Making Metal Marvelous
Hi-Tech Metals brings buildings to new levels through beauty and quality
Manny Velis, Chris Doulou and Jay Valentino are the proud owners of Hi-Tech Metals Inc., an architectural metal fabrication company. They put as much diligence into their work as they do passion. It is difficult for them to put into words exactly what they actually do.
“We get phone calls all the time, people asking us what we are capable of, and the truth is, we do not have many limitations,” Manny says. “Our shop is designed to make anything out of metal. When people visit us, they’re in awe of all that we have and all that we do,” He and his team welcome architects, engineers, contractors and building owners to tour their facility at any time. “Everyone is so amazed at the variety of work we do,” Manny adds.
Located just three miles from Manhattan in the Maspeth community of Queens, New York, the 65,000-square-foot fabrication facility houses 130 employees and stocks an inventory of over $1 million in materials that allows them to start working on jobs immediately.
Hi-Tech Metals performs complete design and installation of architectural metal. They design walls, canopies, arches, doorways, handrails, escalators, elevators and so much more. And when they say “complete,” they mean it. With all services performed under one roof, the team can work quickly and in a coordinated fashion to give clients reduced turnaround times, greater work efficiency and quality control. The firm prides itself on the unique attributes of its products. Manny states: “The more complicated the project, the more we like it. We create tough, complicated and beautiful designs.”
Inspired Design and Execution
Inspired by the mechanics of architecture and the endless possibilities for design and aesthetics, the Hi-Tech team blends value engineering and design with natural materials and creative methods to produce stunning and unique products.
A case in point is the dramatic copper and zinc facade of the 325 Kent apartment community in the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn. Designed by SHoP Architects and constructed by Two Trees Management, the building’s unique exterior creates a distinguished street presence, with the copper and zinc emulating texture and depth.
“I have known Chris Doulou and Hi-Tech Metals for 20 years now,” comments Jed Walentas, a principal at Two Trees Management. “The quality of their work is superseded only by their character. Chris and Manny and their team are an absolute pleasure to do business with, and I could not be more proud of their success.”
This is just one of many unique applications that showcase the Hi-Tech team’s creative and inventive solutions. To understand the breadth of Hi-Tech’s skills requires a look into their portfolio, which includes the following projects:
- An onyx wall in the Park Hyatt New York, on W. 57th St., is the focal point for a dramatic event space, complementing 18-foot-high painted aluminum wall dividers in the lobby lounge.
- The large-scale redevelopment of Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s West Side is one of the most talked about construction projects in New York City. Working with W&W Glass, LLC, Hi-Tech created architectural glass and leather cladded handrails and interior elements for high-end retailer, Coach, Inc. (now known as Tapestry Inc.).
- Value engineering for Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (formerly Host Marriott Corporation) for its atrium renovation including the round elevator cab structures.
- Value engineering for the 14-foot cascading water towers in the lobby at New York Marriott Marquis hotel, located in the theater district on Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets in New York’s Times Square.
- A $50 million redevelopment of 10 E. 53rd St. was transformational for this Manhattan high-rise. Working for Alumaline, Hi-Tech created lobby canopies and an art wall, which Manny says the clients “adore.” Its $3 million price tag underscores the importance of this lobby metalwork to the owner.
Working with David Shuldiner, the firm has also completed millions of dollars of work for various sports stadiums. Hi-Tech provided the facade for Yankee Stadium. They also spent three years—working around the clock—to fabricate all ceiling trim and drink rails for the owner’s private club in Madison Square Garden.
The team takes particular pride in work they performed on behalf of Julissa Casting, Inc. for the Capitol of Puerto Rico, also known as the Palace of the Laws. Built in 1929, the neoclassical building is a centerpiece and symbol for the residents of the Commonwealth. To protect and preserve the landmark, Hi-Tech participated in its five-year renovation. The firm re-created over 250 ornate bronze windows with custom extrusions and hurricane-resistant glass. The project was valued at over several million dollars. “Our client called after the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017,” says Manny. “They said not one drop of water came into the building. Our windows withstood the storm. We were pretty proud.”
A Heritage of Growth
Hi-Tech Metals came to life in 1989 and has proven its mettle year after year. The company grossed $600,000 in its first year, doubled its revenue the second year, grew to just under $2 million in its third year and now averages $17 million to $20 million annually. Manny’s two sons, Michael and James, and Chris’ two sons, Tom and Danny, are all active in the company. “It’s a tremendous boost of energy to have them here and see them love the business,” Manny says. “But we’ve learned a lot in 30 years and can’t just pass it on. It takes a decade to understand this business from a technical standpoint—it has to be experienced.
See It to Believe It
Manny says that clients refer other customers to them “because we’re a shop that can do anything under this roof, and we do things faster and better. People are amazed when they come here and actually see all that we do. People visit our shop and tell us ‘You guys can do everything!’ ” Manny welcomes fellow tradesmen to come see for themselves. “We’re here all the time and proud to show you around,” he adds.