The building dates back to World War II when the Sperry Corp. used it to manufacture airplane instruments. The reason for the dead slope and high parapets was to contain up to 20 inches of water so that this critical war factory would appear from above to be a fish hatchery.
The company is now finishing up the second phase of this three-phase, high-profile project, which has tenants like The New York Times, Allstate Insurance and LA Fitness. Even the United Nations used it in the 1960s. Planning and efficiency on the part of Hygrade crews allowed them to keep the tenants happy by applying as much roofing in 30 days as some companies do all year.