Karl Fischer (architect)

American architect

In 2003, Karl Fischer oversaw the conversion of the Williamsburg, Brooklyn Gretsch factory building to condos.

Karl Fischer (February 22, 1949 – March 12, 2019) was a Hungarian-born architect with practices in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and New York City.^[1][2]

Career and firm

A graduate of the McGill University School of Architecture, with both Bachelor of Science in Architecture (1971) and Bachelor of Architecture (1972) degrees,^[3] Fischer established his Canadian practice in 1984 and an office in New York City in 1999. Fischer was licensed in both Canada and the United States.^[4][5]

Fischer and his wife Pamela funded the CA$2,000 Karl Fischer Scholarship at McGill University, for students who have "...demonstrated excellence in the development of pragmatic solutions to architectural problems."^[3]

Works

Completed

• Gretsch Building (2003) – Conversion of a former Gretsch Musical Instruments factory into 130 luxury condominium units (60 Broadway, Williamsburg, Brooklyn).^[6][7]
• 20, 30 & 50 Bayard Street (2005–07) – Locally known as "Karl Fischer Row" or "Hot Karl Row", these multifamily buildings in Williamsburg, Brooklyn rise high over the southern edge of McCarren Park. 20 Bayard is a new 17 story building with 56 units, 30 Bayard is a new 12 story building with 40 units, and 50 Bayard is a 4-story renovation and 6 story addition with 70 units.^[4][6]
• Park Plaza (2002) – New $40-million, six-building development at 523 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 182 apartment units, designed for Hasidic residents.^[8]
• The Powerhouse (2005–07) – Residential conversion and 4 story addition to a former Pennsylvania Railroad power station in Long Island City, Queens.^[9]
• Schaefer Landing (2005) – 350 unit, 530,000-square-foot (49,000 m²) residential development on the East River in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, comprising one 25-story tower and one 15-story tower.
• Slate Condominium, 165 West 18th Street, New York, NY
• American Tract Society Building, 150 Nassau Street, New York, NY
• Vitre, 302 East 96th Street, Yorkville

Works in progress

• 100 Luquer Street – new 11-story residential building in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.
• 100 Parkside Avenue – new 270-unit mixed condo/rental building in Prospect Park South, Brooklyn on the site of the former Caledonian Hospital.^[10]
• Tom Condos, Montreal

References

1. "NY’s most loathed architect: It’s Karl Fischer, designer of glass boxes", New York Post, November 7, 2011
2. "Remembering the life of Karl Fischer 1949 - 2019".
3. Undergraduate Scholarships Awards 2005/06, McGill University, retrieved 2008-02-23
4. kfarchitect.com, retrieved 2007-11-30
5. Elkies, Lauren (2007-11-21), "As Brooklyn grows, so does architect Karl Fischer", The Real Deal, archived from the original on 2007-12-01, retrieved 2008-02-07
6. Bahney, Anna (2005-03-20), "Williamsburg Reinvented", The New York Times
7. Garbarine, Rachelle (2003-05-16), "Residential Real Estate; More Condominiums Take Shape in Williamsburg", New York Times
8. Oser, Alan S. (2002-04-28), "Williamsburg: More Housing, Higher Prices", New York Times
9. Vandam, Jeff (2005-02-06), "A Famed Skyline Fixture, Standing Tall Another Day", The New York Times
10. Rubinstein, Dana (2011-04-25). "Condo Project Comes Alive". The Wall Street Journal.

External links

• Karl Fischer Architect