Existing Conditions Presents the Pinnacle Penthouse at AIANYC

A 3D photo that captures a segment of the intricate stone facade of the Woolworth Building, and past it, the Hudson River and Manhattan — An exterior TruView VSV shot from atop the Woolworth Building, capturing the façade with measurements. Photogrammetry was one component of how Existing Conditions provided an accurate phased BIM model to the architects and developers.

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[New York, NY, January 31, 2025] Some 50 architects and engineers joined Existing Conditions’ Paul Lindsey, EndiRichard Jolalpa, and Jesus Bravo, and architect David Hotson for an in-depth discussion of how Hotson utilized phased BIM modeling and rectified drone photogrammetry to create his vision atop the iconic Woolworth Building.

Hotson provided historical perspective and his process for re-imagining the unique five-story space as a contemporary penthouse while honoring the historical building’s iconic façade. “A meticulous model has to be the start,” he said. “Having the 360 panorama drives everything.”

Jolalpa and Bravo, the Project Managers responsible for the reality capture, furnished the audience with detailed background on how they achieved accurate rectified drone imagery 29 stories up and across the street from City Hall without incurring the wrath of the authorities. And, how they captured the unusual 100 ft. interior vertical space with extremely high accuracy.

The panel at AIANYC sitting in front of images of the reality capture while they discuss the project. — The panel at AIANYC from left to right: Architect David Hotson, Existing Conditions’ EndiRichard Jolalpa, Jesus Bravo, and Paul Lindsey.

In answer to a question about how preservationists might utilize Existing Conditions’ services, Jolalpa said, “Everything we do is part of capturing history.”

Existing Conditions is now a GPRS company. To learn more about our work on the Pinnacle Penthouse, you can see our full case study, here.