed the Lobby and Plaza renovation projects to have overlapping schedules in order to reduce the amount of time that construction is taking place at the building and minimize combined impacts on resident access and building operations.

Yes. A separate K-Line riser replacement project is also planned for the Annex Building, affecting 22 apartments in the K-Line. That project addresses corroded HVAC piping and involves work inside specific apartments. It is managed on a separate timeline, and affected residents are receiving direct communication about that project. The teams are coordinating across all active projects to manage the overall impact on the building.

Yes. Once the construction schedule and phasing are finalized, residents will receive additional information identifying anticipated start dates, major phases, and estimated completion dates. Because large construction projects can encounter unforeseen conditions, schedules will be updated as necessary throughout the work. Schedule updates will be shared by email and posted in the Main Building lobby.

A safe route to the Annex elevators will be maintained at all times. Access through the breezeway may be temporarily modified depending on the phase of construction, and residents will receive advance notice of any significant changes to the usual path.

Yes. Maintaining access to the Annex elevators is a priority throughout the project. If temporary interruptions or alternate routes become necessary, residents will receive advance notice.

Yes. A safe route between the Main Building and the Annex will be maintained throughout construction. The exact route may change as work progresses, and temporary directional signage will be installed as needed.

Yes. Once the renovation is complete, the Annex Lobby will serve as an accessible entrance to the building, including new access from 125th Street that does not currently exist. This will provide Annex residents with a more direct entry point and easier access to the Morningside campus and public transportation, in addition to the Main Building lobby.

Yes. A door attendant is planned for the renovated Annex Lobby once the project is complete. Staffing and shift coverage for the renovated Annex Lobby are currently under review. We will share additional information as plans are finalized.

No. Package delivery and mail will continue to be handled through the Main Building lobby, as they are today. There are no changes planned to package or mail operations as part of this project.

Parking and garage access are not expected to be directly affected. Some coordination with the construction team may be needed at times, and residents will be notified if any temporary adjustments are required.

Deliveries and moving activities are not expected to be directly affected. Some coordination with the construction team may be needed at times, and residents will be notified if any temporary adjustments are required.

The renovated Annex Lobby will provide a new, accessible entrance to the building with direct access to 125th Street, the Morningside campus, and public transportation. The space will feature modernized finishes, improved lighting, new doors and storefront, updated HVAC, and increased security.

The playground will be closed for the duration of the Plaza renovation and will reopen once the work is complete.

The seasonal BBQ area, located on the upper Plaza toward the Annex, will be unavailable during the Plaza renovation. The BBQ area will reopen once the work is complete.

No. The concrete wading pool and water feature on the Plaza will not be restored as part of this renovation. The project is focused on resolving water infiltration and modernizing the Plaza’s paving, drainage, landscaping, and accessibility.

While the Plaza renovation primarily addresses water infiltration, several amenities are being improved and modernized as part of the project. The playground will receive new equipment, and new barbecue grills will be installed. The renovated Plaza will also include a basketball court and community garden. These improvements are coupled with enhancements to paving, drainage, accessibility, and landscaping throughout the Plaza.

No. The Plaza will not be available for resident events during the construction period.

The lion statues on the south Plaza and the Frog Baby Fountain in the Breezeway will be preserved and incorporated into the renovated design. These elements will be protected during construction and returned to their locations as part of the completed project.

The renovated Plaza will resolve the ongoing water infiltration issues that have affected the building. Residents will benefit from improved outdoor spaces with upgraded paving, drainage, landscaping, and accessibility. The project will also improve walkways and circulation throughout the Plaza area.

Like any construction project, the Plaza renovation will not come without some inconveniences and impacts while construction is taking place. The management team at 560 Riverside is working closely with the construction team to minimize impacts as much as possible. Some impacts to expect during the course of the project include noise due to demolition and jackhammering of the existing plaza; temporary loss of access to the playground and other services on the Plaza while under construction; increase of contractor employees onsite; and other impacts.

Construction activity is scheduled Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Work that generates significant noise will be restricted to 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Residents will be notified if any work outside of these hours becomes necessary.

Some construction activities will generate temporary noise and dust, particularly during exterior demolition and paving work. The construction team is required to implement control measures throughout the project. These include using electric equipment in place of fuel-powered tools where possible, installing noise-reduction blankets and enclosures around the loudest work areas, and wetting surfaces and using dust screens during demolition to limit airborne dust. Residents will be notified if specific work requires additional precautions.

Yes. Demolition is expected to be the noisiest phase of the project, particularly during removal of the existing Plaza surface and roofing systems. This work will involve jackhammering and other heavy equipment. Once demolition is complete, noise levels are expected to decrease for the remainder of the project. Residents will be notified in advance of scheduled demolition work, including anticipated duration and the areas of the Plaza affected.

The Imagine Daycare Center is expected to operate normally throughout the project. There may be periods of general construction noise, and the contractor will implement appropriate measures to minimize disruption.

Residents may contact Residential Operations at [email protected] with questions or concerns related to the renovation projects. For building maintenance issues, residents should continue to contact the Resident Manager during working hours or the Facilities Service Center outside of working hours, through the normal process.

Residents who anticipate difficulty with a temporary construction route or access change should contact Residential Operations at [email protected] as early as possible so the concern can be reviewed before the affected phase of work begins.