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FilBen Group, RSF Partners, McAlpine, and H2M finish structural work and building enclosure




Montebello, NY — Owner/developer FilBen Group, equity partner RSF Partners, general contractor McAlpine Contracting, and designer H2M Architects + Engineers reached a major milestone of completing the structural system and building enclosure, or “envelope,” for Braemar at Montebello. Upon completion in 2024, the Braemar property will be a 200-resident, four-level, 133,675 s/f, luxury assisted living residence located on 6.2 bucolic Lower Hudson Valley acres at 250 Lafayette Ave. in Montebello.

“Today we celebrate an important construction milestone for the new Braemar Montebello community. We expect senior residents of Rockland County, the Lower Hudson Valley, as well as the greater New York area and northern New Jersey, to be attracted to the active lifestyle and luxurious amenities that this community will offer. The property will open to residents next year,” said Richard Filaski, managing director of FilBen Group.

The property is close to Harriman State Park in Rockland County and offers breathtaking views of adjacent woods, large private properties, meadows, and rolling hills. The parcel is adjacent to a larger site that includes the Montebello commercial center, which will offer Braemar’s residents access to retail, entertainment, dining, and medical services within close proximity of their home.

The owner/developer is a partnership between FilBen Group and RSF Partners, a private equity firm based in Dallas, TX. M&T Bank provided a $34.8 million construction loan. The development will receive sales tax exemption of up to $1,976,809 for state and local sales taxes as well as a mortgage recording exemption in the amount of $360,055.50.

The development site is long, narrow, and sloped, which created design challenges as well. “The building footprint is elongated and fairly shallow to match the property configuration,” shared Mark McKee, AIA, H2M senior architect. “Large areas of glazing will draw natural light into all of the interiors and will offer grander views than those typical available in other senior residences.” H2M designed the Braemer Wallkill property and is currently working with FilBen on the design of the Carmel development.

Additional team members include site engineer Booker Engineering, landscape designer Robert G. Torgersen, LA; mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) engineer Fellenzer Engineering LLP; and structural engineer Mulhern+Kulp Residential Structural Engineering.

“This $54 million project will add a beautiful, high quality senior care residence for the Montebello and Rockland County communities,” said McAlpine VP John Nolan. "Because of the location of the building on a sloping site, which will offer breathtaking views to the residents, the project presented several technical and logistical challenges to the construction and design team. For example, construction of foundations and the structural system had to proceed in a phased, staggered manner to accelerate the schedule, while addressing access and site engineering complexities,” he added.

The total development cost of the project is $54 million, including $36 million in construction cost.

“The property slopes significantly from a high point at the south toward a low point at the north, and the linear building plan has been placed perpendicular to the line of the slope, with three levels above grade to the south and an additional lower level above grade to the north,” explained Nolan. The building plan has a central section and two symmetrical wings that bends from that section toward the north. A port cochere and circular vehicular drop off will be centered in the south façade on the main level, on grade with the main parking lot to the south and a staff parking lot and service entrance to the east. Active outdoor resident areas will be located at both the north and south building facades, while hiking paths will span the grounds.

Victorian-era buildings in the surrounding area provided the design inspiration for the building façade. Simulated wood look horizontal beveled siding in a neutral palette will be combined with stone veneers at the main level facing the outdoor patios and on the upper levels above the entrance. Columns with stone veneer bases will support the pitched roof of the porte-cochère. Windows will be in a traditional double-hung style. The roof will feature pitched mansard sections on the perimeter and reverse gables with decorative trim to invoke a Victorian aesthetic.


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