Rooftop Playground Planned at Webb Building
Vincennes Academy is literally bringing daycare to a new level while providing a needed service for downtown-area workers and residents with young children. A rooftop playground is being built for the daycare center under construction on the first two floors of the Webb Building at 92 Pearl Street. The facility is scheduled to open this fall and will have an enrollment capacity of 140 children between the ages of six weeks and five years.
Renovation plans for the Webb and the design of the daycare center were created by Carmina & Wood, PC architecture, engineering and interior design. Vincennes Academy’s owner Mary Beth DeJohn tasked Carmina & Wood to create an exciting facility. “Dynamic not drab,” according to project architect Jonathan H. Morris, AIA.
Four brightly colored classrooms will occupy each of the first two floors and a performance stage area is planned for the building’s main lobby. Offices were designed to look like cabins or huts with corrugated metal roofs and walls have been flared and angled. “We will be keeping the industrial character of the building visible,” says Morris. Those elements include thick masonry walls and arches, cast iron columns, and wood floor joists in the ceilings.
One of the most intriguing components of the project is the rooftop play area for the students. DeJohn feels it is essential for children of all ages and abilities to experience outdoor play year-round. The rooftop environment features universally designed play equipment and will allow safe, outdoor fun in every season. The design meets State code and licensing requirements.
Vincennes Academy will cater to children of all developmental abilities and operate from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. The facility will offer on-site services provided by occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, counselors, social workers, and special education teachers.
According to a recent study, there is growing demand for licensed childcare downtown. Other studies have shown that offering child care assistance helps employers recruit and retain workers, reduce absenteeism and turnover, and improve productivity. Daycare is often a challenge for parents and Vincennes Academy may help attract businesses that need this type of facility for their employees to the downtown area. Vincennes’ plans are complemented by a recent announcement that Sheehan Hospital on the near-East Side is planning to create an adult daycare facility on one of its floors.
Mary Beth DeJohn is excited about the new Vincennes Academy. She sees an unmet demand for daycare in the city and hints of plans for additional locations.
The J.A. Webb Building was built in 1878 and has been vacant for almost two decades. Upper floors of the building are in the latter stages of being converted into 32 loft apartments by Rocco Termini and Signature Development.
Get Connected: Vincennes Academy, 716.883.0609
Images courtesy of Camina & Wood.
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
Related Articles
-
My Favorite Buildings
After reading a recent Buffalo News story about funding and delays in renovation of the Buffalo State Psychiatric Hospital I was reminded of how much I love that building. This structure designed by H.H. Richardson is massive and I love the whole thing. However I really love the part that no one thinks of, the 1/4 mile long wings (or should I say wing since one wing was lopped off in the 60's). This building is not considered to be one of Richardson's best buildings. But, t …
- Sep 28th 2011, 11:02am
- Continue Reading
- 26 Comments
-
My Favorite Buildings
This house on Richmond Avenue is very unusual for Buffalo. It stands out among its wooden neighbors not only in material but also in detail and form. Buffalo is overwhelmingly constructed of wood with brick coming in a distant second as a material. Stone houses are very rare. Also rare is the Palazzo styling and shape of this house. Buffalo's Queen Anne Victorians are strong expressions of Buffalo's new money attitude in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Unlike staid Delawa …
- Sep 28th 2011, 11:00am
- Continue Reading
- 13 Comments
-
If You See This Posting, You're at the Wrong Site
We've updated Buffalo Rising. Some people haven't seen it yet, though, so if you're seeing this post, you need to refresh your browser to be taken to the new www.buffalorising.com. If hitting refresh alone doesn't do it, hold the *shift* key and hit refresh. If that doesn't work and you still see this old version of the site, try going to this story. That should certainly take you to the new site and from there, you can navigate around the new BuffaloRising.com.
- Feb 5th 2009, 9:21pm
- Continue Reading
- 3 Comments
-
The Wait is Almost Over - BR's New Site
As we mentioned in our previous post, we’re in the process of changing the Buffalo Rising site. We’re almost there as we expect to launch the new site on Friday, December 19th.
In the meantime, posting will be light as we log new stories in the new publishing system which will only be viewable when we launch on Friday.
