Fulton Fish Market, the nation’s oldest and largest wholesale fish market, has relocated from its original site on Manhattan Island, New York, where it has done business since 1835, to an enormous new 400,000 sq. ft. facility in the Bronx.
Located at the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center, this ultra-innovative facility utilizes 532,000 sq. ft. of Metl-Span CF-42 panels for walls, interior partitions and coolers and 161,000 sq. ft. of Metl-Span CFR-42 roof panels.
The move was precipitated by the need to adhere to regulations implemented by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is responsible for leasing and development of the Fulton Fish Market as well as the Hunts Point markets. Originally announced by then-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in February, 2001, the $85 million project was completed in December, 2004.
The 1,300-foot-long building features a corridor down the center with vendors on either side. Each vendor stall has an open display space, a cooler and dry storage area. The building has eight separate entrances for increased efficiency. Unloading time has been cut in half. The building also includes a 100,000 sq. ft. mezzanine with space for offices, restrooms and lockers.
Cybul & Cybul Architects, Edgewater, NJ was involved in preparation of the final design for the Fulton Fish Market project. According to Martin Cybul, “The entire, enormous building is basically a refrigerator designed to be maintained at 45 degrees. The Metl-Span panels were integral to the design. They were used on exterior walls, the interior walls and the roof. The panels provided increased R value and a self-cleaning surface that was critical to the environment.”
Cost was an important factor, too. “The metal skin on the building provided significant cost savings and allowed us to bring the project in on budget,” Cybul said. “Our firm has specified Metl-Span for years. The installer and the construction management company both did a great job on the project.”
Installation of more than 130 truckloads of Metl-Span panels (nearly 700,000 sq. ft.) was completed by Girandola & Shutkind Construction Corp., Bronx, NY. “We’ve used Metl-Span before and always had a good experience. We were confident they could handle a project of this magnitude. This time was no exception,” says John Girandola. “In fact, Metl-Span helped us meet budget and virtually dedicated a plant to producing the job. We used 54’ roof panels, which made the installation quick and easy. G&S Construction had 10 supervisors on the job but the actual installation of both the wall and roof panels was done by top quality tradesmen from the International Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 608. We met a very tight schedule. The job went smoothly with no holdups at all, thanks in part to Metl-Span and our capable local trade union.”
The construction management company was Turner Construction Company, New York, NY.