A date to remember

May 7, 2012 was an auspicious day at Helpern Architects: Both Elizabeth McClure, whom we call Betty, and Karl Lehrke started to work here. We celebrate their efforts and note how their strong suits – Karl’s is design, Betty’s is project management – have contributed to some exciting projects. Today Karl is a Principal and Betty, a Senior Associate.

Betty came to us having already done a broad variety of institutional and private work of excellent quality. The replacement of 2500 windows and other façade repairs at Con Ed’s headquarters building is one of her projects. It is the latest of 30 years of work on the historic, block-square complex. Other projects are new offices that combine Fordham’s various IT departments into one off-campus space and the renovation of a private apartment overlooking the East River.

Karl’s prior experience includes substantial responsibility for major courthouses. Today, he is reclaiming the natatorium at CUNY’s John Jay College and developing designs from the Carnegie Hall master plan. Karl’s design for the AC Hotel New York Times Square has received extensive coverage and was the only site chosen by Boutique Design New York [BDNY] for the hotel tour that was part of its 2018 trade fair.