L+M recently formalized its company values, and we asked our staff to share some of their stories that they feel exemplify our company values. This submission, fourth in a series of six, came from Andrea Pilat on our Builders PreCon team, and we think it’s an excellent example of one of our key values: Quality.

“Norman Towers is a preservation project in East Orange, NJ, seeking to improve the quality of life for more than 400 senior residents through renovations to the building and improvements to the property amenities.

Our team has upgraded the residential units and corridors by replacing the flooring, paint, cabinetry, and appliances throughout all 16 floors of the building. We have also modernized the community spaces, and now they are cheery, functional gathering spots featuring interesting artwork and a colorful geode mural   Outdoor seating areas have also been upgraded, with the addition of an outdoor kitchen and BBQ zone, and new communal garden boxes with potting benches which offer residents the opportunity to engage with nature and really get their hands dirty!

The Norman Towers’ residents will also have upgraded building amenities with access to an in-house 12-seat “movie theater” (complete with a real popcorn machine!), revamped billiards room, a new hair salon, and a gym with senior-friendly recumbent machines. The final transformation is underway in the main lobby. The original terrazzo floors are being restored, and a custom reclaimed oak and moss feature wall is being installed which will create a relaxing, inviting entry point to signal to each resident that they are home.

By focusing on quality of design, we are able to help improve our residents’ homes and hopefully contribute positively to their quality of life.”