Blog

Project

Mount Saint Mary College – Newburgh, NY

Mount Saint Mary College tasked our team with transforming an under-utilized residence hall
and former chapel into a state-of-the-art wellness center on its Newburgh campus. The
Desmond Center for Community Engagement and Wellness Center was proposed to provide
medical and educational services for underserved individuals and families in the local
community, including the uninsured.

Blueprints

This project required both the renovation of existing structures and the construction of new
structures. Our team took the lead on converting the existing chapel into a new multi-purpose
room, which included a 200-square-foot addition. We also constructed an 800-square-foot,
two-story lobby, and reception area that included a steel structure, glass curtainwall system,
exterior aluminum panel siding, custom steel stair system with glass railing, and a custom
reception desk. We renovated 14,000 square feet of the former residence hall’s interior,
including window replacements and a complete remodel of the HVAC system, electrical,
plumbing, and other finishes, transforming the space into exam rooms for patients and offices
for healthcare staff and students.

Nuts & Bolts

Our team specializes in preserving the special details that make every project unique, especially
when it comes to renovations. While renovating the chapel into a multi-purpose room, our
team was able to salvage and incorporate all of the existing stained glass from the chapel into
the designs of the new addition, preserving the character of the former structure. Over 2,000
existing bricks were salvaged, cleaned, and reused in the final design, lending to a more
authentic final design.

Completion

MHCM has a vast history of seeing projects through from conception to completion, allowing
the team to successfully lead a project like the Desmond Center to its current completed state.
The Desmond Center for Community and Engagement was completed in April 2023, just 14
months after breaking ground. In addition to providing opportunities for area educators and
professionals to volunteer their services, the Center will also house the college’s Desmond
program for adult enrichment. It will hold educational workshops, family counseling services,
fitness checks, immunizations, and professional development events, among other services.
The Desmond Center expects to serve more than 4,000 residents per year and be instrumental
in supporting the long-term health and wellness of the community.