As always, we appreciate our users’ patience as we make this transition but we promise it will be well worth it. With faster load times, a comment view … - Dec 18th 2008, 11:32am
- Continue Reading
- 6 Comments
Comment Options
justinsane22
I remember walking by this building last summer to Taste of Buffalo while home on leave from Iraq and thinking, "what an awesome building, if only I could..." And whatta ya know. This is what I'm talking about, can't wait to get my feet wet in the restoration biz. That block might as well be paved with gold now. Aren't there a couple more buildings on that strip that are available?
Report this
chris69
Ive been to other cities and one of the things that suprises me about Buffalo is that we make practically no use for our rooftops.
-some cities make their roofs green with actual lawns, brush and trees...its practically a nature preserve with buildings in Salt Lake City
-other cities like Boston love rooftop restaurants because their insulated from street level distractions, offer privacy and incredible views
-other cities like Dallas comes to mind where they put running/jogging tracks on the roof
-other cities put the majority of their bar on the rooftop because there are no smoking restrictions outdoors. So put the dance floor inside to prevent noise violation...and the socializing outside. Smokers love it!
It wouldnt be hard to do any of the above in Buffalo....yet....not a single Building in Buffalo has demonstrated any creativity with this valuable an unused real estate.
I applaud the owner...for his creativity of a rooftop playground.
Report this
Willie1
Didn't Mark C. open the Skybar on Franklin Street at least 10 years ago. I remember it as a fun place. I think it is still there, while I'm not sure what name it is open as. It was fairly well done.
Report this
TBone
Chris is absolutely right. Personally I am desperate for a city apartment complex with a pool, the roof is often the most cost efficient place to put them.
Report this
Antonio
They should plan a worker's safety classroom on the roof. Burke Construction, the idiot contractor doing this job has been fined at least twice for unsafe job sites- this one resulting in the death of a construction worker. Hey, but at least we got a playground.
Report this
MisterChips
Antonio beat me to it. The playground or some other space should be dedicated to Jonathan Fundalinski.
Report this
catsrule16
I think its an awesome idea!!!!!! Also great use for the roof top!!
Report this
WilliamZabkaAllStars
Let's hope Rocco, Burke and C&W build a fence around the building's edge so some kids don't plunge to their death.
Agree with the sentiment Mr. Fundalinski should be honored in some way.
Report this
Sal
The project at 291 Bryant St has a rooftop area. I just rented 4 out of 6 apartments there. Another project at 255 Huntington Ave will have a garage with rooftop area also. Access and fire regulations must be considered by the architect before these can be built, costing more.
Report this
urbanboarder
Just curious how the playground on the roof will be useful during our harsh winters? I see nothing but sky..
Report this
chrish
I suggested to Rocco that the playground be named "Charlotte's Webb."
Report this
BuffaloCook
I would like to open a rooftop pool club in the city. Where you pay a membership fee and all the city dwellers can swim, go to lunch, layout, etc. Are there any buildings with outdoor pools? what about the aqua tower at Lexington? Thats my idea, if anyone with money wants to steal it and start the club, feel free.
Report this
AuburnAve
Did Willie1 even read the article? When I first saw it, I assumed it was another Sky Bar also. Hey, a "playground" can be fun for adults too, y'know? Thought it might be a new skybar-like club or spa or something. I actually thought about the exact same thing Cook... We'll raise money. Don't give away any more genius money making business ideas. (and it could be a skating rink in the winter... Oops).
Naahhh... It'd never work. I can't even begin to imagine the cost. Even just reinforcing the roof has got to be money.
Report this
Kip
I must reply to this: "Just curious how the playground on the roof will be useful during our harsh winters? I see nothing but sky... "
Well it will be just as useful as any other playground located in the northern part of the country? Just because it gets cold in the winter you dont build playgrounds for kids....what’s next no new parks? Sorry typical negative Buffalo attitude anything different gets met with criticism.
Yes more roof top use would be awesome… my buddy lives in the Sidway and we have manged to get on the rooftop before …Great view of Buffalo!
Report this
BuffaloCook
Hmmmmm secret rooftop smoking club would be nice ;)
Report this
GorgeousGeorge
why whatever do you mean B/C? Just tell me where!!
Report this
Andrew
Good idea. It would be cool to look at from other high rises. good job with this building. i love whats happening in buffalo right now
Report this