This Project “Shanghvi Plaza” is about 9,500 sq ft of new Retail Commercial Building, at this time leased by the National Retail Store Chain of “Family Dollar”, a Multi-Billion dollar, Fortune 500 company.

This building is located right at the Intersection of 2 major roads “Stuyvesant Av.” and “Mill Rd.” and is the focal point of Entrance to the Town from Garden State Parkway. As such it is at a Critical point serving as a Gateway into the Township. It shall serve as a lasting great Functional and Aesthetic Image to the Township.

This Project is Unique in it’s Shape, Form and Aesthetics. The front façade follows the curve of the street and there are only 2 other sides to the building making it kind of in the shape of a slice of Pizza. As such it came with it’s own challenges of Planning for the Exterior and the Interior, however making it Interesting and Aesthetic to Look and Experience.

The approximately $1.2 Million dollar project privately funded by prominent Irvington, NJ businessman and his son is one of the many they plan to do. It transforms the unattractive, underutilized area into a lively Commercial Building which according to Mayor Smith shall be one of the 3 legs of the Commercial area stool for Irvington, NJ, part of the $25 million improvements in this area. As Mayor Smith says “These Projects will give the area a Revitalized look and bring new Energy to the Community.”

This building Elevates the Aesthetics of the Region and shall become a hub and attraction point for surrounding areas. The front façade was planned as a long sweeping Arc following the curve of the street.

The Center being a focal point visible from a long distance, we made it a 2 story attractive brick element with a sloping pediment and roof structure. For functional and aesthetic looks we kept the bottom half of façade as ½” thin brick on metal panels screwed into metal stud framed walls. This allowed us not to waste valuable retail rentable space and avoid high costs of foundation, detailing etc. associated with conventional 4” brick system.

The upper half was designed as stepped parapets to break the monotony of a long façade, finished with Cornices of Dentils and metal coping with 3 Stucco system on metal lath and built up insulation panels. It resulted in a great play of shade and shadows as the Sun hits the façade most of the day and the use of Earthy Colors made a good composition of Solids and Voids.

The Clerestory windows were a response to the functional requirement of high Interior shelving and racking along the Exterior walls from Family Dollar.

We created wall patterns in Brick and Stucco to bring the Scale down and break the monotony of the long facades.

Underside Lighted Fabric Canopies served as a contrast, for Weather Protection, Aesthetics and a soft Welcoming atmosphere to Users.

Decorative Motifs and Projected sills were proposed to get the extra punch.

The rear facades were designed for their Utilitarian use and carrying the same concept all around the building.

As such it turned out a very attractive Building/Environment which enhances the Functional and Aesthetic Quality of Life in the Area.