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At the corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, in the heart of bustling Manhattan, stands the Flatiron Building – one of the most recognisable buildings and an icon of New York. Resembling a triangular iron, this architectural marvel has been a symbol of the city for decades and has appeared in countless films, including the famous Spider-Man series. Now, after more than a century of existence, it is undergoing a spectacular metamorphosis that will transform it from an office building into a residential space – home to 60 exclusive apartments.

A Polish company from Bielsko-Biała will play an important role in this historic transformation. It will supply 1,000 unique aluminium and wooden windows that will restore the building to its former glory and give it a modern feel. The challenge was enormous,” says Tomasz Grela, CEO of Aluprof. “Finding the right solutions required precision, advanced technology and numerous acoustic and energy-saving tests. It was only on the fourth attempt that we were able to select the right type of laminated glass that provided the required level of sound insulation.

Built in 1902 in the Beaux-Arts style, the building is rich in detail: intricate cornices, curved windows at the corners and a steel facade finished in limestone and terracotta. The renovation of the building, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979, was carried out with a view to preserving its original features. For this reason, every technological proposal had to be approved by the conservationists. In the end, a combination of aluminium and European oak was chosen, giving the interiors a modern style while paying homage to the classical architecture.

As Tomasz Grela points out, the process was complex: “It was only the twelfth version of the technology that was accepted. We had to pay attention to the smallest details to ensure that the façade, which was reproduced with the utmost precision, would meet the high aesthetic and functional requirements.

You could say that the renovation of the Flatiron Building is also a triumph of ecology. Rather than demolish the building and build a new one, it was decided to renovate the existing structure, which will significantly reduce CO2 emissions and conserve resources. The nearly $5 million project links the past with the future, proving that historic architecture can coexist harmoniously with the latest technology.

For Aluprof, taking part in this investment is a great honour. It is not only a challenge for us, but also an opportunity to confirm our position as a leader in the industry,’ says Tomasz Grela. The knowledge we have gained will enable us to take on other ambitious projects around the world. Flatiron Building is entering a new chapter in its history, and with it, Polish engineering thinking is reaching the heights of global architecture.

Aluprof has 5 production plants in Poland and 9 sales companies in Europe and the USA. It is present in more than 50 countries around the world.